WI-FI mesh backhaul link TX biasing for better end-to-end throughput and latency

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure allow for improved E2E mesh throughput by applying transmission (TX) bias values over a Wi-Fi mesh backhaul. Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a solution for reducing traffic load in a Wi-Fi mesh network by applying a TX bias value on a Wi-Fi mesh backhaul. Certain aspects are directed to selectively sending data to a first MLD on a first backhaul link or preventing sending data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on a forward air time utilization, a first backhaul air time utilization, or a second backhaul air time utilization. Doing so allows the root access point or the network controller to apply a TX bias between the multi-link operating links towards each duplicator, by selectively sending data on the backhaul link or preventing data from being sent on the backhaul link, therefore, the service load on the backhaul link does not excessively occupy the forward link due to the use of the common channel.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 17 / 934,155, filed on September 21, 2022, and entitled “WI-FI MESH BACKHAULLINK TX BIASING FOR BETTER END-TO-END THROUGHPUT AND DELAY,” which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly, to a wireless communication system between an access point (AP) and a repeater. Background Art

[0004] A wireless local area network (WLAN) may be formed by one or more access points (APs) that provide a shared wireless communication medium for use by multiple client devices, also referred to as stations (STAs). The basic building block of a WLAN that complies with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series of standards is the basic service set (BSS), which is managed by the AP. Each BSS is identified by a basic service set identifier (BSSID) advertised by the AP. The AP periodically broadcasts beacon frames to enable any STA within the wireless range of the AP to establish or maintain a communication link with the WLAN.

[0005] The network nodes can be used to form a wireless mesh network. A feature of a mesh network is that there are usually multiple paths through the network that a given user or client can use to reach an access point. An example of a mesh network is an 802.11 access grid. If a group of clients in close geographical locations are equipped with 802.11 cards, they can communicate with other clients through a series of jumps until they reach the AP of the mesh network. Typically, the AP is connected to a fixed network using a point-to-point link (such as optical fiber, copper loop) or via another wireless transmission. Due to latency and system complexity, the number of wireless router jumps is usually maintained at a certain maximum value, such as six. This limits the coverage of the wireless mesh network to a "cluster" or neighborhood community, which is connected to the fixed network via an access point. Additional access points can be added to reduce the number of jumps between the client and the AP, and thus reduce the latency and the amount of bandwidth occupied on the grid. Summary of the invention

[0006] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is neither intended to identify key or important elements of all aspects, nor to delimit the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description that is introduced later.

[0007] In one aspect, the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may be an AP. The apparatus may include a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to: receive a report indicating forward transport air time utilization in a first frequency band of a forward transport link between a first multi-link device (MLD) and a network entity. The processor is also configured to: determine the first backhaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a first backhaul link between the apparatus and the first MLD and the second backhaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a second backhaul link between the apparatus and the first MLD. The apparatus may be in a second MLD. The processor is also configured to: selectively send data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or prevent data from being sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the forward transport air time utilization, the first backhaul air time utilization, or the second backhaul air time utilization.

[0008] In another aspect, the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented in a method for wireless communication at an AP. The method includes: receiving a report indicating a forward transport air time utilization in a first frequency band of a forward transport link between a first multi-link device (MLD) and a network entity. The method also includes: determining a first backhaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a first backhaul link between the AP and the first MLD and a second backhaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a second backhaul link between the AP and the first MLD. The AP may be located in a second MLD. The method also includes: selectively sending data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or preventing data from being sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the forward transport air time utilization, the first backhaul air time utilization, or the second backhaul air time utilization.

[0009] In another aspect, the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may be a station (STA) or an AP acting as a repeater or a relay. The apparatus may include a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to: send a report indicating the utilization of the fronthaul air time in the first frequency band of the fronthaul link between the apparatus and the network entity. The apparatus may be in a first MLD, and the network entity may be a client device, such as a user equipment (UE). The processor is also configured to: selectively receive data on the first backhaul link or prevent receiving data on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization, or the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link between the apparatus and the second MLD.

[0010] In another aspect, the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented in a method of wireless communication at a first network entity. The first network entity may be a station (STA) or an AP acting as a repeater or a relay. The method includes: receiving a report indicating a fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a fronthaul link between the first network entity and a second network entity. The first network entity may be in a first MLD, and the second network entity may be a client device, such as a UE. The method also includes: selectively receiving data on the first backhaul link or preventing receiving data on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization, or the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link between the device and the second MLD.

[0011] To accomplish the above and related ends, one or more aspects include the features fully described below and particularly indicated in the claims. The following description and the accompanying drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of one or more aspects. However, these features are merely indicative of several ways in which the principles of the various aspects may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and an access network.

[0013] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the hardware aspects of an access point (AP) and two stations (STAs).

[0014] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of end-to-end (E2E) throughput affected by interference of a backhaul link with a fronthaul link.

[0015] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of mesh network statistics.

[0016] Figure 5 A call flow diagram between an access point and a repeater is shown.

[0017] Figure 6 An example flow chart illustrating a method of wireless communication at an AP is shown.

[0018] Figure 7 An example flow chart illustrating a method of wireless communication at an AP is shown.

[0019] Figure 8 An example flow chart illustrating a method of wireless communication at a repeater is shown.

[0020] Fig. 9 An example flow chart illustrating a method of wireless communication at a repeater is shown.

[0021] Fig.10 is a diagram showing an example of extending a transmit (TX) bias on a multi-link operation (MLO) link to a multi-repeater grid.

[0022] Fig.11 An example flow chart illustrating a method of wireless communication is shown.

[0023] Fig.12 An example flow chart illustrating a method of wireless communication is shown.

[0024] Fig.13 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device is shown.

[0025] Fig.14A A block diagram of an example AP is shown.

[0026] Fig. 14B A block diagram of an example apparatus is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configuration in which the concepts described herein may be implemented. For the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of each concept, the detailed description includes specific details. However, the concepts and related aspects described in this disclosure may be implemented without some or all of the details in such specific details. In some cases, well-known structures, components, etc. are shown in the form of block diagrams to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0028] Wi-Fi Multi-Link Operation (MLO) can increase the total capacity for an independent Basic Service Set (BSS) by utilizing two MLO links. However, in a Wi-Fi mesh, when the transmission (TX) of a repeater on the backhaul link overlaps in the frequency band of its TX on the fronthaul link, using two MLO links on the backhaul link may reduce the end-to-end (E2E) throughput. Therefore, when multiple backhaul links are not a bottleneck for providing E2E throughput, it would be helpful if there is a method for reducing the traffic load on the backhaul link interfering with the fronthaul link.

[0029] Aspects of the present disclosure allow for improved E2E mesh throughput by reducing the traffic load on the backhaul link that interferes with the fronthaul link (e.g., by selectively sending data on the backhaul link or preventing data from being sent on the backhaul link). Aspects of the present disclosure may apply TX bias on the Wi-Fi mesh backhaul. Doing so allows a root access point or network controller to apply TX bias between multi-link operating links toward each repeater so that the traffic load on the backhaul link does not overly occupy the fronthaul link due to common channel usage. Thus, to improve E2E mesh throughput, TX bias may be applied to the Wi-Fi mesh backhaul.

[0030] Various aspects of the system, device, computer program product and method are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure can be embodied in a variety of different forms, and should not be interpreted as being limited to any specific structure or function given throughout the present disclosure. On the contrary, these aspects are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and the scope of the present disclosure will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings of this article, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the system, device, computer program product and method disclosed herein, whether it is implemented independently of other aspects of the present disclosure or implemented in combination with other aspects of the present disclosure. For example, using any number of aspects set forth herein, a device can be implemented or a method can be implemented. In addition, the scope of protection of the present disclosure is intended to cover such a device or method that is practiced using other structures, functions, or structures and functions other than the various aspects of the present disclosure set forth herein, or structures, functions, or structures and functions different from the various aspects of the present disclosure set forth herein. Any aspect disclosed herein can be embodied by one or more elements of the claims.

[0031] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various devices and methods. These devices and methods will be described in the detailed description below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0032] As an example, an element, or any part of an element, or any combination of elements may be implemented as a "processing system" including one or more processors (which may also be referred to as a processing unit). One or more processors in a processing system may execute software. Software may be broadly interpreted as meaning instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, processes, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language or other terms. The term application may refer to software. As described herein, one or more technologies may refer to applications configured to perform one or more functions, i.e., software. In such examples, an application may be stored on a memory, for example, an on-chip memory, a system memory, or any other memory of a processor. The hardware described herein (such as a processor) may be configured to execute an application. For example, an application may be described as including a code that causes the hardware to execute one or more technologies described herein when executed by hardware. For example, the hardware may access code from a memory and execute the code accessed from the memory to perform one or more technologies described herein. In some examples, components are identified in the present disclosure. In such examples, the components may be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The components may be separate components or subcomponents of a single component.

[0033] Accordingly, in one or more example embodiments, the functions described may be implemented with hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented with software, the functions may be stored or encoded as one or more instructions or computer executable codes on a computer readable medium. Computer readable media include computer storage media. Storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of computer readable media of the above types, or any other medium that may be used to store computer executable codes that can be accessed by a computer in the form of instructions or data structures.

[0034] MLO technology enables seamless network traffic by negotiating while aggregating multiple channels on different frequency bands, even in the presence of interference or congestion. As a result, MLO can greatly increase speeds, allow for more efficient mesh networks, and provide post-interference mitigation techniques to ensure wireless devices are always connected quickly and reliably. For example, Wi-Fi MLO can increase the total capacity for an independent BSS by utilizing two MLO links. However, in a Wi-Fi mesh network, the use of two MLO links on the backhaul link may reduce E2E throughput when the TX of a repeater on the backhaul link overlaps in the frequency band of its TX on the fronthaul link. Therefore, if there is sufficient capacity in the multi-link backhaul to provide E2E traffic to the fronthaul link, it would be helpful to determine whether intra-network interference is limiting the E2E throughput across each repeater and apply TX bias between the MLO links.

[0035] Figure 1 1 is a network diagram illustrating an example wireless communication network 100. According to some aspects, the wireless communication network 100 may be an example of a wireless local area network (WLAN) such as a Wi-Fi network (and will be referred to as the wireless communication network 100 hereinafter). For example, the wireless communication network 100 may be a network implementing at least one of the IEEE 802.11 series of wireless communication protocol standards (such as defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its amendments, including but not limited to 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be). The wireless communication network 100 may include numerous wireless communication devices, such as an access point (AP) 102 and a plurality of stations (STAs) 104. Although only one AP 102 is shown, the wireless communication network 100 may also include a plurality of APs 102 (e.g., a plurality of APs as part of an AP multi-link device (MLD)).

[0036] Certain aspects of the present disclosure may relate to multi-link operation (MLO) communication between wireless MLDs. Each MLD may have a unique media access control (MAC) address, which is also referred to as a MAC service access point (MAC-SAP) endpoint. An example of an MLD device is an AP MLD 102 including multiple APs, each of which is capable of communicating on one of multiple communication links and establishing a basic service set (BSS) on multiple communication links. Another example of an MLD device is a STA MLD 104 (e.g., a non-AP MLD) including multiple STAs, the multiple STAs including being capable of communicating with other devices (such as AP MLD 102) on multiple communication links. For each of the multiple communication links, the STA MLD 104 may have a media access control physical layer (MAC-PHY) instance, and the MAC address of each MAC-PHY instance may be the same or different.

[0037] Each of the STAs 104 may also be referred to as a mobile station (MS), a mobile device, a mobile handheld device, a wireless handheld device, an access terminal (AT), a user equipment (UE), a user station (SS), a non-AP MLD or a subscriber unit, and other examples. The STAs 104 may represent various devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks, notebook computers, tablet computers, laptop computers, display devices (e.g., TVs, computer monitors, navigation systems, etc.), music or other audio or stereo equipment, remote control devices (“remote controls”), printers, kitchen or other home appliances, key fobs (e.g., for passive keyless entry and start (PKES) systems), and other examples.

[0038] A single AP 102 and a set of associated STAs 104 may be referred to as a basic service set (BSS), which is managed by the corresponding AP 102 . Figure 1Also shown is an example coverage area 108 of the AP 102, which may represent a basic service area (BSA) of the wireless communication network 100. The BSS may be identified to users by a service set identifier (SSID) and to other devices by a basic service set identifier (BSSID), which may be a medium access control (MAC) address of the AP 102. The AP 102 periodically broadcasts a beacon frame including the BSSID to enable any STA 104 within the wireless range of the AP 102 to "associate" or re-associate with the AP 102 to establish a corresponding communication link 106 (hereinafter also referred to as a "Wi-Fi link") with the AP 102, or to maintain a communication link 106 with the AP 102. For example, the beacon may include an identification of a primary channel used by the corresponding AP 102 and a timing synchronization function for establishing or maintaining timing synchronization with the AP 102. The AP 102 may provide access to external networks to various STAs 104 in the WLAN via corresponding communication links 106.

[0039] To establish a communication link 106 with an AP 102, each of the STAs 104 is configured to perform a passive or active scanning operation ("scan") on a frequency channel in one or more frequency bands (e.g., a 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, or 60 GHz band). To perform a passive scan, the STA 104 listens for beacons sent by the corresponding AP 102 at periodic time intervals, referred to as target beacon transmission times (TBTT) (measured in time units (TUs), one TU of which may be equal to 1024 microseconds (μs)). To perform an active scan, the STA 104 generates and sequentially sends a probe request on each channel to be scanned, and listens for a probe response from the AP 102. Each STA 104 may be configured to identify or select an AP 102 to associate with based on the scan information obtained through the passive or active scan, and perform authentication and association operations to establish a communication link 106 with the selected AP 102. At the end of the association operation, the AP 102 assigns the STA 104 an association identifier (AID) that the AP 102 uses to track the STA 104 .

[0040] Due to the increasing popularity of wireless networks, STA 104 may have the opportunity to select a BSS among many BSSs within the range of the STA, or select among multiple APs 102 that together form an extended service set (ESS) including multiple connected BSSs. The extended network station associated with the wireless communication network 100 can be connected to a wired or wireless distribution system that can allow multiple APs 102 to be connected in such an ESS. In this way, STA 104 can be covered by more than one AP 102 and can be associated with different APs 102 at different times for different transmissions. In addition, after associating with an AP 102, the STA 104 can also be configured to periodically scan its surroundings to find a more suitable AP 102 to associate with. For example, a STA 104 that moves relative to its associated AP 102 can perform a "roaming" scan to find another AP 102 with more ideal network characteristics (such as a larger received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or a reduced traffic load).

[0041] In some cases, STA 104 can form a network without AP 102 or other devices other than STA 104 itself. An example of such a network is a self-organizing network (or wireless self-organizing network). A self-organizing network can be alternatively referred to as a mesh network or a point-to-point (P2P) network. In some cases, a self-organizing network can be implemented in a larger wireless network such as a wireless communication network 100. In such an implementation, although STA 104 can communicate with each other through AP 102 using a communication link 106, STA 104 can also communicate directly with each other via a direct wireless link 110. In addition, two STAs 104 can communicate via a direct communication link 110, regardless of whether the two STAs 104 are associated with the same AP 102 and provided with services by the same AP 102. In such a self-organizing system, one or more of STA 104 can assume the role played by AP 102 in the BSS. Such STA 104 can be referred to as a group owner (GO) and can coordinate transmission within the self-organizing network. Examples of direct wireless link 110 include a Wi-Fi direct connection, a connection established by using a Wi-Fi Tunnel Direct Link Setup (TDLS) link, and other P2P group connections.

[0042] Each of the frequency bands may include multiple sub-channels or frequency channels. For example, a PPDU compliant with IEEE 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and 802.11be standard revisions may be sent on a 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz frequency band, each of which is divided into multiple 20 MHz channels. Therefore, these PPDUs are sent over a physical channel with a minimum bandwidth of 20 MHz, but larger channels may be formed through channel bonding. For example, a PPDU may be sent on a physical channel with a bandwidth of 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160, or 320 MHz by bonding multiple 20 MHz channels together.

[0043] Each PPDU is a composite structure including a PHY preamble and a payload in the form of a PHY service data unit (PSDU). The information provided in the preamble can be used by the receiving device to decode subsequent data in the PSDU. In an instance in which the PPDU is sent via a bonded channel, the preamble field can be copied and sent in each of the multiple component channels. The PHY preamble may include a traditional part (or "traditional preamble") and a non-traditional part (or "non-traditional preamble"). Traditional preambles can be used for purposes such as packet detection, automatic gain control, and channel estimation. Traditional preambles can also be generally used to maintain compatibility with legacy devices. The information provided in the non-traditional part of the preamble, as well as the format and encoding of the information, is based on a specific IEEE 802.11 protocol for sending a payload.

[0044] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an AP 102 and two STAs 104a and 104x in a BSS. The AP 102 is equipped with N t STA 120m is equipped with N antennas 224a to 224ap. ut,m antennas 252ma to 252mu, and STA 120x is equipped with N ut,xAntennas 252xa to 252xu. AP 102 is a transmitting entity for downlink and a receiving entity for uplink. Each STA104 is a transmitting entity for uplink and a receiving entity for downlink. As used herein, a "transmitting entity" is an independently operated device or equipment capable of sending data via a wireless channel, and a "receiving entity" is an independently operated device or equipment capable of receiving data via a wireless channel. In the following description, the subscript "dn" represents a downlink, the subscript "up" represents an uplink, Nup user terminals are selected for simultaneous transmission on the uplink, Ndn user terminals are selected for simultaneous transmission on the downlink, Nup may be equal to or may not be equal to Ndn, and Nup and Ndn may be static values, or may change within each scheduling interval. At the access point and user terminal, beam steering or some other spatial processing technology may be used.

[0045] On the uplink, at each STA 104 selected for uplink transmission, a transmit (TX) data processor 288 receives traffic data from a data source 286 and control data from a controller 280. The TX data processor 288 processes (e.g., encodes, interleaves, and modulates) the traffic data for the user terminal based on a coding and modulation scheme associated with the rate selected for the user terminal and provides a data symbol stream. The TX spatial processor 290 performs spatial processing on the data symbol stream and performs spatial processing on the N STA 104. ut,m The antennas provide N ut,m Each transmitter unit (TMTR) 254 receives and processes (eg, converts to analog signals, amplifies, filters, and up-converts) a respective transmit symbol stream to generate an uplink signal. ut,m The transmitter unit 254 provides N ut,m Uplink signals from N ut,m The antennas 252 transmit to the AP 102.

[0046] Nup STAs may be scheduled for simultaneous transmission on the uplink. Each of these STAs performs spatial processing on its data symbol stream and sends its set of transmit symbol streams to AP 102 on the uplink.

[0047] At AP 102, N ap Each antenna 224a through 224ap receives uplink signals from all Nup STAs transmitting on the uplink. Each antenna 224 provides a received signal to a corresponding receiver unit (RCVR) 222. Each receiver unit 222 performs processing complementary to that performed by transmitter unit 254 and provides a received symbol stream. RX spatial processor 240 processes the Nup STAs from the Nup STAs. apN of the receiver units 222 ap The receiver performs receiver spatial processing on the received symbol streams and provides Nup recovered uplink data symbol streams. Receiver spatial processing is performed according to channel correlation matrix inversion (CCMI), minimum mean square error (MMSE), soft interference cancellation (SIC) or some other technology. Each recovered uplink data symbol stream is an estimate of the data symbol stream sent by the corresponding STA. The RX data processor 242 processes (e.g., demodulates, deinterleaves and decodes) the stream according to the rate used for each recovered uplink data symbol stream to obtain decoded data. The decoded data for each user terminal can be provided to the data host 244 for storage and / or provided to the controller 230 for further processing.

[0048] On the downlink, at the AP 102, the TX data processor 210 receives traffic data scheduled for downlink transmission for the Ndn STAs from the data source 208, as well as control data from the controller 230 and possibly other data from the scheduler 234. Various types of data may be sent on different transmission channels. The TX data processor 210 processes (e.g., encodes, interleaves, and modulates) the traffic data for each STA based on a rate selected for the STA. The TX data processor 210 provides Ndn downlink data symbol streams for the Ndn STAs. The TX spatial processor 220 performs spatial processing (such as precoding or beamforming, as described in the present disclosure) on the Ndn downlink data symbol streams, and performs spatial processing (such as precoding or beamforming, as described in the present disclosure) on the Ndn downlink data symbol streams. ap The antennas provide N ap Each transmitter unit 222 receives and processes its own transmit symbol stream to generate a downlink signal. ap The transmitter units 222 provide N ap Downlink signals for N ap The antennas 224 transmit to the STAs.

[0049] At each STA 120, N ut,m The antenna 252 receives N signals from the AP 102. ap downlink signals. Each receiver unit 254 processes the received signal from an associated antenna 252 and provides a received symbol stream. RX spatial processor 260 processes the received signal from N ut,m N of the receiver units 254 ut,mThe RX data processor 270 performs receiver spatial processing on the received symbol streams and provides a recovered downlink data symbol stream for the STA. The receiver spatial processing is performed according to CCMI, MMSE, or some other technique. The RX data processor 270 processes (e.g., demodulates, deinterleaves, and decodes) the recovered downlink data symbol stream to obtain decoded data for the user terminal.

[0050] At each STA 120, a channel estimator 278 estimates the downlink channel response and provides a downlink channel estimate, which may include a channel gain estimate, an SNR estimate, a noise variance, and the like. Similarly, a channel estimator 228 estimates the uplink channel response and provides an uplink channel estimate. Typically, a controller 280 for each STA derives a spatial filter matrix for a user terminal based on a downlink channel response matrix Hdn,m, for the user terminal. A controller 230 derives a spatial filter matrix for an access point based on an effective uplink channel response matrix Hup,eff,. A controller 280 for each STA may send feedback information (e.g., downlink and / or uplink eigenvectors, eigenvalues, SNR estimates, and the like) to the access point. Controllers 230 and 280 also control the operation of various processing units at AP 102 and STA 104, respectively.

[0051] Devices (e.g., AP 102 and STA 104) can use wireless signaling to create an ad hoc network (e.g., a mesh network) to exchange information about the WAN / WLAN mobile environment. A mesh network can include multiple APs 102 connected together to connect one or more clients or STAs 104 to a WAN, such as the Internet. One or more APs 102 can include a wired backhaul connection to the WAN.

[0052] A mesh network may be created by establishing radio links between multiple APs 102. The radio links may be implemented using any suitable wireless protocol, including, for example, IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.20 (Wi-Max), Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband (UWB), or any other wireless protocol with any suitable underlying air interface. Examples of air interfaces include Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), and the like. In addition, the various concepts disclosed throughout the present disclosure may be extended to wide area networks that employ various wireless protocols, including, for example, CDMA2000, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), and the like. The specific wireless protocol used for any mesh network will vary depending on the specific application and the overall design constraints imposed on the entire system.

[0053] Reducing the traffic load between MLO links in a mesh network is critical to improving E2E mesh throughput and quality of service (QoS) for communications. For example, Wi-Fi MLO can increase the total capacity for a standalone BSS by utilizing two MLO links.

[0054] However, in a Wi-Fi mesh network, when the TX of a repeater on the backhaul link overlaps in the frequency band of its TX on the fronthaul link, using two MLO links on the backhaul link may reduce the E2E throughput. Therefore, when multiple backhaul links together are not a bottleneck for providing E2E traffic, applying TX biasing on a Wi-Fi mesh network can reduce the traffic load on the backhaul link that interferes with the fronthaul link (e.g., by selectively sending data on the backhaul link or preventing data from being sent on the backhaul link).

[0055] Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a solution for reducing traffic load in a Wi-Fi mesh network by applying TX bias on a Wi-Fi mesh backhaul. In one example, in the case of heavy backhaul traffic load, based on the impact of intra-network interference on the E2E throughput across each repeater, if the multi-link backhaul has sufficient capacity to provide E2E traffic to the fronthaul, the root AP (or network controller) is configured to apply TX bias between the MLO links toward each repeater so that the traffic load of the backhaul link does not over-occupy the fronthaul link due to shared channel usage. In another example, in the case of light backhaul traffic load, the root AP (or network controller) is configured to apply TX bias so that the traffic is directed to a preferred band link (e.g., 6 GHz band), thereby reserving the remaining channels open (e.g., 5 GHz band) for STAs in the mesh network that do not have TX bias capability, and only using two MLO links when traffic demand is high.

[0056] Figure 3 An example 300 of E2E throughput affected by interference of a backhaul link with a fronthaul link is shown. In the example 300, a repeater 304 has a first backhaul link 308 in a 240 MHz bandwidth with a root AP 302 on a 5G band, a second backhaul link 312 in a 320 MHz bandwidth with the root AP 302 on a 6G band, and a first fronthaul link 310 in a 160 MHz bandwidth with a client 306 on a 5G band. In this example 300, the bottleneck is not on the two backhaul links 308, 312. Instead, the bottleneck is on the first fronthaul link 310.

[0057] In addition, the TX of the repeater 304 on the backhaul link 308 overlaps the frequency band (e.g., 5G) of the TX on its fronthaul link 310. Therefore, since the bottleneck is on the first fronthaul link 310 (and not on the first backhaul link 308 and the second backhaul link 312), the traffic may be reduced by using both the first backhaul link 308 and the second backhaul link 312, thereby reducing the E2E throughput.

[0058] The root AP 302 (or network controller) may be configured to determine whether intra-network interference limits the E2E throughput across each repeater 304. The root AP 302 may also be configured to determine whether another band has sufficient capacity to serve all traffic without using the remaining band to interfere with STAs without TX bias capability.

[0059] In case of heavy backhaul traffic load, based on the impact of intra-network interference on the E2E throughput across each repeater, if the multi-link backhaul 308, 312 has sufficient capacity to provide E2E traffic to the fronthaul link 310, the root AP 302 (or network controller) applies TX bias between the MLO links 308, 312 toward the repeater 304 so that the traffic load on the backhaul link 308 does not overly occupy the fronthaul link 310 due to its shared channel usage. For heavy backhaul load TX bias, there may be several options to limit the packet release on the backhaul MLO link 308 to limit the air time occupation on one backhaul link 308 while fully utilizing the other backhaul link 312. In addition, the backhaul link TX bias may need to be applied per backhaul band per repeater.

[0060] In case of light backhaul traffic load, the root AP 302 (or network controller) applies TX bias so that the traffic goes to the preferred band link (e.g., 6G band), thereby completely opening the remaining channels to STAs in the mesh network that do not have TX bias capability, and only using both MLO links 308 and 312 when traffic demand becomes high.

[0061] Although not shown, example 300 may also include a second fronthaul link in the 320 MHz bandwidth on the 6G band with client 306. Additionally, and not shown in the figure, example 300 may also include a second fronthaul link to additional clients on the 6G 320 frequency.

[0062] Figure 4 Example 400 showing mesh network statistics for determining air time utilization 402 A mesh controller may collect mesh network statistics related to air time utilization 402 to determine if intra-network interference is limiting E2E throughput across repeaters.

[0063] Air time utilization 402 refers to how much time on a channel is available for data transmission. Any time a device is communicating with another device or an AP, it is using air time. Air time utilization 402 is a statistic for each channel that defines the percentage of the channel that is currently in use, and therefore the percentage that is idle. For example, air time usage may come from data traffic to and from client devices, interference from Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi sources, or management overhead from APs and clients. Specifically, the mesh controller may collect an air time utilization 402 combination for each fronthaul band from each repeater and an air time utilization combination for each backhaul band from the root AP. For example, referring to Figure 3 , the mesh controller may collect the air time utilization combination for each fronthaul frequency band 310 from each repeater 304, and the air time utilization combination for each backhaul frequency band 308, 312 from the root AP 302. The root AP may include the mesh controller, or the mesh controller may be located in a server, or located elsewhere outside the root AP.

[0064] In this example, the mesh network statistics report may include at least the air time percentage of the in-network basic service set (In-BSS) traffic 404, the air time percentage of the in-network overlapping basic service set (OBSS) traffic 406, the air time percentage of the idle time 408, and the air time percentage of the out-of-network OBSS 410 traffic. Figure 3 , the In-BSS traffic 404 air time percentage may correspond to a measurement of the backhaul link 308 from the perspective of the root AP 302. For example, referring again to Figure 3 , the OBSS traffic 406 air time percentage corresponds to the measurement of the fronthaul link 310 from the perspective of the root AP 302. STA traffic without TX bias capability can be included in the OBSS 410 traffic air time percentage.

[0065] Therefore, the mesh network statistics can help the root AP determine whether the In-BSS traffic 404 or the OBSS traffic interferes with each other. Figure 3 , the root AP 302 can determine whether the In-BSS traffic on the backhaul link 308 or the OBSS traffic on the front backhaul link 310 is a problem with each other. If there is a lot of idle time 408, interference may not be considered a problem. However, if the In-BSS traffic 404 and the idle time 408 are close to the out-of-network OBSS 410, there may not be more air time. For example, the percentage of idle time is minimized so that the total percentage of In-BSS traffic 404 and in-network OBSS traffic 406 accounts for almost all of the remaining total utilization that is not occupied by the out-of-network OBSS 410.

[0066] Figure 5 5 is a diagram of a call flow 500 between a root AP 502 and a repeater 504. The call flow 500 illustrates an exemplary sequence of operations performed between the root AP 502 and the repeater 504. For example, the call flow 500 depicts operations for applying a TX bias on a Wi-Fi mesh backhaul link by selectively sending data on the backhaul link or preventing data from being sent on the backhaul link. It should be understood that one or more of the operations described in the call flow 500 may be performed earlier or later in the process, omitted, replaced, supplemented, or performed in combination with another operation. In addition, additional operations described herein that are not included in the call flow 500 may be included in the call flow 500.

[0067] The root AP 502 may correspond to an AP 102, 302, 1402. The repeater 504 may correspond to a STA 104, 120, a device 1404, or another AP 102, 302, 1402. The repeater may be located in a first MLD, and the root AP may be located in a second MLD.

[0068] First, the root AP 502 may be configured to receive a report indicating fronthaul air time utilization 506 using mesh network statistics. Figure 4 , fronthaul air time utilization 402 may be determined using the mesh network statistics shown in example 400 .

[0069] The root AP 502 may also be configured to determine a first backhaul air time utilization in a first frequency band for a first backhaul link between the root AP 502 and the repeater 504, and a second backhaul air time utilization in a second frequency band for a second backhaul link 508 between the root AP 502 and the repeater 504. Figure 3 , the root AP 302 can obtain a first backhaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a first backhaul link 308 between the root AP 302 and the repeater 304, and a second backhaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a second backhaul link 312 between the root AP 302 and the repeater 304.

[0070] The root AP 502 may also be configured to selectively send data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or prevent sending data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization or the first backhaul air time utilization. In one aspect, when the root AP 502 prevents initial transmission of data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization, the root AP 502 may delay transmission of the data by sending the data at a subsequent time (e.g., when there is less contention). For example, a scheduling delay may be applied on a congested backhaul link toward a repeater. In another example, packet transmissions may be selectively scheduled on a congested MLO link toward a repeater. For example, referring to Figure 3 , the root AP 302 can selectively send data to the repeater 304 on the first backhaul link 308 or refrain from sending data to the repeater 304 on the first backhaul link 308 based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization, the first backhaul air time utilization, or the second backhaul air time utilization.

[0071] In some aspects, the root AP 502 may also be configured to send data to the first MLD over the second backhaul link. Figure 3 , the root AP 302 can send data to the repeater 304 on the second backhaul link 312.

[0072] In this manner, E2E mesh throughput may be improved by applying TX bias on the Wi-Fi mesh backhaul. Thus, the root AP 502 may obtain air time utilization statistics in different frequency bands to determine if intra-network interference is limiting E2E throughput across the repeater. If the first active fronthaul frequency band air time utilization exceeds an air time utilization threshold, a TX bias may be applied to both backhaul links toward the repeater to reduce the traffic load on the backhaul link interfering with the fronthaul link. In some aspects, the air time utilization threshold may be 90%, and as high as 100%.

[0073] Figure 6 An example flow chart illustrating a method 600 of wireless communication at an access point is shown. The method 600 may be performed by or at a device (e.g., AP 102, 302, 502), another wireless communication device (e.g., WCD 1300, AP 1402), or one or more components thereof. According to various aspects, one or more of the illustrated methods 600 may be omitted, swapped, and / or performed simultaneously. This method 600 allows for application of TX bias on a Wi-Fi mesh backhaul.

[0074] Method 600 may be performed by a device such as WCD 1300 or AP 1402, as described below. In some implementations, method 600 is performed by processing logic including hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, method 600 is performed by a processor executing code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory).

[0075] At operation 602, the device is configured to receive a report indicating fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a fronthaul link between a first MLD and a network entity. In one aspect, the apparatus may be a root AP, the network entity may be a UE, and the first MLD may include a repeater. For example, referring back to Figure 3-5 , the device 302, 502 may receive a report from the repeater 304, 504 indicating the fronthaul air time utilization 506 in the first frequency band (e.g., 5G frequency band) of the fronthaul link 310 between the first MLD (e.g., the repeater 304, 504) and the network entity (e.g., the client 306). In another example, referring to Figure 4 , fronthaul air time utilization 402 may be determined based on monitoring the mesh network statistics listed in example 400 .

[0076] In one aspect, the report may include: a percentage of air time of basic service set (BSS) traffic within the network, a percentage of air time of overlapping basic service set (OBSS) traffic, a percentage of idle air time, and a station (STA) traffic load. The apparatus may be configured to selectively send data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or prevent sending data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the percentage of air time of BSS traffic, the percentage of air time of OBSS traffic, the percentage of idle air time, and the STA traffic load. For example, referring to Figure 4 , the report may include In-BSS traffic 404, In-network OBSS traffic 406, Idle time 408, and Out-of-network OBSS 410. In one aspect, the report may include second fronthaul air time utilization in a second frequency band (e.g., a 6G frequency band) of a second fronthaul link between the first MLD and the network entity or a second network entity (e.g., the same or different client).

[0077] At operation 604, the device is further configured to determine a first backhaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a first backhaul link between the device and the first MLD and a second backhaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a second backhaul link between the device and the first MLD. The device may be in the second MLD. For example, referring to Figure 3-5, AP 502 can obtain a first backhaul air time utilization 402 in a first frequency band (e.g., 5G band) of a first backhaul link 308 between a device (e.g., AP 502) and a first MLD (e.g., repeaters 304, 504), and a second backhaul air time utilization in a second frequency band (e.g., 6G band) of a second backhaul link 312 between the device (e.g., AP 502) and the first MLD (e.g., repeaters 304, 504).

[0078] At operation 606, the apparatus may also be configured to selectively send data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or prevent sending data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization or the first backhaul air time utilization. Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the AP (root AP 302, 502) can selectively send data to the first MLD (repeater 304, 504) on the first backhaul link 308 or prevent data from being sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link 308. Fig.11 Further details of this aspect are described (eg, at block 1112).

[0079] In one aspect, data may be sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link in response to a difference between exceeding a first threshold and based at least in part on the first fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a second threshold: a first total air time utilization of the first fronthaul air time utilization and the first backhaul air time utilization, and a second total air time utilization of: a third fronthaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a third fronthaul link between the third MLD and the second network entity, and a third backhaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a third backhaul link between the device and the third MLD; wherein the second total air time utilization is a maximum total air time utilization in the second frequency band for a plurality of MLDs including the third MLD. Fig.10 More details of this aspect are described.

[0080] Figure 7 An example flow chart illustrating a method of wireless communication at an access point is shown. The method 700 may be performed by or at a device (e.g., AP 502, 302, 102), another wireless communication device (e.g., WCD 1300, AP 1402), or one or more components thereof. According to various aspects, one or more of the illustrated methods 700 may be omitted, swapped, and / or performed simultaneously. This method 700 allows for application of TX bias on a Wi-Fi mesh backhaul.

[0081] Method 700 may be performed by a device such as WCD 1300 or AP 1402, as described below. In some implementations, method 700 is performed by processing logic including hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, method 700 is performed by a processor executing code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory). In method 700, operations 602, 604, and 606 are as described above in conjunction with Figure 6 Executed as described

[0082] At operation 708, the apparatus may also be configured to send data to the first MLD on the second backhaul link. Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the AP 302, 502 may send data to the first MLD (e.g., the repeater 304, 504) on the second backhaul link 312. In some aspects, the apparatus is further configured to send data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the first fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band falling below a first threshold or the second fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band exceeding a second threshold. Fig.11 Further details of this aspect are described (eg, at block 1116).

[0083] In one aspect, the apparatus may also be configured to determine, based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a first threshold (e.g., as described below in Fig.11 and Fig.12 In one aspect, the apparatus may be configured to send data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link, and reduce the amount of data sent based at least in part on: for the most congested frequency band from the first frequency band and the second frequency band, a difference between the backhaul air time utilization in the most congested frequency band and the backhaul air time utilization in the least congested frequency band from the first frequency band and the second frequency band exceeds a fourth threshold, and the first backhaul air time utilization in the most congested frequency band exceeds a fifth threshold (e.g., as described below in Fig.12 as described in block 1206).

[0084] In one aspect, the apparatus may be configured to send data to the first MLD on the second backhaul link, and the apparatus is configured to send data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the first fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band falling below a first threshold (e.g., as described below in Fig.11 and Fig.12 as described in block 1116, respectively).

[0085] Figure 8 An example flow chart illustrating a method of wireless communication at a repeater is shown. The method 800 may be performed by (e.g., repeater 504, 304), another wireless communication device (e.g., device 1404), or one or more components thereof, or performed at these devices or one or more components thereof. According to various aspects, one or more of the illustrated methods 800 may be omitted, swapped, and / or performed simultaneously. This method 800 allows for application of TX bias on a Wi-Fi mesh backhaul.

[0086] Method 800 may be performed by a device (e.g., from Fig. 14B In some implementations, the method 800 is performed by a processing logic including hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the method 800 is performed by a processor executing code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory).

[0087] At operation 802, the apparatus is configured to: send a report indicating fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band for a fronthaul link between the apparatus and a network entity. The apparatus may be located in a first MLD. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a station (STA) or AP acting as a repeater or relay, the network entity is a user equipment (UE), and the first MLD includes a root access point (AP). For example, referring to Figure 3-Figure 5 , a device (e.g., repeater 304, 504) may send a report indicating forwarding time utilization 506 in the first frequency band of the forwarding link 310. In another example, reference Figure 4 , the fronthaul air time utilization 402 may be determined based on monitoring mesh network statistics.

[0088] In one aspect, the report may include: a percentage of air time of basic service set (BSS) traffic within the network, a percentage of air time of overlapping basic service set (OBSS) traffic, a percentage of idle air time, and a station (STA) traffic load. At least one processor may be configured to: selectively send data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or prevent sending data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the percentage of air time of BSS traffic, the percentage of air time of OBSS traffic, the percentage of idle air time, and the STA traffic load. For example, referring to Figure 4 , the report may include In-BSS traffic 404, in-network OBSS traffic 406, idle time 408, and out-of-network OBSS 410 traffic.

[0089] In one aspect, the report may include a second fronthaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a second fronthaul link between the first MLD and the network entity or the second network entity. The at least one processor may also be configured to determine the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link and the second backhaul link air time utilization in the second frequency band of the second backhaul link based on the first MLD being connected to the network entity or the second network entity using the second fronthaul link.

[0090] At operation 804, the apparatus is further configured to selectively receive data on the first backhaul link or prevent receiving data on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization or the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link between the apparatus and the second MLD. Figure 3-5 , the device 304 , 504 may selectively receive data from the first MLD 302 on the first backhaul link 308 or prevent receiving data from the first MLD 302 on the first backhaul link 308 .

[0091] In one aspect, the apparatus may be further configured to: prevent receiving data on a first backhaul link between the apparatus and the entity based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a first threshold and the second fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band falling below a second threshold (e.g., as described below in Fig.11 In one aspect, the apparatus may be configured to: prevent receiving data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a third threshold (e.g., as described below in Fig.11 as described with respect to block 1106).

[0092] Fig. 9 An example flow chart illustrating a method of wireless communication at an access point is shown. The method 900 may be performed by or at an apparatus (e.g., repeater 504, 304), another wireless communication apparatus (e.g., apparatus 1404), or one or more components thereof. According to various aspects, one or more of the illustrated methods 900 may be omitted, swapped, and / or performed simultaneously. This method 600 allows for application of TX bias on a Wi-Fi mesh backhaul.

[0093] Method 900 may be performed by a device (e.g., from Fig. 14BIn some implementations, method 800 is performed by processing logic including hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, method 900 is performed by a processor executing code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory). In method 900, operations 802 and 804 are performed as described above in combination. Figure 8 Executed as described.

[0094] At operation 906, the apparatus may also be configured to receive data from the first MLD on the second backhaul link. Figure 3 and Figure 5 , a device (eg, a repeater 304 , 504 ) may receive data over a backhaul link 312 to a first MLD (eg, a root AP) 302 , 304 .

[0095] In some aspects, the apparatus may be further configured to: receive data from the first MLD on the second backhaul link and receive data on the first backhaul link between the apparatus and the entity (e.g., in response to the first fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band falling below a first threshold or in response to the second fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band exceeding a second threshold) based at least in part on the first fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band falling below a first threshold Fig.11 1116).

[0096] In one aspect, the apparatus may be configured to: receive data from the first MLD on the second backhaul link and receive data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the first fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band falling below a first threshold (e.g., Fig.11 and Fig.12 1116).

[0097] In one aspect, the apparatus may be configured to reduce an amount of data received on a first backhaul link between the apparatus and an entity based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a first threshold. In one aspect, the apparatus may be configured to receive data on the first backhaul link between the apparatus and a second MLD, and reduce the amount of data received based at least in part on: for a most congested frequency band from the first frequency band and the second frequency band, a difference between the backhaul air time utilization in the most congested frequency band and the backhaul air time utilization in the least congested frequency band from the first frequency band and the second frequency band exceeding a fourth threshold, and the first backhaul air time utilization in the most congested frequency band exceeding a fifth threshold (e.g., at Fig.12 at block 1212).

[0098] Fig.101 is a diagram illustrating an example of extending TX bias on a multi-link operation (MLO) link to a multi-repeater grid. In example 1000, reducing the traffic load on one backhaul link 1012 associated with a first client 1010 will subsequently increase the traffic load on another backhaul link 1014, which may negatively impact the E2E throughput of a second client 1002 whose bottleneck hop is operation on the other backhaul link.

[0099] To avoid a TX bias on the MLO link toward a repeater 1008 to negatively impact the E2E throughput across another repeater 1004, the network controller may be configured to check all repeaters 1004, 1008 in descending order from the most congested backhaul link to the least congested backhaul link. The network controller may also be configured to compare the air time utilization between the link of the most congested E2E path across the repeater and the most congested link of the most congested E2E path of the other band of all repeaters. Thus, the TX bias is applied only when the most congested E2E path of one band has a sufficiently high air time utilization (e.g., >20%) compared to the most congested E2E path of the other band and has caused congestion on the fronthaul of some repeaters.

[0100] Fig.11 An example flow chart illustrating a method of wireless communication is shown. The method 1100 may be performed by an apparatus as described below, such as with reference to Figure 1 The AP 102 described above Figure 3 The root AP 302 described, Figure 5 The root AP 502 shown in Fig.10 The root AP 1006 shown in Fig.14A 1402 shown in FIG. 1403. In some implementations, the method 1100 is performed by processing logic including hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the method 1100 is performed by a processor executing code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory). The method 1100 describes an "all or nothing approach" for limiting packet release on a backhaul MLO link. For example, referring back to FIG. Figure 3 , the device (e.g., root AP 302) can limit the release of packets on the backhaul MLO link 308. In another example, returning to reference Figure 5 , a device (eg, AP 502) may send data to the first MLD 504 over the first backhaul link or refrain from sending data to the first MLD 504 over the first backhaul link.

[0101] As indicated by block 1101, method 1100 includes determining whether a forward link of a repeater has only one active frequency band (eg, if the repeater communicates with a client on only one frequency band, such as Figure 3 and Fig.10 ). If it is determined that the repeater has only one active frequency band ("yes" path), then, as indicated by block 1101, method 1100 includes determining whether the active frequency band has an air time utilization greater than or equal to a first air time utilization threshold. In some examples, the first air time utilization threshold can be 90% up to 100%.

[0102] For example, refer to Figure 4 , the air time utilization 402 may be determined based at least in part on the In-BSS traffic 404, the in-network OBSS traffic 406, the idle time 408, and the out-of-network OBSS 410. If it is determined that the active frequency band does not have an air time utilization greater than or equal to a first air time utilization threshold (“No” path), then, as indicated by block 1116, the method 1100 includes allowing 100% packet release on both backhaul links. If it is determined that the active frequency band has an air time utilization greater than or equal to the first air time utilization threshold (“Yes” path), then, as indicated by block 1108, the method 1100 includes not allowing packet release on a backhaul link that overlaps with the active fronthaul frequency band. Next, as indicated by block 1110, the method 1100 includes allowing 100% packet release on another backhaul link.

[0103] If it is determined that the repeater does not have only one active frequency band (“No” path) (e.g., if the repeater communicates with the client on two frequency bands), then, as indicated by block 1104, method 1100 includes determining whether one forward transmission frequency band has an air time utilization greater than or equal to a second air time utilization threshold, and whether the other forward transmission frequency band has an air time utilization less than a third air time utilization threshold. In some instances, the second air time utilization threshold may be 90%, up to 100%. In some instances, the third air time utilization threshold may be 20%. If it is determined that one forward transmission frequency band does not have an air time utilization greater than or equal to the second threshold, or the other frequency band does not have an air time utilization less than the third air time utilization threshold (“No” path), then, as indicated by block 1116, method 1100 includes allowing 100% packet release on both backhaul links.

[0104] If it is determined that one fronthaul has an air time utilization greater than or equal to the second air time utilization threshold and the other band has an air time utilization less than the third air time utilization threshold ("yes" path), then, as indicated by block 1106, for the congested band, the method 1100 includes determining whether the In-BSS service air time utilization exceeds a fourth air time utilization threshold. In some instances, the fourth air time utilization threshold can be 15%. If it is determined that the In-BSS service air time utilization exceeds the fourth air time utilization threshold ("no" path), then, as indicated by block 1116, the method 1100 includes allowing 100% packet release on both backhaul links.

[0105] If it is determined that the In-BSS service air time usage does not exceed the fourth air time utilization threshold ("yes" path), then, as indicated by block 1112, the method 1100 includes not allowing packet release on the backhaul link overlapping the fronthaul active band. Next, as indicated by block 1114, the method 1100 includes allowing 100% packet release on another backhaul link.

[0106] It should be understood that the percentages and thresholds listed in method 1100 are non-limiting and are merely used as examples to describe method 1100 .

[0107] Fig.12 An example flow chart illustrating a method of wireless communication is shown. The method 1200 may be performed by an apparatus as described below, such as with reference to Figure 1 The AP 102 described above Figure 3 The root AP 302 described, Figure 5 The root AP 602 shown in Fig.10 The root AP 1006 shown in Fig.14A 1402 shown in FIG. 1403. In some implementations, the method 1200 is performed by processing logic including hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the method 1200 is performed by a processor executing code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory). The method 1200 describes a "probabilistic method" for limiting the release of packets on a backhaul MLO link. For example, referring to Figure 3 , the device 302 can limit the release of packets on the backhaul MLO link 308. In another example, referring to Figure 5 , a device (eg, AP 502) may selectively send data to the first MLD 504 on the first backhaul link or prevent data from being sent to the first MLD 504 on the first backhaul link. Fig.11 In contrast to the "all or nothing approach" described in , where data is either sent or not sent, Fig.12In the "probabilistic method" of the present invention, data can be selectively sent. In method 1200, blocks 1101, 1102, 1108, 1110 and 1112 are as described above in combination. Fig.11 Executed as described.

[0108] As indicated by block 1204, method 1200 includes determining whether a fronthaul frequency band air time utilization exceeds a second threshold. In some examples, the second air time utilization threshold can be 90%, and up to 100%. For example, referring to Figure 4 , the air time utilization 402 may be determined based at least in part on the In-BSS traffic 404, the in-network OBSS traffic 406, the idle time 408, and the out-of-network OBSS 410. If it is determined that one fronthaul band air time utilization does not exceed a second air time utilization threshold ("No" path), then, as represented by block 1116, the method 1200 includes allowing 100% packet release on both backhaul links.

[0109] If it is determined that one fronthaul frequency band air time utilization does exceed the second air time utilization threshold ("yes" path), then, as indicated by block 1206, method 1200 includes determining the following: for the most congested frequency band, whether the difference between the air time utilization of the most congested frequency band and another frequency band exceeds the third air time utilization threshold, and whether the self-service air time usage exceeds the fourth air time utilization threshold. In some examples, the third air time utilization threshold can be 20%, and the fourth air time utilization threshold can be 15%.

[0110] If it is determined that for the most congested frequency band, the difference between the most congested frequency band and another frequency band does not exceed the third air time utilization threshold or the self-service air time usage does not exceed the fourth air time utilization threshold ("No" path), then as shown by box 1116, method 1200 includes allowing 100% packet release on both backhaul links.

[0111] If it is determined that for the most congested frequency band, the difference between the air time utilization of the most congested frequency band and the other frequency band exceeds the third air time utilization threshold, and the self-service air time utilization exceeds the fourth threshold ("yes" path), then as indicated by block 1212, the method includes reducing the probability of packet release on the more congested backhaul link in the fronthaul frequency band. Next, as indicated by block 1110, the method 1200 includes allowing 100% packet release on the other backhaul frequency band.

[0112] It should be understood that the percentages and thresholds listed in method 1200 are non-limiting and are merely used as examples to describe method 1200 .

[0113] Fig.13A block diagram of an example wireless communication device 1300 is shown. In some aspects, the wireless communication device 1300 may be a device for use in a STA (e.g., referring to Figure 1 In some aspects, the wireless communication device 1300 may be an example of a device for use in an AP, such as the one described above with reference to Figure 1 AP102 described above, reference Figure 3 The root AP 302 described, Figure 5 The root AP 502 and Fig.10 Root AP 1006 is shown. The wireless communication device 1300 is capable of sending and receiving wireless communications in the form of, for example, wireless packets. For example, the wireless communication device can be configured to send and receive packets in the form of physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data units (PPDUs) and medium access control (MAC) protocol data units (MPDUs) that comply with IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standards (such as standards defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its amendments, including but not limited to 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be).

[0114] The wireless communication device 1300 may be or may include a chip, a system on chip (SoC), a chipset, a package, or a device that includes one or more modems 1302, such as a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 compatible) modem. In some aspects, one or more modems 1302 (collectively referred to as "modems 202") further include a WWAN modem (e.g., a 3GPP 4G LTE or 5G compatible modem). In some aspects, the wireless communication device 1300 further includes one or more processors, processing blocks, or processing elements 1304 (collectively referred to as "processors 1304") coupled to the modem 1302. In some aspects, the wireless communication device 1300 further includes one or more radio units 1306 (collectively referred to as "radio units 1306") coupled to the modem 1302. In some aspects, the wireless communication device 1300 further includes one or more memory blocks or elements 1308 (collectively referred to as "memory 1308") coupled to the processor 1304 or the modem 1302.

[0115] Modem 1302 may include intelligent hardware blocks or devices, such as, for example, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and other possibilities. Modem 1302 is typically configured to implement a PHY layer, and in some aspects, also implements a portion of a MAC layer (e.g., a hardware portion of a MAC layer). For example, modem 1302 is configured to modulate packets and output modulated packets to radio unit 1306 for transmission over a wireless medium. Modem 1302 is similarly configured to obtain modulated packets received by radio unit 1306, and demodulate packets to provide demodulated packets. In addition to modulators and demodulators, modem 1302 may also include digital signal processing (DSP) circuits, automatic gain control (AGC) circuits, encoders, decoders, multiplexers, and demultiplexers. For example, when in transmission mode, data obtained from processor 1304 may be provided to an encoder, which encodes the data to provide encoded bits. The coded bits may then be mapped to a number (NSS) of spatial streams for spatial multiplexing or a number (NSTS) of space-time streams for space-time block coding (STBC). The coded bits in the streams may then be mapped to points in a modulation constellation (using the selected MCS) to provide modulated symbols. The modulated symbols in the corresponding spatial or space-time streams may be multiplexed, transformed via an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) block, and then provided to a DSP circuit (e.g., for Tx windowing and filtering). The digital signal may then be provided to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The resulting analog signal may then be provided to a frequency up-converter and ultimately to the radio unit 1306. In various aspects related to beamforming, the modulated symbols in the corresponding spatial streams are precoded via a steering matrix before they are provided to the IFFT block.

[0116] When in receive mode, the DSP circuit is configured to acquire a signal including modulated symbols received from the radio unit 1306, for example, by detecting the presence of the signal and estimating the initial timing and frequency offset. The DSP circuit is also configured to digitally condition the signal, for example, using channel (narrowband) filtering and analog impairment conditioning (such as correcting I / Q imbalance), and finally obtain a narrowband signal by applying digital gain. The output of the DSP circuit can then be fed to the AGC, which is configured to use information extracted from the digital signal, for example, in one or more received training fields, to determine the appropriate gain. The output of the DSP circuit is also coupled to a demultiplexer, which demultiplexes the modulated symbols when multiple spatial streams or space-time streams are received. The demultiplexed symbols can be provided to a demodulator, which is configured to extract the symbols from the signal and, for example, calculate a log-likelihood ratio (LLR) for each bit position of each subcarrier in each spatial stream. The demodulator is coupled to a decoder, which can be configured to process the LLRs to provide decoded bits. The decoded bits may then be descrambled and provided to the MAC layer (processor 1304) for processing, evaluation, or interpretation.

[0117] The radio unit 1306 typically includes at least one radio frequency (RF) transmitter (or "transmitter chain") and at least one RF receiver (or "receiver chain"), which can be combined into one or more transceivers. For example, each of the RF transmitter and receiver can include various analog circuits, including at least one power amplifier (PA) and at least one low noise amplifier (LNA), respectively. The RF transmitter and receiver can then be coupled to one or more antennas. For example, in some aspects, the wireless communication device 1300 may include multiple transmit antennas (each with a corresponding transmit chain) and multiple receive antennas (each with a corresponding receive chain), or can be coupled with multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas. The symbols output from the modem 1302 are provided to the radio unit 1306, which then transmits the symbols via the coupled antennas. Similarly, the symbols received via the antennas are obtained by the radio unit 1306, which then provides the symbols to the modem 1302.

[0118] The processor 1304 may include an intelligent hardware block or device, such as, for example, a processing core, a processing block, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The processor 1304 processes information received through the radio unit 1306 and the modem 1302, and processes information to be output by the modem 1302 and the radio unit 1306 for transmission through a wireless medium. For example, the processor 1304 may implement at least a portion of a control plane and a MAC layer configured to perform various operations related to the generation, transmission, reception, and processing of MPDUs, frames, or packets. In some aspects, the MAC layer is configured to generate an MPDU to provide to the PHY layer for encoding, and receive decoded information bits from the PHY layer as an MPDU for processing. The MAC layer may also be configured to allocate time and frequency resources, such as for OFDMA, and perform other operations and techniques. In some aspects, the processor 1304 may generally control the modem 1302 to cause the modem to perform the various operations described above.

[0119] The memory 1308 may include a tangible storage medium, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM) or a combination thereof. The memory 1308 may also store non-transitory processor or computer executable software (SW) code containing instructions that, when executed by the processor 1304, cause the processor to perform various operations for wireless communication described herein, including the generation, transmission, reception, and interpretation of MPDUs, frames, or packets. For example, various functions of the components disclosed herein, or various blocks or steps of the methods, operations, processes, or algorithms disclosed herein, may be implemented as one or more modules of one or more computer programs.

[0120] In one configuration, the wireless communication device 1300 and in particular the processor 1304 may include a unit for performing the following operations: receiving a report indicating a fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a fronthaul link between a first multi-link device (MLD) and a network entity, determining a first backhaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a first backhaul link between the device and the first MLD and a second backhaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a second backhaul link between the device and the first MLD, the device being located in a second MLD; and selectively sending data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or preventing data from being sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization, the first backhaul air time utilization, or the second backhaul air time utilization.

[0121] Fig.14A 1402 is a block diagram of an example AP 1402. For example, AP 1402 may be a reference Figure 1 The AP 102 described above Figure 3 The root AP 302 described, Figure 5 The root AP 502 and Fig.10 1006. AP 1402 includes a wireless communication device (WCD) 1410 (although AP 1402 itself may also be generally referred to as a wireless communication device as used herein). For example, WCD 1410 may be a wireless communication device. Fig.13 The AP 1402 also includes a plurality of antennas 1420 coupled to the WCD 1410 for sending and receiving wireless communications. In some aspects, the AP 1402 further includes an application processor 1430 coupled to the WCD 1410, and a memory 1440 coupled to the application processor 1430. The AP 1402 also includes at least one external network interface 1450, which enables the AP 1402 to communicate with a core network or a backhaul network to obtain access to an external network including the Internet. For example, the external network interface 1450 may include one or both of a wired (e.g., Ethernet) network interface and a wireless network interface (e.g., WWAN interface). Some of the above components may communicate directly or indirectly with other components of the components through at least one bus. The AP 1402 also includes a housing that surrounds the wireless communication device 1410, the application processor 1430, the memory 1440, and at least a portion of the antenna 1420 and the external network interface 1450.

[0122] Fig. 14B A block diagram of an example apparatus 1404 is shown. For example, the apparatus 1404 may be a reference Figure 1 STA104 described, reference Figure 3 Repeater 304 described, reference Figure 5 Repeater 504, reference Fig.10 Example aspects of repeaters 1004, 1008 are described.

[0123] Device 1404 includes a wireless communication device (WCD) 1415 (although apparatus 1404 itself may also be generally referred to as a wireless communication device as used herein). For example, WCD 1415 may be a wireless communication device. Fig.13Example aspects of the wireless communication device 1300 described herein. The device 1404 also includes one or more antennas 1425 coupled to the WCD 1415 for sending and receiving wireless communications. The device 1404 further includes an application processor 1435 coupled to the WCD 1415 and a memory 1445 coupled to the application processor 1435. In some aspects, the device 1404 also includes a user interface (UI) 1455 (such as a touch screen or keyboard) and a display 1465, which can be integrated with the UI 1455 to form a touch screen display. In some aspects, the device 1404 can further include one or more sensors 1475, such as, for example, one or more inertial sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or altitude sensors. Some of the above components can communicate directly or indirectly with other components of the components via at least one bus. The device 1404 also includes a housing that surrounds the WCD 1415, the application processor 1435, the memory 1445, and at least a portion of the antenna 1425, the UI 1455, and the display 1465.

[0124] In one configuration, the device 1404 and in particular the application processor 1435 may include a unit for: sending a report indicating fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a fronthaul link between the device and a network entity, the device being located in a first MLD; and selectively receiving data on the first backhaul link or preventing receiving data on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization, or the first backhaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a first backhaul link between the device and a second MLD.

[0125] Aspects of the present disclosure allow for improved E2E mesh throughput by applying a transmit (TX) bias on a Wi-Fi mesh backhaul. Doing so allows a root access point or network controller to apply a TX bias between multi-link operating links toward each repeater so that the traffic load on the backhaul link does not overload the fronthaul link due to common channel usage.

[0126] The specific order or hierarchy of each of the above-mentioned processes, flow charts and other schematic diagrams disclosed herein is an explanation of the exemplary method. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks or operations in each process, flow chart and other schematic diagrams can be rearranged, omitted and / or performed simultaneously without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, some blocks or operations can be combined or omitted. The attached method claims provide the elements of various blocks or operations in a sample order, and are not intended to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy provided.

[0127] Some additional examples

[0128] The following example aspects are merely illustrative and may be combined with aspects of other embodiments or teachings described herein without limitation thereto.

[0129] Aspect 1. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

[0130] Memory; and

[0131] at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:

[0132] receiving a report indicating fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a fronthaul link between a first multi-link device (MLD) and a network entity;

[0133] determining a first backhaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a first backhaul link between the device and the first MLD and a second backhaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a second backhaul link between the device and the first MLD, the device being located in a second MLD; and

[0134] Data is selectively sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or data is prevented from being sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization, the first backhaul air time utilization, or the second backhaul air time utilization.

[0135] Aspect 2. The apparatus according to aspect 1, wherein the apparatus is a root access point (AP), the network entity is a user equipment (UE), and the first MLD includes a repeater.

[0136] Aspect 3. An apparatus according to Aspect 1 or 2, wherein the report includes: the percentage of air time for basic service set (BSS) services within the network, the percentage of air time for overlapping basic service set (OBSS) services, the percentage of idle air time, and the station (STA) service load, wherein at least one processor is configured to: selectively send data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or prevent sending data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the percentage of air time for BSS services, the percentage of air time for OBSS services, the percentage of idle air time, and the STA service load.

[0137] Aspect 4. An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the report also includes a second fronthaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a second fronthaul link between the first MLD and the network entity or the second network entity, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: determine the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link and the second backhaul link air time utilization in the second frequency band of the second backhaul link based on the first MLD being connected to the network entity or the second network entity using the second fronthaul link.

[0138] Aspect 5. An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein at least one processor is configured to: prevent sending data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a first threshold and the second fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band falling below a second threshold.

[0139] Aspect 6. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein at least one processor is configured to: send data to the first MLD on the second backhaul link.

[0140] Aspect 7. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein at least one processor is configured to:

[0141] Transmitting data to the first MLD over the first backhaul link is also prevented based at least in part on first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a third threshold.

[0142] Aspect 8. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein at least one processor is further configured to:

[0143] sending data to the first MLD over the second backhaul link, and

[0144] The at least one processor is configured to send data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the first fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band falling below a first threshold or the second fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band exceeding a second threshold.

[0145] Aspect 9. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein at least one processor is configured to:

[0146] Based at least in part on fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a first threshold, an amount of data sent to the first MLD over the first backhaul link is reduced.

[0147] Aspect 10. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein at least one processor is further configured to:

[0148] Data is sent to the first MLD over the second backhaul link.

[0149] Aspect 11. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 4 and aspects 9-10, wherein at least one processor is configured to: send data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link, and reduce the amount of the sent data based at least in part on:

[0150] For the most crowded frequency band from the first frequency band and the second frequency band,

[0151] a difference between the backhaul air time utilization in the most congested frequency band and the backhaul air time utilization from the least congested frequency band of the first frequency band and the second frequency band exceeds a fourth threshold, and

[0152] The first backhaul air time utilization in the most congested frequency band exceeds a fifth threshold.

[0153] Aspect 12. The apparatus according to aspect 4, wherein at least one processor is further configured to:

[0154] sending data to the first MLD over the second backhaul link, and

[0155] The at least one processor is configured to send data to the first MLD over the first backhaul link based at least in part on first fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band falling below a first threshold.

[0156] Aspect 13. The apparatus of any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein the data is sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on a difference between the following exceeding a first threshold and in response to the first fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a second threshold:

[0157] a first total air time utilization of the first fronthaul air time utilization and the first backhaul air time utilization; and

[0158] Second total air time utilization for:

[0159] a third fronthaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a third fronthaul link between a third MLD and a second network entity; and

[0160] a third backhaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a third backhaul link between the device and a third MLD,

[0161] The second total air time utilization is a maximum total air time utilization in the second frequency band for the plurality of MLDs including the third MLD.

[0162] Aspect 14. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

[0163] Memory; and

[0164] at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:

[0165] sending a report indicating fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a fronthaul link between a device and a network entity, the device being located in a first MLD; and

[0166] Data is selectively received on the first backhaul link or data is prevented from being received on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization or the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link between the device and the second MLD.

[0167] Aspect 15. The apparatus according to aspect 14, wherein the apparatus comprises a station (STA) or an AP acting as a repeater or a relay, the network entity is a user equipment (UE), and the first MLD comprises a root access point (AP).

[0168] Aspect 16. An apparatus according to Aspect 14 or 15, wherein the report includes: the percentage of air time for basic service set (BSS) services within the network, the percentage of air time for overlapping basic service set (OBSS) services, the percentage of idle air time, and the station (STA) traffic load, wherein at least one processor is configured to: selectively receive data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or prevent receiving data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the BSS traffic air time percentage, the OBSS traffic air time percentage, the idle air time percentage, and the STA traffic load.

[0169] Aspect 17. An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 14 to 16, wherein the report also includes a second fronthaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a second fronthaul link between the first MLD and the network entity or the second network entity; wherein at least one processor is further configured to: determine the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link and the second backhaul link air time utilization in the second frequency band of the second backhaul link based on the first MLD being connected to the network entity or the second network entity using the second fronthaul link.

[0170] Aspect 18. An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 14 to 17, wherein at least one processor is further configured to: prevent receiving data on a first backhaul link between the apparatus and an entity based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a first threshold and the second fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band falling below a second threshold.

[0171] Aspect 19. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 14 to 18, wherein at least one processor is further configured to:

[0172] Data is received from the first MLD over a second backhaul link.

[0173] Aspect 20. An apparatus according to any one of aspects 14 to 19, wherein at least one processor is further configured to: prevent receiving data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a third threshold.

[0174] Aspect 21. The apparatus according to aspect 17, wherein at least one processor is further configured to:

[0175] receiving the data from the first MLD over a second backhaul link, and

[0176] Wherein, at least one processor is configured to: receive data on a first backhaul link between the device and the entity based at least in part on a first fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band falling below a first threshold or a second fronthaul air time utilization in a second frequency band exceeding a second threshold.

[0177] Aspect 22. An apparatus according to any one of Aspects 14 to 17, wherein at least one processor is configured to: reduce the amount of data received on a first backhaul link between the apparatus and the entity based at least in part on fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band exceeding a first threshold.

[0178] Aspect 23. An apparatus according to any one of aspects 14 to 22, wherein at least one processor is further configured to:

[0179] Data is received from the first MLD over the second backhaul link.

[0180] Aspect 24. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 14 to 17 and aspects 22 to 23 receives data on a first backhaul link between the apparatus and a second MLD, and the amount of the received data is reduced based on:

[0181] For the most crowded frequency band from the first frequency band and the second frequency band,

[0182] a difference between the backhaul air time utilization in the most congested frequency band and the backhaul air time utilization from the least congested frequency band of the first frequency band and the second frequency band exceeds a fourth threshold, and

[0183] The first backhaul air time utilization in the most congested frequency band exceeds a fifth threshold.

[0184] Aspect 25. The apparatus according to any one of aspects 14 to 17 and aspects 22 to 24, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

[0185] receiving data from the first MLD over the second backhaul link, and

[0186] The at least one processor is configured to receive data from the first MLD over the first backhaul link based at least in part on first fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band falling below a first threshold.

[0187] Aspect 26. A method for wireless communication performed, comprising:

[0188] receiving a report indicating fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a fronthaul link between a first multi-link device (MLD) and a network entity;

[0189] determining a first backhaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a first backhaul link between the device and the first MLD and a second backhaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a second backhaul link between the device and the first MLD, the device being located in a second MLD; and

[0190] Data is selectively sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or data is prevented from being sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization, the first backhaul air time utilization, or the second backhaul air time utilization.

[0191] Aspect 27. The method of aspect 26, wherein the apparatus is a root access point (AP), the network entity is a user equipment (UE), and the first MLD comprises a repeater.

[0192] Aspect 28. A method according to Aspect 26 or 27, wherein the report also includes a second fronthaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a second fronthaul link between the first MLD and the network entity or the second network entity, wherein determining the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link and the second backhaul link air time utilization in the second frequency band of the second backhaul link is based on the first MLD being connected to the network entity or the second network entity using the second fronthaul link.

[0193] Aspect 29. A method for wireless communication, comprising:

[0194] sending a report indicating fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a fronthaul link between a device and a network entity, the device being located in a first MLD; and

[0195] Data is selectively received on the first backhaul link or data is prevented from being received on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization or the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link between the device and the second MLD.

[0196] Aspect 30. The method of aspect 29, wherein the apparatus comprises a station (STA) or an AP acting as a repeater or a relay, the network entity is a user equipment (UE), and the first MLD comprises a root access point (AP).

[0197] The previous description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may also be applied to other aspects. Therefore, the claims are not intended to be limited to the various aspects shown herein, but are to be given the full scope consistent with the language. Therefore, the language employed herein is not intended to limit the scope of the claims to only those aspects shown herein, but is to be given the full scope consistent with the language of the claims.

[0198] As an example, the language "determine" may include a variety of actions and, therefore, may not be limited to the concepts and aspects described or illustrated by the present disclosure. In some contexts, "determine" may include computing, calculating, processing, measuring, deriving, investigating, searching (e.g., searching in a table, a database, or another data structure), ascertaining, solving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like. In some other contexts, "determining" may include communication and / or storage operations / processes through which information or values ​​are obtained as needed, such as "receiving" (e.g., receiving information), "accessing" (e.g., accessing data in a memory), "detecting", and the like.

[0199] As another example, unless otherwise specified, references to singular elements are not intended to mean "one and only one", but rather "one or more". In addition, terms such as "if", "when..." and "while..." should be interpreted as "under the condition of...", rather than implying an immediate temporal relationship or reaction. That is, these phrases, such as "when...", do not mean immediate action in response to an action or event or during the occurrence of an action or event, but simply mean that if the condition is met, another action or event will occur, but no specific or immediate time limit or direct association is required for the occurrence of the action or event. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "used as an example, instance or illustration". Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be interpreted as being preferred or more advantageous than other aspects. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the term "some" refers to one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and / or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” may be only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, wherein any such combination may include one or more members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described throughout the present disclosure that are known or that become known to those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. In addition, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly mentioned in the claims. The words “module,” “mechanism,” “element,” “device,” etc. are not substitutes for the word “unit.” Therefore, no claim element should be interpreted as a functional module unless the element is explicitly recited using the phrase “a unit for . . . .”

Claims

1. A device for wireless communication, comprising: Memory; as well as at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to: receiving a report indicating fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a fronthaul link between a first multi-link device (MLD) and a network entity; determining a first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of a first backhaul link between the device and the first MLD and a second backhaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a second backhaul link between the device and the first MLD, the device being located in a second MLD; as well as Data is selectively sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or data is prevented from being sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization, the first backhaul air time utilization, or the second backhaul air time utilization.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The apparatus is a root access point (AP), the network entity is a user equipment (UE), and the first MLD includes a repeater.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The report includes: the percentage of air time of basic service set (BSS) traffic within the network, the percentage of air time of overlapping basic service set (OBSS) traffic, the percentage of idle air time and the station (STA) traffic load, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: selectively send the data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or prevent the data from being sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the BSS traffic air time percentage, the OBSS traffic air time percentage, the idle air time percentage and the STA traffic load.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The report also includes a second fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band of a second fronthaul link between the first MLD and the network entity or the second network entity, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link and the second backhaul link air time utilization in the second frequency band of the second backhaul link based on the first MLD being connected to the network entity or the second network entity using the second fronthaul link.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one processor is configured to prevent sending the data to the first MLD over the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a first threshold and the second fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band falling below a second threshold.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to: The data is sent to the first MLD over the second backhaul link.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one processor is configured to: The data is also prevented from being sent to the first MLD over the first backhaul link based at least in part on the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a third threshold.

8. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to: sending the data to the first MLD over the second backhaul link, and The at least one processor is configured to send the data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band falling below a first threshold or the second fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band exceeding a second threshold.

9. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one processor is configured to: Based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a first threshold, reducing an amount of the data sent to the first MLD over the first backhaul link.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to: The data is sent to the first MLD over the second backhaul link.

11. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one processor is configured to: The data is sent to the first MLD over the first backhaul link, and an amount of the data sent is reduced based at least in part on: For the most crowded frequency band from the first frequency band and the second frequency band, a difference between backhaul air time utilization in the most congested frequency band and backhaul air time utilization of the least congested frequency band from the first frequency band and the second frequency band exceeds a fourth threshold, and The first backhaul air time utilization in the most congested frequency band exceeds a fifth threshold.

12. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to: sending the data to the first MLD over the second backhaul link, and The at least one processor is configured to send the data to the first MLD over the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band falling below a first threshold.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The data is sent to the first MLD over the first backhaul link based at least in part on a difference between: a first total air time utilization of the fronthaul air time utilization and the first backhaul air time utilization; and Second total air time utilization for: a third fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band for a third fronthaul link between a third MLD and a second network entity; as well as a third backhaul air time utilization in the second frequency band of a third backhaul link between the device and the third MLD, The second total air time utilization is a maximum total air time utilization in the second frequency band for a plurality of MLDs including the third MLD.

14. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: Memory; as well as at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to: sending a report indicating fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band for a fronthaul link between the device and a network entity, the device being located in a first MLD; as well as Selectively receive data on the first backhaul link or prevent receiving data on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization, the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link between the device and the second MLD, or the second backhaul air time utilization in the second frequency band of the second backhaul link between the device and the second MLD.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein: The apparatus includes a station (STA) or AP acting as a repeater or relay, the network entity is a user equipment (UE), and the first MLD includes a root access point (AP).

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein: The report includes: the percentage of air time of basic service set (BSS) traffic within the network, the percentage of air time of overlapping basic service set (OBSS) traffic, the percentage of idle air time and the station (STA) traffic load, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: selectively receive the data to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or prevent the data from being received to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the BSS traffic air time percentage, the OBSS traffic air time percentage, the idle air time percentage and the STA traffic load.

17. The device according to claim 14, wherein: The report also includes a second fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band of the second fronthaul link between the first MLD and the network entity or the second network entity; wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: determine the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link and the second backhaul link air time utilization in the second frequency band of the second backhaul link based on the first MLD being connected to the network entity or the second network entity using the second fronthaul link.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein: The at least one processor is configured to prevent receiving the data over the first backhaul link between the apparatus and the entity based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a first threshold and the second fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band falling below a second threshold.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to: The data is received over the second backhaul link to the first MLD.

20. The device according to claim 18, wherein The at least one processor is further configured to prevent receipt of the data to the first MLD over the first backhaul link based at least in part on the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a third threshold.

21. The device according to claim 17, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to: receiving the data from the first MLD over the second backhaul link, and Wherein, the at least one processor is configured to: receive the data on the first backhaul link between the device and the entity based at least in part on the backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band falling below a first threshold or the second fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band exceeding a second threshold.

22. The device according to claim 17, wherein: The at least one processor is configured to: Based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band exceeding a first threshold, reducing an amount of the data received over the first backhaul link between the apparatus and the entity.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to: The data is received from the first MLD over the second backhaul link.

24. The device according to claim 17, wherein: The at least one processor is configured to: The data is received over a first backhaul link between the device and a second MLD, and an amount of the received data is reduced based at least in part on: For the most crowded frequency band from the first frequency band and the second frequency band, a difference between backhaul air time utilization in the most congested frequency band and backhaul air time utilization of the least congested frequency band from the first frequency band and the second frequency band exceeds a fourth threshold, and The first backhaul air time utilization in the most congested frequency band exceeds a fifth threshold.

25. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein: The at least one processor is further configured to: receiving the data from the first MLD over the second backhaul link, and The at least one processor is configured to receive the data to the first MLD over the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization in the first frequency band falling below a first threshold.

26. A method performed for wireless communication, comprising: receiving a report indicating fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a fronthaul link between a first multi-link device (MLD) and a network entity; determining a first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of a first backhaul link between a device and the first MLD and a second backhaul air time utilization in a second frequency band of a second backhaul link between the device and the first MLD, the device being located in a second MLD; as well as Data is selectively sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link or data is prevented from being sent to the first MLD on the first backhaul link based at least in part on the fronthaul air time utilization, the first backhaul air time utilization, or the second backhaul air time utilization.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein: The apparatus is a root access point (AP), the network entity is a user equipment (UE), and the first MLD includes a repeater.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein: The report also includes a second fronthaul air time utilization in the second frequency band of a second fronthaul link between the first MLD and the network entity or the second network entity, wherein determining the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link and the second backhaul link air time utilization in the second frequency band of the second backhaul link is based on the first MLD being connected to the network entity or the second network entity utilizing the second fronthaul link.

29. A method for wireless communication, comprising: sending a report indicating fronthaul air time utilization in a first frequency band of a fronthaul link between a device and a network entity, the device being located in a first MLD; and At least in part based on the fronthaul air time utilization, or the first backhaul air time utilization in the first frequency band of the first backhaul link between the device and the second MLD, or the second backhaul air time utilization in the second frequency band of the second backhaul link between the device and the second MLD, selectively receive data on the first backhaul link or prevent data from being received on the first backhaul link.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein: The apparatus includes a station (STA) or AP acting as a repeater or relay, the network entity is a user equipment (UE), and the first MLD includes a root access point (AP).

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