Context updates with respect to multi-link devices

Abstract

A first access point (AP) of an AP multilink device (MLD) is associated with a first communication link, and one or more secondary APs of the AP MLD are associated with one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD. A first AP of the AP MLD generates a frame including a first change sequence field and one or more secondary change sequence fields. The first change sequence field indicates the presence or absence of a critical update associated with the first communication link, and each of the one or more secondary change sequence fields indicates the presence or absence of a critical update associated with a corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. A first AP of the AP MLD transmits the frame on a first communication link of the AP MLD to a station (STA) of a STA MLD.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a patent application with an international filing date of April 8, 2021, an international application number of PCT / US2021 / 026336, a Chinese national filing date of April 8, 2021, an application number of 202180026597.5, and an invention title of "Context Update Method and Device for Multi-Link Devices".

[0002] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0003] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 007,299, filed April 8, 2020, entitled "INDICATIONS OF CRITICAL UPDATES FOR MULTI-LINK DEVICES", U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 075,816, filed September 8, 2020, entitled "CONTEXT UPDATES FOR MULTI-LINK DEVICES", and U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17 / 224,979, filed April 7, 2021, entitled "CONTEXT UPDATES FOR MULTI-LINK DEVICES", all of which patent applications are assigned to the assignee of this application. The disclosures of all prior applications are considered part of this patent application and are hereby incorporated by reference into this patent application. Technical Field

[0004] This disclosure generally relates to wireless communication, and more particularly to indications of critical updates for communication links associated with a multi-link device (MLD).

[0005] Description of Related Art

[0006] A wireless local area network (WLAN) can be formed by one or more access points (APs) that provide a shared wireless communication medium for use by several client devices (also referred to as stations (STAs)). The basic building block of a WLAN that follows the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard family is a basic service set (BSS) managed by an AP. Each BSS is identified by a basic service set identifier (BSSID) announced by the AP. The AP periodically broadcasts beacon frames so that any STA within the wireless range of the AP can establish or maintain a communication link with the WLAN.

[0007] To increase data throughput, an AP may communicate with one or more STAs over multiple concurrent communication links. Each of these communication links may have various bandwidths, e.g., by binding together several 20 MHz-wide channels to form a 40 MHz-wide channel, an 80 MHz-wide channel, or a 160 MHz-wide channel. The AP may establish a BSS over any of these different communication links and thus desires to improve communication between the AP and the one or more STAs over each of these communication links.

[0008] Overview

[0009] The systems, methods, and devices of the present disclosure each have several innovative aspects, none of which is solely responsible for the desired attributes disclosed herein.

[0010] One innovative aspect of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented in a method for wireless communication. The method may be performed by a first AP of an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD). The first AP may be associated with a first communication link, and the AP MLD may include one or more secondary APs associated with one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD. In some implementations, the method may include generating a frame including a first change sequence field and one or more secondary change sequence fields. The first change sequence field may indicate the presence or absence of a critical update associated with the first communication link of the AP MLD. Each of the one or more secondary change sequence fields may indicate the presence or absence of a critical update associated with a corresponding secondary communication link of the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD. The method may further include transmitting the frame over the first communication link of the AP MLD. The frame may be one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, a re-association response frame, or a fast initial link setup (FILS) discovery frame.

[0011] In some implementations, the method may further include receiving, from a respective secondary AP of the AP MLD, a notification of a critical update of the respective secondary AP. The method may further include incrementing, based on the notification, a value of the secondary change sequence field associated with the respective secondary AP.

[0012] The first change sequence field may indicate a most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters of a basic service set (BSS) associated with the first AP of the AP MLD; and each secondary change sequence field of the one or more secondary change sequence fields may indicate a most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters of a BSS associated with the respective secondary AP of the AP MLD.

[0013] In some implementations, the one or more operation parameters include at least one of the following: Channel Switch Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, silent time element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operation Mode (OM) parameter, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameter, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameter, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameter, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameter, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0014] In some implementations, the frame may include a Multi-Link Element (MLE) carrying a first change sequence field. In some instances, the MLE may include or indicate one or more operation parameters for a first communication link associated with the first AP and the AP MLD. In some instances, the MLE may include one or more per-link profile sub-elements, each per-link profile sub-element carrying a partial or complete set of operation parameters for a Basic Service Set (BSS) associated with a corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD. In some instances, the one or more secondary change sequence fields are included in one or more corresponding Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) elements carried in the frame.

[0015] In some implementations, the method may further include: receiving a probe request frame from a Station (STA) of the STA MLD. The method may further include: transmitting a response frame from the first AP of the AP MLD to the STA MLD on a first communication link. In some aspects, the response frame may include a partial or complete set of operation parameters for one or more Basic Service Sets (BSSs) associated with one or more corresponding secondary APs of the AP MLD.

[0016] In some implementations, the method may further include: receiving an indication of a critical update regarding a corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD. The method may further include: transmitting a spontaneous broadcast probe response frame carrying a complete set of operation parameters for the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD. In some aspects, the response frame may include a partial or complete set of operation parameters for one or more Basic Service Sets (BSSs) associated with one or more corresponding secondary APs of the AP MLD. In one implementation, the method may further include: providing an indication of transmitting the complete set of operation parameters for the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD before transmitting the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame. In some implementations, the indication is transmitted in a beacon frame on a first communication link.

[0017] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a wireless communication device. In some implementations, the wireless communication device can be an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD). The AP MLD can include at least one modem, at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one modem, and at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. In some implementations, the memory can store computer-readable code that, when executed by the at least one processor in conjunction with the at least one modem, causes the AP MLD to perform operations including: generating, by a first AP of the AP MLD, a frame associated with a first communication link of the AP MLD. The AP MLD can also include one or more secondary APs associated with one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD. The frame can include a frame with a first change sequence field and one or more secondary change sequence fields. The first change sequence field can indicate the presence or absence of a critical update associated with the first communication link of the AP MLD. Each of the one or more secondary change sequence fields can indicate the presence or absence of a critical update associated with a corresponding secondary communication link of the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD. The method can also include: transmitting the frame on the first communication link of the AP MLD. The frame can be one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, a re-association response frame, or a fast initial link setup (FILS) discovery frame.

[0018] In some implementations, the execution of the processor-readable code can cause the AP MLD to perform further operations including: receiving, from a respective secondary AP of the AP MLD, a notification of a critical update of the respective secondary AP. The execution of the processor-readable code can cause the AP MLD to perform further operations including: incrementing, based on the notification, the value of the secondary change sequence field associated with the respective secondary AP.

[0019] The first change sequence field can indicate the most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters of a basic service set (BSS) associated with the first AP of the AP MLD; and each of the one or more secondary change sequence fields can indicate the most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters of a BSS associated with the respective secondary AP of the AP MLD.

[0020] In some implementations, a critical update regarding a corresponding communication link corresponds to a change in one or more operating parameters of a BSS associated with the corresponding communication link. In some instances, the one or more operating parameters include at least one of the following: CSA, extended CSA, wideband CSA, EDCA parameters, MU EDCA parameters, silent time element, DSSS parameter set, CF parameter set, OM, UORA parameters, TWT parameters, BSS color change, FILS parameters, SR parameters, HT operation, VHT operation, HE operation, or EHT operation.

[0021] In some implementations, the frame may include a multi-link element (MLE) carrying a first change sequence field. In some instances, the MLE may include or indicate one or more operating parameters for a first communication link associated with a first AP and the AP MLD. In some instances, the MLE may include one or more per-link profile sub-elements, each per-link profile sub-element carrying a partial or complete set of operating parameters of a basic service set (BSS) associated with a corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD. In some instances, the one or more secondary change sequence fields are included in one or more corresponding reduced neighbor report (RNR) elements carried in the frame.

[0022] In some implementations, the execution of the processor-readable code may cause the AP MLD to perform operations further including: receiving a probe request frame from the STA MLD. The execution of the processor-readable code may cause the AP MLD to perform operations further including: transmitting a response frame from the first AP of the AP MLD to the STA MLD on the first communication link. In some aspects, the response frame may include a partial or complete set of operating parameters of one or more basic service sets (BSSs) associated with one or more corresponding secondary APs of the AP MLD.

[0023] In some implementations, the execution of the processor-readable code may cause the AP MLD to perform further operations including: receiving an indication of a critical update regarding a corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD. The execution of the processor-readable code may also cause the AP MLD to perform further operations including: transmitting a spontaneous broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operation parameters for the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD. In some aspects, the response frame may include a partial or complete set of operation parameters of one or more basic service sets (BSSs) associated with one or more corresponding secondary APs of the AP MLD. In one implementation, the method may further include: providing an indication of transmitting the complete set of operation parameters for the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD before transmitting the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame. In some implementations, the indication is transmitted in a beacon frame on a first communication link.

[0024] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure may be implemented in a method for wireless communication. The method may be performed by a first STA of a station (STA) MLD. The first STA may be associated with a first communication link of the STA MLD, and the STA MLD may include one or more secondary STAs associated with one or more corresponding secondary communication links of the STA MLD. In some implementations, the method may include associating with a first AP of an AP MLD. The method may include: receiving a frame from the first AP on the first communication link of the AP MLD. In some instances, the frame may include a frame with a first change sequence field and one or more secondary change sequence fields. The first change sequence field may indicate the presence or absence of a critical update associated with the first communication link of the AP MLD. Each of the one or more secondary change sequence fields may indicate the presence or absence of a critical update associated with a corresponding secondary communication link of the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD. In some implementations, the one or more secondary change sequence fields may be included in one or more corresponding RNR elements carried in the frame.

[0025] In other implementations, the first change sequence field may indicate the most recent critical update to one or more operation parameters of a basic service set (BSS) associated with the first AP of the AP MLD; and the one or more secondary change sequence fields indicate the most recent critical update to one or more operation parameters of a BSS associated with the one or more corresponding secondary APs of the AP MLD.

[0026] In some implementations, the frame can be one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, a re-association response frame, or a FILS discovery frame. In some instances, the frame can include an MLE carrying a first change sequence field. In some instances, the MLE can include or indicate one or more operating parameters for a first communication link associated with the first AP and the AP MLD. In some instances, the MLE can include one or more per-link profile sub-elements, each per-link profile sub-element carrying a partial set or a complete set of operating parameters of a BSS associated with a corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD.

[0027] In some implementations, the method can further include: storing in the STA MLD the values carried in the first change sequence field and one or more secondary change sequence fields of the received frame. In some instances, the storing includes: incrementing the corresponding change sequence field value in response to the frame indicating a critical update associated with a communication link of the AP MLD corresponding to the stored value of the corresponding change sequence field in the STA MLD. In some other implementations, the method can further include: incrementing the corresponding change sequence field value in response to the frame indicating a critical update associated with a communication link of the AP MLD corresponding to the stored value of the corresponding change sequence field in the STA MLD.

[0028] In some implementations, the method can further include: transmitting a probe request frame on a first communication link. The method can further include: receiving a response frame from the first AP of the AP MLD on the first communication link. The response frame can include a partial set or a complete set of operating parameters of one or more basic service sets (BSSs) associated with one or more corresponding secondary APs.

[0029] In some implementations, one or more operating parameters include at least one of the following: CSA, extended CSA, wideband CSA, EDCA parameters, MU EDCA parameters, silent time element, DSSS parameter set, CF parameter set, OM, UORA parameters, TWT parameters, BSS color change, FILS parameters, SR parameters, HT operation, VHT operation, HE operation, or EHT operation.

[0030] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a wireless communication device. In some implementations, the wireless communication device can be a STA MLD. The STA MLD can include at least one modem, at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one modem, and at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. In some implementations, the memory can store computer-readable code that, when executed by the at least one processor in conjunction with the at least one modem, causes the STA MLD to perform operations including: associating with a first AP of an AP MLD. Execution of the processor-readable code can cause the STA MLD to perform further operations including: receiving a frame from the first AP on a first communication link of the AP MLD. In some instances, the frame can be a frame including a first change sequence field and one or more secondary change sequence fields. The first change sequence field can indicate the presence or absence of a critical update associated with the first communication link of the AP MLD. Each of the one or more secondary change sequence fields can indicate the presence or absence of a critical update associated with a corresponding secondary communication link of the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD. In some implementations, the one or more secondary change sequence fields can be included in one or more respective RNR elements carried in the frame.

[0031] In other implementations, the first change sequence field can indicate the most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters of a basic service set (BSS) associated with the first AP of the AP MLD; and the one or more secondary change sequence fields indicate the most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters of a BSS associated with the one or more respective secondary APs of the AP MLD.

[0032] In some implementations, the frame can be one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, a re-association response frame, or a FILS discovery frame. In some instances, the frame can include an MLE carrying the first change sequence field. In some instances, the MLE can include or indicate one or more operating parameters for the first AP and the associated first communication link of the AP MLD. In some instances, the MLE can include one or more per-link profile sub-elements, each per-link profile sub-element carrying a partial set or a complete set of operating parameters of a BSS associated with a corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD.

[0033] In some implementations, the execution of the processor-readable code may cause the STA MLD to perform further operations including: storing in the STA MLD the values carried in the first change sequence field and one or more secondary change sequence fields of the received frame. In some instances, the storing includes: incrementing the corresponding change sequence field value in response to the frame indicating a critical update associated with the communication link of the AP MLD corresponding to the stored corresponding change sequence field value in the STA MLD. In some other implementations, the execution of the processor-readable code may cause the STA MLD to perform further operations including: incrementing the corresponding change sequence field value in response to the frame indicating a critical update associated with the communication link of the AP MLD corresponding to the stored corresponding change sequence field value in the STA MLD.

[0034] In some implementations, the execution of the processor-readable code may cause the STA MLD to perform further operations including: transmitting a probe request frame on a first communication link. The execution of the processor-readable code may cause the STA MLD to perform further operations including: receiving a response frame from a first AP of the AP MLD on the first communication link. The response frame may include a partial or complete set of operating parameters of one or more basic service sets (BSSs) associated with one or more corresponding secondary APs.

[0035] In some implementations, one or more operating parameters include at least one of the following: CSA, extended CSA, wideband CSA, EDCA parameters, MU EDCA parameters, silent time element, DSSS parameter set, CF parameter set, OM, UORA parameters, TWT parameters, BSS color change, FILS parameters, SR parameters, HT operation, VHT operation, HE operation, or EHT operation.

[0036] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following drawings may not be drawn to scale. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example wireless communication network is shown.

[0039] Figure 2A An example protocol data unit (PDU) that can be used for communication between an access point (AP) and several stations (STAs) is shown.

[0040] Figure 2B Shows Figure 2A example fields in the PDU of

[0041] Figure 3A Shows another example PDU that can be used for communication between an AP and one or more STAs.

[0042] Figure 3B Shows another example PDU that can be used for communication between an AP and one or more STAs.

[0043] Figure 4 Shows an example Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) that can be used for communication between an AP and several STAs.

[0044] Figure 5 Shows a block diagram of an example wireless communication device.

[0045] Figure 6A Shows a block diagram of an example Access Point (AP).

[0046] Figure 6B Shows a block diagram of an example Station (STA).

[0047] Figure 7A Shows a flowchart illustrating an example process of wireless communication for supporting communication between Multi-Link Devices (MLDs) according to some implementations.

[0048] Figure 7B Shows a flowchart illustrating an example process of wireless communication for supporting communication between MLDs according to some implementations.

[0049] Figure 8A Shows a flowchart illustrating an example process of wireless communication for supporting communication between MLDs according to some other implementations.

[0050] Figure 8B Shows a flowchart illustrating an example process of wireless communication for supporting communication between MLDs according to some other implementations.

[0051] Figure 9 Shows a flowchart illustrating an example process of wireless communication for supporting communication between MLDs according to some other implementations.

[0052] Figure 10A - 10H Shows a flowchart illustrating an example process of wireless communication for supporting communication between MLDs according to some implementations.

[0053] Figure 11 Shows a flowchart illustrating an example process of wireless communication for supporting communication between MLDs according to some implementations.

[0054] Figure 12A - 12GA flowchart illustrating an example process for wireless communication to support multi-link communication according to some implementations.

[0055] Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating an example process for wireless communication to support communication between MLDs according to some other implementations.

[0056] Figure 14A A timing diagram depicting an example multi-link communication to support communication between MLDs according to some implementations.

[0057] Figure 14B A timing diagram depicting an example multi-link communication to support multi-link communication according to some implementations.

[0058] Figure 15 An example frame including a link attribute element and a multi-link element (MLE) that can be used for communication between wireless communication devices.

[0059] Figure 16A An example MLE that can be used for communication between wireless communication devices.

[0060] Figure 16B Illustrates Figure 16A An example data field of the MLE.

[0061] Figure 16C Illustrates Figure 16A Another example data field of the MLE.

[0062] Figure 17A A sequence diagram depicting an example multi-link communication according to some implementations.

[0063] Figure 17B A sequence diagram depicting another example multi-link communication according to some implementations.

[0064] Figure 18 A timing diagram depicting an example multi-link communication according to some implementations.

[0065] Figure 19 An example MLE that can be used for communication between wireless communication devices.

[0066] Figure 20 An example reduced neighbor report (RNR) element that can be used for communication between wireless communication devices.

[0067] Figure 21 A sequence diagram depicting another example multi-link communication according to some implementations.

[0068] Figure 22A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for modifying a communication link between MLDs according to some other implementations.

[0069] Figure 23 A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for modifying a communication link between MLDs according to some other implementations.

[0070] Figure 24 A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for modifying a communication link between MLDs according to some other implementations.

[0071] Figure 25 A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for modifying a communication link between MLDs according to some other implementations.

[0072] Figure 26 A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for modifying a communication link between MLDs according to some other implementations.

[0073] Figure 27 A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for indicating a critical update regarding an MLD according to some other implementations.

[0074] Figure 28 A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for indicating a critical update regarding an MLD according to some other implementations.

[0075] Figure 29 A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for indicating a critical update regarding an MLD according to some other implementations.

[0076] Figure 30 A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for indicating a critical update regarding an MLD according to some other implementations.

[0077] Figure 31 A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for indicating a critical update regarding an MLD according to some other implementations.

[0078] Figure 32 A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for indicating a critical update regarding an MLD according to some other implementations.

[0079] Figure 33 A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for indicating a critical update regarding an MLD according to some other implementations.

[0080] Figure 34 A flow chart illustrating an example process for supporting wireless communications indicating critical updates on an MLD according to some other implementations is shown.

[0081] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. Detailed Description

[0083] The following description is directed to certain implementations in order to describe the innovative aspects of the present disclosure. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be applied in many different ways. The described implementations can be implemented in a manner that can be implemented in accordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, the IEEE 802.15 standard, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) standard, or the like. The described implementations may be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals in accordance with one or more of the Long Term Evolution (LTE), 3G, 4G, or 5G (New Radio (NR)) standards, or the like released by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The described implementations may be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals in accordance with one or more of the following technologies or techniques: code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), single user (SU) multiple input multiple output (MIMO), and multi-user (MU) MIMO. The described implementations may also be implemented using other wireless communication protocols or RF signals suitable for use in one or more of a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), or an Internet of Things (IOT) network.

[0084] Various implementations generally relate to wireless communications over multiple communication links, and more particularly to establishing a multi-link (ML) context that allows multi-link devices (MLDs), such as access point (AP) MLDs and wireless station (STA) MLDs, to discover each other and associate on a first communication link, and then communicate with each other on the first communication link and one or more other communication links without performing discovery, authentication, or association operations on the other communication links. The ML context may also include a common security context on each communication link associated with the MLD. In addition, the ML context may be utilized to set up or tear down block acknowledgment (BA) sessions over multiple communication links, and also allows dynamic mapping between traffic identifiers (TIDs) and communication links.

[0085] Implementations of the subject matter disclosed herein allow an MLD to dynamically add, remove, or modify communication links associated with an ML context using request and response frame exchanges over a single communication link. In some implementations, a first MLD and a second MLD may establish an ML context based on the exchange of discovery information, authentication information, and / or association information over a first communication link. The first MLD may transmit a request to modify a communication link identified in the ML context, and the second MLD may send a response indicating acceptance, rejection, or modification of the request. In some instances, the request may include one or more of the following: a request to add a new communication link to the ML context, a request to remove or delete a particular communication link from the ML context, or a request to modify one or more communication links identified in the ML context or otherwise associated with the first and second MLDs.

[0086] Figure 1 FIG. shows a block diagram of an example wireless communication network 100. According to some aspects, 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 hereinafter as WLAN 100). For example, WLAN 100 may be a network that implements at least one of the IEEE 802.11 standard family (such as the standards defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its amendments, including but not limited to 802.11ah, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be). WLAN 100 may include a number of wireless communication devices, such as access points (APs) 102 and multiple stations (STAs) 104. Although only one AP 102 is shown, WLAN network 100 may also include multiple APs 102.

[0087] Each STA 104 may also be referred to as a mobile station (MS), mobile device, mobile handset, wireless handset, access terminal (AT), user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), or subscriber unit, and other possibilities. STA 104 may represent various devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks, laptop computers, tablet computers, laptop devices, display devices (e.g., TVs, computer monitors, navigation systems, etc.), music or other audio or stereo devices, remote control devices (“remote controls”), printers, kitchen or other household appliances, remote key fobs (e.g., for passive keyless entry and start (PKES) systems), and other possibilities.

[0088] A single AP 102 and the associated set of STAs 104 may be referred to as a basic service set (BSS), which is managed by the corresponding AP 102.Figure 1 Additionally shown is an example coverage area 108 of the AP 102, which example coverage area 106 may represent the basic service area (BSA) of the WLAN 100. A BSS can be identified to users by a service set identifier (SSID), and can also be identified to other devices by a basic service set identifier (BSSID), which can be the media access control (MAC) address of the AP 102. The AP 102 periodically broadcasts beacon frames (“beacons”) including the BSSID so that any STA 104 within the wireless range of the AP 102 can “associate” with or re-associate with the AP 102 to establish a corresponding communication link 106 (also hereinafter referred to as a “Wi-Fi link”) with the AP 102 or maintain the communication link 106 with the AP 102. For example, the beacon may include an identification of the 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 can provide access to an external network to each STA 104 in the WLAN via the corresponding communication link 106.

[0089] To establish a communication link 106 with the AP 102, each STA 104 is configured to perform passive or active scanning operations (“scans”) on frequency channels in one or more frequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz, 6.0 GHz, or 60 GHz bands). To perform passive scanning, the STA 104 listens for beacons transmitted by the corresponding AP 102 at periodic time intervals, called target beacon transmission times (TBTTs) (measured in time units (TUs), where one TU can be equal to 1024 microseconds (μs)). To perform active scanning, the STA 104 generates probe requests and sequentially transmits these probe requests on each channel to be scanned, and listens for probe responses from the AP 102. Each STA 104 can be configured to: identify or select the AP 102 with which to associate based on scan information obtained through passive or active scanning, and perform authentication and association operations to establish a communication link 106 with the selected AP 102. The AP 102 assigns an association identifier (AID) to the STA 104 at the end of the association operation, and the AP 102 uses the AID to track the STA 104.

[0090] As wireless networks become increasingly prevalent, STA 104 may have the opportunity to select among many BSSs within the range of the STA or among multiple APs 102 that together form an extended service set (ESS) (including multiple connected BSSs). Extended network stations associated with the WLAN 100 can be connected to a wired or wireless distribution system that permits the connection of multiple APs 102 in such an ESS. Thus, STA 104 can be covered by more than one AP 102 and can associate with different APs 102 at different times for different transmissions. Additionally, after associating with an AP 102, STA 104 can also be configured to periodically scan its surrounding environment to look for a more suitable AP 102 to associate with. For example, a STA 104 that is moving relative to its associated AP 102 can perform a "roaming" scan to look for another AP 102 with more favorable network characteristics (such as a greater received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or reduced traffic load).

[0091] In some cases, STA 104 can form a network without an AP 102 or without other equipment other than the STA 104 itself. An example of such a network is an ad hoc network (or wireless ad hoc network). An ad hoc network may alternatively be referred to as a mesh network or a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. In some cases, an ad hoc network can be implemented within a larger wireless network such as the WLAN 100. In such an implementation, while STA 104 may be able to communicate with each other through the AP 102 using the communication link 106, STA 104 can also communicate directly with each other via a direct wireless link 110. Additionally, two STA 104 can communicate via the direct communication link 110 regardless of whether the two STA 104 are associated with and served by the same AP 102. In such an ad hoc system, one or more STA 104 can assume the role played by the AP 102 in a BSS. Such a STA 104 can be referred to as a group owner (GO) and can coordinate transmissions within the ad hoc network. Examples of the direct wireless link 110 include Wi-Fi Direct connections, connections established by using Wi-Fi Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS) links, and other P2P group connections.

[0092] AP 102 and STA 104 can operate and communicate (via the respective communication link 106) according to the IEEE 802.11 standard family, such as the standards defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its revisions, including but not limited to 802.11ah, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be. These standards define the WLAN radio and baseband protocols for the PHY and media access control (MAC) layers. AP 102 and STA 104 transmit and receive wireless communications (also hereinafter referred to as "Wi-Fi communications") with each other in the form of physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data units (PPDUs). The AP 102 and STA 104 in the WLAN 100 can transmit PPDUs in the unlicensed spectrum, which can be a part of the spectrum including the bands traditionally used by Wi-Fi technology (such as the 2.4 GHz band, 5.0 GHz band, 60 GHz band, 3.6 GHz band, and 900 MHz band). Some implementations of the AP 102 and STA 104 described herein can also communicate in other bands (such as the 6.0 GHz band) that can support both licensed and unlicensed communications. AP 102 and STA 104 can also be configured to communicate on other bands (such as shared licensed bands), where multiple operators can have licenses to operate in one or more of the same or overlapping bands.

[0093] Each band can include multiple sub-bands or frequency channels. For example, PPDUs compliant with the IEEE 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax standard amendments can be transmitted in the 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands, where each band is divided into multiple 20 MHz channels. Thus, these PPDUs are transmitted on physical channels with a minimum bandwidth of 20 MHz, but can form larger channels through channel bonding. For example, PPDUs can be transmitted on physical channels having a bandwidth of 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz by binding multiple 20 MHz channels together.

[0094] Each PPDU is a composite structure that includes a PHY preamble and a payload in the form of a PLCP Service Data Unit (PSDU). The information provided in the preamble can be used by the receiving device to decode the subsequent data in the PSDU. In instances where the PPDU is transmitted over a bonded channel, the preamble field can be replicated and transmitted in each of the multiple component channels. The PHY preamble can include both a legacy portion (or "legacy preamble") and a non-legacy portion (or "non-legacy preamble"). The legacy preamble can be used for packet detection, automatic gain control, and channel estimation, among other uses. The legacy preamble generally can also be used to maintain compatibility with legacy devices. The format, decoding, and information provided in the non-legacy portion of the preamble are based on the specific IEEE 802.11 protocol to be used for transmitting the payload.

[0095] Figure 2A Illustrates an example protocol data unit (PDU) 200 that can be used for communication between an AP and several STAs. For example, PDU 200 can be configured as a PPDU. As shown, PDU 200 includes a PHY preamble 202 and a PHY payload 204. For example, PHY preamble 202 can include a legacy portion that itself includes a legacy short training field (L-STF) 206, a legacy long training field (L-LTF) 208, and a legacy signaling field (L-SIG) 210. PHY preamble 202 can also include a non-legacy portion (not shown). L-STF 206 generally enables the receiving device to perform automatic gain control (AGC), coarse timing, and frequency estimation. L-LTF 208 generally enables the receiving device to perform fine timing and frequency estimation and also to estimate the wireless channel. L-SIG 210 generally enables the receiving device to determine the duration of the PDU and use the determined duration to avoid transmitting over the PDU. For example, L-STF 206, L-LTF 208, and L-SIG 210 can be modulated according to a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation scheme. Payload 204 can be modulated according to a BPSK modulation scheme, an orthogonal BPSK (Q-BPSK) modulation scheme, a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulation scheme, or another suitable modulation scheme. Payload 204 generally can carry higher layer data (e.g., in the form of a Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU) or an aggregated MPDU (A-MPDU)).

[0096] Figure 2B Illustrates Figure 2AThe exemplary L-SIG field 210 in the PDU. The L-SIG 210 includes a data rate field 212, reserved bits 214, a length field 216, parity bits 218, and a tail field 220. The data rate field 212 indicates the data rate (note that the data rate indicated in the data rate field 212 may not be the actual data rate of the data carried in the payload 204). The length field 216 indicates the packet length, for example, in bytes. The parity bits 218 are used to detect bit errors. The tail field 220 includes tail bits that are used by the receiving device to terminate the operation of a decoder (e.g., a Viterbi decoder). The receiving device uses the data rate and length indicated in the data rate field 212 and the length field 216 to determine the packet duration, for example, in microseconds (μs). Figure 3A Another exemplary PDU 300 that can be used for wireless communication between an AP and one or more STAs is shown. The PDU 300 can be used for SU, OFDMA, or MU-MIMO transmissions. The PDU 300 can be formatted as a high-efficiency (HE) WLAN PPDU according to the IEEE 802.11ax amendment to the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard. The PDU 300 includes a PHY preamble that includes a legacy part 302 and a non-legacy part 304. The PDU 300 can further include a PHY payload 306 (e.g., in the form of a PSDU that includes a data field 324) after the preamble.

[0097] The legacy part 302 of the preamble includes an L-STF 308, an L-LTF 310, and an L-SIG 312. The non-legacy part 304 includes a repetition of the L-SIG (RL-SIG) 314, a first HE signal field (HE-SIG-A) 316, a HE short training field (HE-STF) 320, and one or more HE long training fields (or symbols) (HE-LTF) 322. For OFDMA or MU-MIMO communication, the second part 304 further includes a second HE signal field (HE-SIG-B) 318 that is encoded separately from the HE-SIG-A 316. Similar to the L-STF 308, the L-LTF 310, and the L-SIG 312, in instances involving the use of bonded channels, the information in the RL-SIG 314 and the HE-SIG-A 316 can be replicated and transmitted in each component 20 MHz channel. In contrast, the content of the HE-SIG-B 318 can be unique for each 20 MHz channel and the target specific STA 104.

[0098] RL-SIG 314 can indicate to the HE-compatible STA 104 that the PDU 300 is a HE PPDU. The AP 102 can use the HE-SIG-A 316 to identify multiple STAs 104 and notify the multiple STAs 104 that the AP has scheduled UL or DL resources for them. For example, the HE-SIG-A 316 can include a resource allocation subfield that indicates the resource allocation for the identified STAs 104. The HE-SIG-A 316 can be decoded by each HE-compatible STA 104 served by the AP 102. For MU transmission, the HE-SIG-A 316 further includes information that can be used by each identified STA 104 to decode the associated HE-SIG-B 318. For example, the HE-SIG-A 316 can indicate the frame format (including the position and length of the HE-SIG-B 318), the available channel bandwidth, and the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and other examples. The HE-SIG-A 316 can also include HE WLAN signaling information that can be used by STAs 104 other than the identified STAs 104.

[0099] The HE-SIG-B 318 can carry STA-specific scheduling information, such as, for example, STA-specific (or "user-specific") MCS values and STA-specific RU allocation information. In the context of DL MU-OFDMA, such information enables the corresponding STA 104 to identify and decode the corresponding resource units (RUs) in the associated data field 324. Each HE-SIG-B 318 includes a common field and at least one STA-specific field. The common field can indicate the RU allocation for multiple STAs 104 (including the RU assignment in the frequency domain), indicate which RUs are allocated for MU-MIMO transmission and which RUs correspond to MU-OFDMA transmission, and the number of users in the allocation and other examples. The common field can be encoded with common bits, CRC bits, and tail bits. The STA-specific fields are assigned to a specific STA 104 and can be used to schedule a specific RU and indicate the scheduling to other WLAN devices. Each STA-specific field can include a plurality of user block fields. Each user block field can include two user fields that contain information for two corresponding STAs to decode the corresponding RU payloads in the data field 324.

[0100] Figure 3BAnother example PPDU 350 that can be used for wireless communication between an AP and one or more STAs is shown. PDU 350 can be used for SU, OFDMA, or MU-MIMO transmissions. PDU 350 can be formatted as an extremely high throughput (EHT) WLAN PPDU according to the IEEE 802.11be amendment to the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard, or it can be formatted as a PPDU of any future (post-EHT) version that follows a new wireless communication protocol (following a future IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard or other wireless communication standards). PDU 350 includes a PHY preamble, which includes a legacy part 352 and a non-legacy part 354. PDU 350 can further include a PHY payload 356 (e.g., in the form of a PSDU that includes a data field 376) after the preamble.

[0101] The legacy part 352 of the preamble includes an L-STF 358, an L-LTF 360, and an L-SIG 362. The non-legacy part 354 of the preamble includes an RL-SIG 364 and a plurality of wireless communication protocol version-related signal fields after the RL-SIG 364. For example, the non-legacy part 354 can include a common signal field 366 (referred to herein as "U-SIG 366") and an EHT signal field 368 (referred to herein as "EHT-SIG 368"). One or both of the U-SIG 366 and the EHT-SIG 368 can be configured for other wireless communication protocol versions other than EHT and carry their version-related information. The non-legacy part 354 further includes an additional short training field 372 (referred to herein as "EHT-STF 372", but it can also be configured to carry version-related information for other wireless communication protocol versions other than EHT) and one or more additional long training fields 374 (referred to herein as "EHT-LTF 374", but they can be configured to carry version-related information for other wireless communication protocol versions other than EHT). Similar to the L-STF 358, the L-LTF 360, and the L-SIG 362, in instances involving the use of bonded channels, the information in the U-SIG 366 and the EHT-SIG 368 can be replicated and transmitted in each component 20 MHz channel. In some implementations, the EHT-SIG 368 can additionally or alternatively carry information different from the information carried in the primary 20 MHz channel in one or more non-primary 20 MHz channels.

[0102] The EHT-SIG 368 may include one or more jointly encoded symbols and may be encoded in a block different from the block in which the U-SIG 366 is encoded. The EHT-SIG 368 may be used by the AP to identify multiple STAs 104 and notify the multiple STAs 104 that the AP has scheduled UL or DL resources for them. The EHT-SIG 368 may be decoded by each compatible STA 104 served by the AP 102. The EHT-SIG 368 may generally be used by the receiving device to interpret the bits in the data field 376. For example, the EHT-SIG 368 may include RU allocation information, spatial stream configuration information, and per-user signaling information (such as MCS) and other examples. The EHT-SIG 368 may further include a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) (e.g., 4 bits) and a tail (e.g., 6 bits) that may be used for a binary convolutional code (BCC). In some implementations, the EHT-SIG 368 may include one or more code blocks each containing a CRC and a tail. In some aspects, each code block may be encoded separately.

[0103] The EHT-SIG 368 may carry STA-specific scheduling information, such as, for example, user-specific MCS values and user-specific RU allocation information. The EHT-SIG 368 may generally be used by the receiving device to interpret the bits in the data field 376. In the context of DL MU-OFDMA, such information enables the corresponding STA 104 to identify and decode the corresponding RU in the associated data field 376. Each EHT-SIG 368 may include a common field and at least one user-specific field. The common field may indicate the RU distribution for multiple STAs 104, indicate the RU assignment in the frequency domain, indicate which RUs are allocated for MU-MIMO transmission and which RUs correspond to MU-OFDMA transmission, and the number of users in the assignment and other examples. The common field may be encoded with common bits, CRC bits, and tail bits. The user-specific field is assigned to a specific STA 104 and may be used to schedule a specific RU and indicate the schedule to other WLAN devices. Each user-specific field may include a plurality of user block fields. Each user block field may include, for example, two user fields that contain information for two corresponding STAs to decode their respective RU payloads.

[0104] The presence of RL-SIG 364 and U-SIG 366 can indicate to an EHT or future version-compatible STA 104 that PPDU 350 is an EHT PPDU or any future (post-EHT) version of a PPDU that follows a new wireless communication protocol (following the future IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard). For example, U-SIG 366 can be used by a receiving device to interpret bits in one or more of EHT-SIG 368 or data field 376.

[0105] Figure 4 An example PPDU 400 that can be used for communication between AP 102 and several STAs 104 is shown. As described above, each PPDU 400 includes a PHY preamble 402 and a PSDU 404. Each PSDU 404 can carry one or more MAC protocol data units (MPDUs). For example, each PSDU 404 can carry an aggregated MPDU (A-MPDU) 408, which includes an aggregation of multiple A-MPDU subframes 406. Each A-MPDU subframe 406 can include a MAC delimiter 410 and a MAC header 412 before the accompanying MPDU 414 (which includes the data portion ("payload" or "frame body") of the A-MPDU subframe 406). The MPDU 414 can carry one or more MAC service data unit (MSDU) subframes 416. For example, the MPDU 414 can carry an aggregated MSDU (A-MSDU) 418, which includes multiple MSDU subframes 416. Each MSDU subframe 416 contains a corresponding MSDU 420 after a subframe header 422.

[0106] Referring back to A-MPDU subframe 406, the MAC header 412 can include: several fields containing information that defines or indicates characteristics or attributes of the data encapsulated within frame body 414. The MAC header 412 also includes several fields that indicate the addresses of the data encapsulated within frame body 414. For example, the MAC header 412 can include a combination of a source address, a transmitter address, a receiver address, or a destination address. The MAC header 412 can include a frame control field that contains control information. The frame control field specifies the frame type, e.g., a data frame, a control frame, or a management frame. The MAC header 412 can further include a duration field that indicates the duration from the end of the PPDU until the acknowledgment (ACK) (e.g., a block ACK (BA) in the case of an A-MPDU) of the last PPDU to be transmitted by a wireless communication device ends. The duration field is used to reserve the wireless medium for the indicated duration, thereby establishing the NAV. Each A-MPDU subframe 406 can also include a frame check sequence (FCS) field 424 for error detection. For example, the FCS field 416 can include a cyclic redundancy check (CRC).

[0107] As described above, the AP 102 and the STA 104 may support multi-user (MU) communication; that is, concurrent transmission from one device to each of multiple devices (e.g., multiple simultaneous downlink (DL) communications from the AP 102 to the corresponding STAs 104), or concurrent transmission from multiple devices to a single device (e.g., multiple simultaneous uplink (UL) transmissions from the corresponding STAs 104 to the AP 102). To support MU transmission, the AP 102 and the STA 104 may utilize multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) and multi-user orthogonal frequency division multiple access (MU-OFDMA) techniques.

[0108] In a MU-OFDMA scheme, the available spectrum of a wireless channel may be divided into multiple resource units (RUs), each including several different frequency subcarriers ("tones"). Different RUs may be allocated or assigned by the AP 102 to different STAs 104 at a particular time. The size and distribution of the RUs may be referred to as RU allocation. In some implementations, RUs may be allocated in 2 MHz increments, and thus, the smallest RU may include 26 tones, including 24 data tones and 2 pilot tones. Thus, in a 20 MHz channel, up to 9 RUs (such as 2 MHz, 26-tone RUs) may be allocated (since some tones are reserved for other purposes). Similarly, in a 160 MHz channel, up to 74 RUs may be allocated. Larger RUs of 52 tones, 106 tones, 242 tones, 484 tones, and 996 tones may also be allocated. Adjacent RUs may be separated by null subcarriers (such as the DC subcarrier), for example, to reduce interference between adjacent RUs, reduce receiver DC offset, and avoid transmit center frequency leakage.

[0109] For UL MU transmission, the AP 102 may transmit a trigger frame to initiate and synchronize UL MU-OFDMA or UL MU-MIMO transmission from multiple STAs 104 to the AP 102. Such a trigger frame may thus enable multiple STAs 104 to concurrently send UL traffic to the AP 102 in time. The trigger frame may address one or more STAs 104 by their respective association identifiers (AIDs), and one or more RUs may be assigned to each AID (and thus to each STA 104), which may be used to send UL traffic to the AP 102. The AP may also specify one or more random access (RA) RUs that unscheduled STAs 104 may contend for.

[0110] Figure 5 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device 500 is shown. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 500 may be a device for a STA (such as the one described above with reference to Figure 1An example of a device in one of the STAs 104 described above. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 500 can be an example of a device in an AP (such as the AP 102 described above with reference to Figure 1 The AP 102 described above). The wireless communication device 500 is capable of transmitting (or outputting for transmission) and receiving wireless communications (e.g., in the form of wireless packets). For example, the wireless communication device can be configured to transmit and receive physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data units (PPDUs) and media access control (MAC) protocol data units (MPDUs) in the form of packets that comply with the IEEE 802.11 standard (such as the standard defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its amendments, including but not limited to 802.11ah, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be).

[0111] The wireless communication device 500 can be or can include a chip, a system-on-chip (SoC), a chipset, a package, or a device that includes one or more modems 502 (e.g., a Wi-Fi (compliant with IEEE 802.11) modem). In some implementations, the one or more modems 502 (collectively referred to as "modems 502") additionally include a WWAN modem (e.g., a 3GPP 4G LTE or 5G compliant modem). In some implementations, the wireless communication device 500 further includes one or more radios 504 (collectively referred to as "radios 504"). In some implementations, the wireless communication device 506 further includes one or more processors, processing blocks, or processing elements 506 (collectively referred to as "processors 506") and one or more memory blocks or elements 508 (collectively referred to as "memory 508").

[0112] The modem 502 may include intelligent hardware blocks or devices (e.g., such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)). The modem 502 is generally configured to implement the PHY layer. For example, the modem 502 is configured to modulate packets and output the modulated packets to the radio 504 for transmission over the wireless medium. Similarly, the modem 502 is configured to obtain the modulated packets received by the radio 504 and demodulate these packets to provide demodulated packets. In addition to the modulator and demodulator, the modem 502 may further include digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry, automatic gain control (AGC), encoders, decoders, multiplexers, and demultiplexers. For example, when in the transmit mode, the data obtained from the processor 506 is provided to an encoder, which encodes the data to provide encoded bits. The encoded bits are then mapped to points in the modulation constellation (using the selected MCS) to provide modulated symbols. Subsequently, the modulated symbols may be mapped to several (N SS number) spatial streams or several (N STS number) space-time streams. Subsequently, 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 the DSP circuitry 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 an upconverter and ultimately to the radio 504. In implementations involving beamforming, the modulated symbols in the corresponding spatial streams are precoded via a steering matrix before being provided to the IFFT block.

[0113] When in the receive mode, the digital signal received from the radio 504 is provided to the DSP circuitry, which is configured to obtain the received signal, e.g., by detecting the presence of the signal and estimating the initial timing and frequency offset. The DSP circuitry is further configured to digitally condition the digital signal, e.g., using channel (narrowband) filtering, analog impairment conditioning (such as correcting I / Q imbalance), and applying digital gain to ultimately obtain a narrowband signal. Subsequently, the output of the DSP circuitry may be fed to the AGC, which is configured to use the information extracted from the digital signal (e.g., in one or more received training fields) to determine the appropriate gain. The output of the DSP circuitry is also coupled to a demodulator, which is configured to extract the modulated symbols from the signal and, e.g., calculate the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) for each bit position for each subcarrier in each spatial stream. The demodulator is coupled to a decoder, which may be configured to process the LLRs to provide decoded bits. Subsequently, the decoded bits from all spatial streams are fed to a demultiplexer for demultiplexing. The demultiplexed bits may then be descrambled and provided to the MAC layer (processor 506) for processing, evaluation, or interpretation.

[0114] The radio 504 generally includes at least one radio frequency (RF) transmitter (or "transmitter chain") and at least one RF receiver (or "receiver chain"), which may be combined into one or more transceivers. For example, the RF transmitter and receiver may include various DSP circuitry, including at least one power amplifier (PA) and at least one low noise amplifier (LNA), respectively. The RF transmitter and receiver may in turn be coupled to one or more antennas. For example, in some implementations, the wireless communication device 500 may include or be coupled to multiple transmit antennas (each having a corresponding transmit chain) and multiple receive antennas (each having a corresponding receive chain). The symbols output from the modem 502 are provided to the radio 504, which then transmits these symbols via the coupled antennas. Similarly, the symbols received via the antennas are obtained by the radio 504, which then provides these symbols to the modem 502.

[0115] The processor 506 may include intelligent hardware blocks or devices designed to perform the functions described herein, such as, by way of example, processing cores, processing blocks, central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs) (such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The processor 506 processes the information received via the radio 504 and the modem 502, and processes the information to be output via the modem 502 and the radio 504 for transmission over the wireless medium. For example, the processor 506 may implement the control plane and the MAC layer, which are configured to perform various operations related to the generation and transmission of MPDUs, frames, or packets. The MAC layer is configured to perform or facilitate the decoding and encoding of frames, spatial multiplexing, space-time block coding (STBC), beamforming, and OFDMA resource allocation, and other operations or techniques. In some implementations, the processor 506 may generally control the modem 502 to cause the modem to perform the various operations described above.

[0116] The memory 504 may include tangible storage media, such as random access memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. The memory 504 may also store non-transitory processor or computer executable software (SW) code containing instructions that, when executed by the processor 506, cause the processor to perform the various operations for wireless communication described herein, including the generation, transmission, reception, and interpretation of MPDUs, frames, or packets. For example, the various functions of the components disclosed herein or the 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.

[0117] Figure 6A A block diagram of an example AP 602 is shown. For example, AP 602 may be an example implementation of the AP 102 described with reference to Figure 1 AP 602 includes a wireless communication device (WCD) 610. For example, the wireless communication device 610 may be an example implementation of the wireless communication device 500 described with reference to Figure 5 AP 602 further includes a plurality of antennas 620 coupled to the wireless communication device 610 to transmit and receive wireless communications. In some implementations, AP 602 additionally includes an application processor 630 coupled to the wireless communication device 610, and a memory 640 coupled to the application processor 630. AP 602 further includes at least one external network interface 650 that enables AP 602 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 650 may include one or both of a wired (e.g., Ethernet) network interface and a wireless network interface (such as a WWAN interface). Components among the foregoing components may communicate directly or indirectly with other components among these components over at least one bus. AP 602 further includes a housing that encloses the wireless communication device 610, the application processor 630, the memory 640 and encloses at least a portion of the antennas 620 and the external network interface 650.

[0118] Figure 6B A block diagram of an example STA 604 is shown. For example, STA 604 may be an example implementation of the STA 104 described with reference to Figure 1 STA 604 includes a wireless communication device 615. For example, the wireless communication device 615 may be an example implementation of the wireless communication device described with reference to Figure 5Example implementation of the wireless communication device 500 described. The STA 604 also includes one or more antennas 625 coupled to the wireless communication device 615 to transmit and receive wireless communications. The STA 604 additionally includes an application processor 635 coupled to the wireless communication device 615, and a memory 645 coupled to the application processor 635. In some implementations, the STA 604 further includes a user interface (UI) 655 (such as a touchscreen or keyboard) and a display 665, which may be integrated with the UI 655 to form a touchscreen display. In some implementations, the STA 604 may further include one or more sensors 675 (for example, such as one or more inertial sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or altitude sensors). Components among the foregoing components may communicate directly or indirectly with other components among these components on at least one bus. The STA 604 further includes a housing that encapsulates the wireless communication device 615, the application processor 635, the memory 645 and encapsulates at least portions of the antenna 625, the UI 655, and the display 665.

[0119] As described above, various implementations generally relate to multi-link (ML) communication, and particularly to establishing an ML communication session between wireless communication devices. Aspects of the present disclosure provide a single multi-link association (MLA) context for multiple links shared among multiple MLDs. In certain situations (such as when congestion on the first link is very high), the MLD may switch from communicating on the first link to communicating on the second link. Specifically, the single ML context disclosed herein may be shared between the MAC-SAP endpoints of the MLDs such that the MLDs can communicate dynamically on any link shared among the MLDs without having to disassociate or re-associate with each other. For example, in some instances, MLDs that are associated and authenticated with each other on one link may use the same determined association and authentication parameters (such as capabilities, operating parameters, configurations, encryption keys, and other ML communication parameters) for communication on any link.

[0120] Some implementations more particularly relate to an AP MLD that includes a first AP associated with a first communication link and one or more secondary APs associated with respective secondary communication links. The first AP of the AP MLD generates a frame that includes one or more operating parameters for the first communication link, a first change sequence number (CSN) indicating the presence or absence of a critical update for the first communication link of the AP MLD, and one or more secondary CSNs each indicating the presence or absence of a critical update for a corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. The first AP transmits the frame to a STA of a STA MLD over the first communication link. The first CSN indicates the most recent critical update to the one or more operating parameters for the first communication link, and each secondary CSN indicates the most recent critical update to the one or more operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link. In some implementations, each of the secondary CSNs may be carried in a respective per-link profile sub-element of the MLE. In some other implementations, each of the secondary CSNs may be carried in a corresponding neighbor AP information field of a reduced neighbor report (RNR) element. Alternatively, the first CSN and the one or more secondary CSNs may be carried in a sequence counter field of the frame or in an information element of the frame.

[0121] In some other implementations, the frame may further include one or more do not transmit (DNT) indications, where each DNT indication is associated with a corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In some instances, the frame may further include a DNT indication for the first communication link. Each DNT indication may indicate whether a wireless communication device is to refrain from transmitting over a corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In some instances, at least some of the wireless communication devices may monitor the first communication link without monitoring the one or more secondary communication links for the DNT indication. In some implementations, the DNT indication for a corresponding secondary communication link may be based on one or more of the following: a channel switch announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, a silent period announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, or the unavailability of the secondary AP of the AP MLD associated with the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0122] Certain implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure may be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. By using a frame transmitted over a first communication link to announce one or more of a critical update, a DNT condition, or an operating parameter of a secondary communication link, a STA (such as the STA of a STA MLD) may receive one or more of a critical update, a DNT condition, or an operating parameter of each secondary communication link without monitoring the secondary communication link, which may allow the STA to conserve power associated with performing scan or listen operations for each of the secondary communication links.

[0123] Figure 7AA flowchart illustrating an example process 700 for wireless communication to support communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 700 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 700 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a STA (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B ) or operating within a STA. In other implementations, process 700 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A ) or operating within an AP.

[0124] In some implementations, process 700 begins at block 702 with transmitting a first packet on a first communication link, the first packet including discovery information regarding at least the first communication link and a second communication link. At block 704, process 700 proceeds to receive an ML association request on the first communication link from a second wireless communication device at least partially based on the discovery information. At block 706, process 700 proceeds to transmit a second packet on the first communication link, the second packet including association information regarding at least the first communication link and the second communication link.

[0125] At block 708, process 700 proceeds to associate with the second wireless communication device at least partially based on the association information. In some implementations, associating includes establishing at least one ML communication parameter for communicating with the second wireless communication device on the first and second communication links. The at least one ML communication parameter may be the same for each of the first and second communication links. In some other implementations, associating includes establishing a shared security context between a first media access control service access point (MAC-SAP) endpoint of the first wireless communication device and a second MAC-SAP endpoint of the second wireless communication device. Each of the first and second MAC-SAP endpoints may be used for communicating on both the first and second communication links. At block 710, process 700 proceeds to communicate with the second wireless communication device on the second communication link based on the association with the second wireless communication device on the first communication link.

[0126] Figure 7B A flowchart illustrating an example process 720 for wireless communication to support communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 720 may be performed by a wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 720 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a STA (such as one of the STAs described above with reference to Figure 1 andFigure 6B performed by a wireless communication device operating as or within one of the described STA104 and 604. In other implementations, process 720 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A and operating within the AP).

[0127] Referring Figure 7A , process 720 may be a more detailed implementation of the ML communication operation described in block 710 of process 700. For example, at block 722, process 720 may begin after being associated with a second wireless communication device in block 708 of process 700.

[0128] At block 722, process 720 proceeds to establish a block acknowledgment (BA) session with the second wireless communication device, the BA session associating at least one traffic identifier (TID) with a first subset of the first, second, and third communication links. The BA session may be common for each of the first, second, and third communication links. At block 724, process 720 proceeds to dynamically re-associate the at least one TID to a second subset of the first, second, and third communication links. At block 726, process 720 proceeds to indicate the re-association in an add block acknowledgment (ADDBA) capability field of a third packet.

[0129] Figure 8A A flowchart illustrating an example process 800 for supporting wireless communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 800 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 . In some implementations, process 800 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a STA (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B ). In other implementations, process 800 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A ).

[0130] In some implementations, process 800 begins at block 802 by receiving a first packet on a first communication link from a second wireless communication device, the first packet including discovery information regarding at least the first communication link and a second communication link. At block 804, process 800 proceeds to transmit an ML association request on the first communication link based at least in part on the discovery information. At block 806, process 800 proceeds to receive a second packet on the first communication link, the second packet including association information regarding at least the first communication link and the second communication link. In some implementations, a first A-MPDU subframe may be aligned with a codeword boundary in a PSDU such that portions of the first A-MPDU subframe are not encapsulated within the same LDPC codeword as portions of another A-MPDU subframe in the PSDU.

[0131] At block 808, process 800 proceeds to associate with the second wireless communication device based at least in part on the association information. In some implementations, associating includes establishing at least one ML communication parameter for communicating with the second wireless communication device on the first and second communication links. The at least one ML communication parameter may be the same for each of the first and second communication links. In some other implementations, associating includes establishing a shared security context between a first media access control service access point (MAC-SAP) endpoint of the first wireless communication device and a second MAC-SAP endpoint of the second wireless communication device. Each of the first and second MAC-SAP endpoints may be used for communicating on the first and second communication links. At block 810, process 800 proceeds to communicate with the second wireless communication device on the second communication link based on the association with the second wireless communication device on the first communication link.

[0132] Figure 8B A flowchart illustrating an example process 820 for supporting communication between MLDs in wireless communication according to some implementations is shown. Process 820 may be performed by a wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 820 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a STA (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively) or operating within a STA. In other implementations, process 820 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively) or operating within an AP.

[0133] Refer to Figure 8A, process 820 may be a more detailed implementation of the ML communication operation described in block 810 of process 800. For example, at block 820, process 822 may begin after being associated with a second wireless communication device in block 808 of process 800.

[0134] At block 822, process 820 proceeds to establish a block acknowledgment (BA) session with the second wireless communication device, the BA session associating at least one traffic identifier (TID) with a first subset of the first, second, and third communication links. The BA session may be common for each of the first, second, and third communication links. At block 824, process 820 proceeds to receive a third packet, the third packet indicating in an add block acknowledgment (ADDBA) capability field that the at least one TID is re-associated with a second subset of the first, second, and third communication links.

[0135] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating an example process 900 for supporting wireless communication for communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 900 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 900 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as the AP 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively) or operating within an AP. For Figure 9 example, process 900 is performed by an AP multi-link device (MLD) including a first access point (AP) and one or more secondary APs. The first AP may be associated with a first communication link of the AP MLD, and each secondary AP may be associated with a corresponding secondary communication link in one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

[0136] At block 902, the first AP of the AP MLD generates a frame including one or more operation parameters for the first communication link, a first change sequence number (CSN) indicating the presence or absence of a critical update regarding the first communication link of the AP MLD, and one or more secondary CSNs each indicating the presence or absence of a critical update regarding a corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. At block 904, the first AP transmits the frame on the first communication link. The frame may be one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, a re-association response frame, or a fast initial link setup (FILS) discovery frame.

[0137] In some implementations, the first CSN indicates the latest critical update to one or more operating parameters for the first communication link, and each secondary CSN indicates the latest critical update to one or more operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In some implementations, the first CSN and the one or more secondary CSNs are carried in the sequence counter field of the frame. In some other instances, the first CSN and the one or more secondary CSNs are carried in an information element.

[0138] In some implementations, the frame includes a Multi-Link Element (MLE) element that carries the one or more secondary CSNs. In some instances, the MLE includes one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each per-link profile sub-element carries the corresponding secondary CSN in the one or more secondary communication links. In some other instances, the one or more per-link profile sub-elements include an Information Element (IE) that includes the corresponding secondary CSN in the one or more secondary CSNs. In some other instances, the MLE includes a common parameter field that carries the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0139] In some other implementations, the frame can be a beacon frame, and the beacon frame includes one or more per-link profile elements. Each per-link profile element in the one or more per-link profile elements carries the secondary CSN and a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link in the one or more secondary communication links. In some instances, the beacon frame can include one or more per-link profile elements, where each per-link profile sub-element carries the secondary CSN and a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0140] In some implementations, the frame includes an MLE that carries the one or more secondary CSNs. In some instances, the MLE can include one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each per-link profile sub-element carries the corresponding secondary CSN in the one or more secondary communication links. In some instances, each per-link profile sub-element can include an Information Element (IE) that includes the corresponding secondary CSN. In some other instances, the MLE can include a common parameter field that carries the secondary CSN.

[0141] In some implementations, the frame can include a Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) element that carries the one or more secondary CSNs. In some instances, the RNR element can include one or more neighbor AP information fields, and each neighbor AP information field carries the corresponding secondary CSN in the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0142] In some implementations, the critical update can correspond to a change in one or more operating parameters of the BSS, and the critical update is associated with at least one of the first communication link or the one or more secondary communication links.

[0143] In some implementations, the one or more operation parameters may include at least one of the following: Channel Switch Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, silent time element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operation Mode (OM) parameter, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameter, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameter, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameter, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameter, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0144] In some implementations, the frame may further include one or more Do Not Transmit (DNT) indications, where each DNT indication is associated with a corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In some instances, the frame may further include a DNT indication for the first communication link. Each DNT indication may indicate whether the wireless communication device is to refrain from transmitting on the corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In some instances, at least some of the wireless communication devices may monitor the first communication link without monitoring the one or more secondary communication links for the DNT indication. In some implementations, the DNT indication for a corresponding secondary communication link may be based on one or more of the following: a channel switch announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, a silent time announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, or the unavailability of the secondary AP of the AP MLD associated with the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0145] In some implementations, the DNT indication for the first communication link and the one or more DNT indications for the one or more corresponding secondary communication links may be carried in a bit map of the frame. In some other implementations, the one or more DNT indications for the one or more corresponding secondary communication links may be carried in the MLE of the frame. In some instances, the MLE may include one or more per-link profile sub-elements, where each per-link profile sub-element carries the DNT indication for the corresponding secondary communication link. In some other instances, each per-link profile sub-element may also carry a complete set of operation parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0146] In some implementations, the frame can be a beacon frame that includes one or more per-link profile elements, where each per-link profile element carries a DNT indication for the corresponding secondary communication link. In some instances, each of the one or more per-link profile elements can be an information element (IE). In some other instances, the MLE can include a common parameter field that carries one or more DNT indications for one or more corresponding secondary communication links. In some other implementations, the beacon frame can carry one or more profiles, where each profile carries a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link in one or more secondary communication links.

[0147] In some implementations, the one or more DNT indications can be carried in the reduced neighbor report (RNR) element of the frame. In some instances, the RNR element can include one or more neighbor AP information fields, where each neighbor AP information field carries a DNT indication for the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0148] Figure 10A A flowchart illustrating an example process 1000 for wireless communication to support communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 1000 can be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 1000 can be performed by a wireless communication device that operates as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively) or that operates within an AP. For Figure 10A example, process 1000 is performed by the AP MLD described with reference to Figure 9 . In some implementations, Figure 10A process 1000 of Figure 9 can be performed after the AP MLD in block 904 transmits the frame.

[0149] In block 1002, the first AP receives a notification of a key update for a corresponding secondary communication link from a secondary AP associated with the corresponding secondary communication link among one or more secondary APs of the AP MLD. In block 1004, the first AP increments the secondary CSN corresponding to the corresponding secondary communication link based on the notification.

[0150] In some implementations, a key update for at least one of the first communication link or one or more secondary communication links can correspond to a change in one or more operating parameters of a basic service set (BSS) associated with at least one of the first communication link or one or more secondary communication links.

[0151] Figure 10BA flowchart illustrating an example process 1010 for supporting communication between MLDs in wireless communication according to some implementations is shown. Process 1010 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 1010 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A ) or operating within an AP. For Figure 10B example, process 1010 is performed by the AP MLD described with reference to Figure 9 . In some implementations, Figure 10B process 1010 may be performed after the AP MLD in Figure 9 frame 904 transmits the frame.

[0152] In block 1012, the first AP receives a notification of a Do Not Transmit (DNT) condition for a corresponding secondary communication link from a corresponding secondary AP associated with the AP MLD for the corresponding secondary communication link. In block 1014, the first AP asserts a DNT indication corresponding to the corresponding secondary communication link. In block 1014, the first AP broadcasts the asserted DNT indication corresponding to the corresponding secondary communication link on the first communication link.

[0153] In some implementations, each DNT indication may indicate whether the wireless communication device is to suppress transmissions on the corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In some instances, at least some of the wireless communication devices in the wireless communication device may monitor the first communication link without monitoring the one or more secondary communication links for the DNT indication. In some implementations, the DNT indication for the corresponding secondary communication link may be based on one or more of the following: a channel switch announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, a silent period announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, or the unavailability of the secondary AP associated with the corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD.

[0154] In some implementations, the set of operating parameters may include one or more of the following: a channel switch announcement (CSA), an extended CSA, a wideband CSA, enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters, multi-user (MU) EDCA parameters, a silent period element, a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, a contention-free (CF) parameter set, an operating mode (OM) parameter, an uplink (UL) orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) random access (UORA) parameter, a target wait time (TWT) parameter, a basic service set (BSS) color change, a fast initial link setup (FILS) parameter, a spatial reuse (SR) parameter, a high throughput (HT) operation, a very high throughput (VHT) operation, a high efficiency (HE) operation, or an extremely high throughput (EHT) operation.

[0155] Figure 10C A flowchart illustrating an example process 1020 for supporting communication between MLDs in wireless communication according to some implementations is shown. Process 1020 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 1020 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively) or operating within an AP. For Figure 10C example, process 1020 is performed by the AP MLD described with reference to Figure 9 . In some implementations, Figure 10C process 1020 may be performed after the AP MLD in block 904 of Figure 9 transmits the frame.

[0156] In block 1022, the first AP receives an indication of a critical update regarding the corresponding secondary communication link from the corresponding secondary AP associated with the AP MLD's corresponding secondary communication link. In block 1024, the first AP transmits a spontaneous broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link. In some other implementations, the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame may carry a complete set of operating parameters for each of the one or more secondary communication links.

[0157] In some implementations, the set of operating parameters may include one or more of the following: Channel Switch Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, Quiet Time Element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operating Mode (OM) parameters, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameters, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameters, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameters, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameters, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0158] Figure 10D A flowchart illustrating an example process 1030 for supporting communication between MLDs in wireless communication according to some implementations is shown. Process 1030 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 1030 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs described above with reference toFigure 1 and Figure 6A is performed by a wireless communication device that operates in or within one of the APs 102 and 602 as described. For Figure 10D example, process 1030 is performed by the AP MLD referred to with reference to Figure 9 described. In some implementations, Figure 10D process 1030 of Figure 9 is performed after the AP MLD in box 904 transmits the frame.

[0159] In box 1032, the first AP receives a probe request frame from the STA of the wireless station (STA) MLD. In box 1034, the first AP transmits a response frame from the first AP of the AP MLD to the STA MLD on the first communication link.

[0160] In some implementations, the response frame may carry a complete set of operation parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link for which one or more operation parameters have been updated. In some implementations, the request frame may be received by one of the first APs of the AP MLD on the first communication link or by the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD on the corresponding secondary communication link. In some other implementations, the response frame may carry a complete set of operation parameters for each of the one or more secondary communication links. In some instances, the request frame may be a broadcast probe request frame.

[0161] In some implementations, the set of operation parameters may include one or more of the following: Channel Switching Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, Quiet Time Element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operation Mode (OM) parameters, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameters, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameters, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameters, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameters, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0162] Figure 10E A flowchart showing an example process 1040 for wireless communication to support communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 1040 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 referred to above with reference to Figure 5 described. In some implementations, process 1040 may be performed by an AP (such as those referred to above respectively with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6Aperformed by a wireless communication device that operates on or within one of the described APs 102 and 602. For Figure 10E example, process 1040 is performed by the AP MLD referred to in Figure 9 the description. In some implementations, Figure 10E process 1040 of Figure 9 can be performed after the AP MLD in box 904 transmits the frame. In some implementations, the probe request frame can carry a CSN that indicates the most recently received key update for a specified secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links for the AP MLD.

[0163] In box 1042, the first AP identifies, based on the received CSN, one or more CSNs for the specified secondary communication link that the STA of the STA MLD has missed. In box 1044, the first AP transmits a response frame that has an indication of one or more secondary CSNs for the specified secondary communication link that the STA of the STA MLD has missed.

[0164] In some implementations, the response frame can be a unicast probe response frame that carries one or more key updates for the specified secondary communication link that the STA has missed. In some instances, the one or more key updates that the STA has missed can be determined based on a comparison between the received CSN and the one or more secondary CSNs that the STA has missed.

[0165] In some implementations, the response frame can be one of a unicast probe response frame or a broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operation parameters for the specified secondary communication link. In some instances, the response frame can be a broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operation parameters for each of the specified secondary communication link and other non-specified secondary communication links.

[0166] In some implementations, the set of operation parameters can include one or more of the following: Channel Switching Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, Quiet Time Element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operation Mode (OM) parameters, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameters, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameters, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameters, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameters, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0167] Figure 10F A flowchart illustrating an example process 1050 for wireless communication to support communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 1050 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 1050 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A ) or operating within an AP. For Figure 10F example, process 1050 is performed by the AP MLD described with reference to Figure 9 . In some implementations, Figure 10F process 1050 may be performed after the AP MLD in Figure 9 frame 904 transmits the frame.

[0168] In block 1052, the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD may receive a probe request frame from the STA of the wireless station (STA) MLD on a specified secondary communication link. In block 1054, the corresponding secondary AP may transmit a response frame to the STA MLD on the specified secondary communication link. In block 1056, the first AP may transmit the response frame to the STA MLD together with one or more updated operating parameters for the specified secondary communication link.

[0169] In some implementations, the probe request frame may carry a CSN that indicates the most recently received critical update regarding the specified secondary communication link. In some implementations, the set of operating parameters may include one or more of the following: Channel Switch Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, Quiet Time Element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operating Mode (OM) parameters, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameters, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameters, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameters, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameters, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0170] Figure 10G A flowchart illustrating an example process 1060 for wireless communication to support communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 1060 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the one described above with reference to Figure 5performed by the described wireless communication device 500). In some implementations, process 1060 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively) or operating within an AP. For Figure 10G example, process 1060 is performed by the AP MLD described with reference to Figure 9 . In some implementations, Figure 10G process 1060 may be performed after the AP MLD in block 904 transmits the frame in Figure 9 .

[0171] In block 1062, the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD may receive a probe request frame from the STA of the wireless station (STA) MLD on the specified secondary communication link. In block 1064, the corresponding secondary AP may transmit a response frame to the STA MLD, the response frame carrying a complete set of operating parameters for the specified secondary communication link.

[0172] In some implementations, the response frame may be one of a unicast probe response frame or a beacon frame. In some implementations, the set of operating parameters may include one or more of the following: Channel Switch Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, Quiet Time Element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operating Mode (OM) parameters, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameters, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameters, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameters, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameters, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0173] Figure 10H A flowchart illustrating an example process 1070 for supporting wireless communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 1070 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 1070 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively) or operating within an AP. For Figure 10H example, process 1070 is performed by the AP MLD described with reference to Figure 9 . In some implementations, Figure 10H process 1070 may be performed inFigure 9 The AP MLD in the frame 904 transmits the frame and then it is executed.

[0174] At block 1072, the first AP receives an indication of one or more critical updates regarding a corresponding secondary communication link from a corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD associated with the corresponding secondary communication link. At block 1074, the first AP transmits a spontaneous broadcast probe response frame on the first communication link, the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame carrying a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0175] In some implementations, the transmission of the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame occurs after a period of time after the latest beacon frame transmission from the first AP of the AP MLD. In some instances, the latest beacon frame transmission from the first AP of the AP MLD includes an indication of the transmission of the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame from the first AP of the AP MLD.

[0176] In some implementations, the set of operating parameters may include one or more of the following: Channel Switch Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, Quiet Time Element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operating Mode (OM) parameters, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameters, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameters, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameters, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameters, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0177] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating an example process 1100 for wireless communication to support communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 1100 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 1100 may be operated by or within a wireless communication device that is a wireless station (STA) (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively). For Figure 11 example, process 1100 is performed by the STA of the STA MLD.

[0178] At block 1102, the STA MLD associates with a first AP of an access point (AP) MLD. The AP MLD includes one or more secondary APs associated with one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD. At block 1104, the STA MLD receives a frame from the first AP on a first communication link of the AP MLD. The frame may include one or more operating parameters for the first communication link, a first change sequence number (CSN) indicating the presence or absence of a critical update regarding the first communication link of the AP MLD, and one or more secondary CSNs, each of the one or more secondary CSNs indicating the presence or absence of a critical update regarding a corresponding secondary communication link of the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

[0179] In some implementations, the frame may be one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a re-association response frame. In some implementations, the critical update may correspond to a change in one or more operating parameters of the BSS, and the critical update is associated with at least one of the first communication link or the one or more secondary communication links. In some implementations, the one or more operating parameters may include at least one of the following: channel switch announcement (CSA), extended CSA, wideband CSA, enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters, multi-user (MU) EDCA parameters, silent period element, direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, contention-free (CF) parameter set, operating mode (OM) parameters, uplink (UL) orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) random access (UORA) parameters, target wait time (TWT) parameters, BSS color change, FILS parameters, spatial reuse (SR) parameters, high throughput (HT) operation, very high throughput (VHT) operation, high efficiency (HE) operation, or extremely high throughput (EHT) operation.

[0180] In some implementations, the first CSN may indicate the most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters for the first communication link, and each of the one or more secondary CSNs may indicate the most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In some implementations, the first CSN and the one or more secondary CSNs may be carried in the sequence counter field of the frame. In some other instances, the first CSN and the one or more secondary CSNs may be carried in an information element.

[0181] In some implementations, the frame may include a multi-link element (MLE) carrying the one or more secondary CSNs. In some instances, the MLE may include one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each per-link profile sub-element among the one or more per-link profile sub-elements carries the corresponding secondary CSN in the one or more secondary communication links. In some other instances, the MLE may include a common parameter field carrying the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0182] In some other implementations, the frame may be a beacon frame, and the beacon frame includes one or more per-link profile elements. Each per-link profile element among the one or more per-link profile elements carries the secondary CSN and a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link in the one or more secondary communication links. In some implementations, each per-link profile element among the one or more per-link profile elements may be an information element (IE), and the IE includes the corresponding secondary CSN among the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0183] In some other implementations, the frame may include a multi-link attribute (MLA) element. The MLA element includes one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each per-link profile sub-element among the one or more per-link profile sub-elements carries the secondary CSN and a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link in the one or more secondary communication links. In some instances, the frame may include a reduced neighbor report (RNR) element carrying the one or more secondary CSNs. In some other instances, the RNR element may include one or more neighbor AP information fields, and each neighbor AP information field among the one or more neighbor AP information fields carries the corresponding secondary CSN among the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0184] In some implementations, the frame can be a beacon frame carrying one or more profiles, where each of the one or more profiles carries a complete set of operating parameters for a corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links. In some other implementations, the frame can further include one or more Do Not Transmit (DNT) indications, where each of the one or more DNT indications is associated with a corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD. In some instances, the frame can further include a DNT indication for the first communication link. Each DNT indication can indicate whether a wireless communication device is to refrain from transmitting on the corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In some instances, at least some of the wireless communication devices can monitor the first communication link without monitoring the one or more secondary communication links for the DNT indication. In some implementations, the DNT indication for a corresponding secondary communication link can be based on one or more of the following: a channel switch announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, a silent period announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, or the unavailability of a secondary AP of the AP MLD associated with the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0185] Figure 12A FIG. 1200 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for supporting wireless communication for communication between MLDs in accordance with some implementations. Process 1200 can be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 1200 can be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a wireless station (STA) (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively) or operating within the STA. For an Figure 12A example, process 1200 is performed by an STA MLD. In some implementations, Figure 12A process 1200 can be performed after the STA MLD in block 1104 of Figure 11 receives the frame.

[0186] In block 1202, the STA MLD increments a first CSN counter in the STA of the STA MLD based on a first CSN indicating the existence of a critical update for a first communication link of the AP MLD. In block 1204, the STA MLD increments one or more secondary CSN counters in the STA of the STA MLD based on one or more corresponding secondary CSNs indicating the existence of critical updates for one or more corresponding secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

[0187] In some implementations, the set of operation parameters may include one or more of the following: Channel Switch Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, silent time element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operation Mode (OM) parameters, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameters, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameters, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameters, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameters, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0188] Figure 12B A flowchart illustrating an example process 1210 for wireless communication to support communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 1210 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 1210 may be performed by a wireless communication device that operates as a wireless station (STA) (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively) or a wireless communication device operating within the STA. For an Figure 12B example, process 1210 is performed by an STA Multi-Link Device (MLD). In some implementations, Figure 12B process 1210 may be performed after the STA MLD in block 1104 of Figure 11 receives the frame. In block 1212, the STA MLD suppresses transmission on each secondary communication link for which its corresponding DNT indicates a DNT condition.

[0189] In some implementations, the frame may further include a DNT indication for the first communication link. In some instances, the DNT indication for the first communication link and one or more DNT indications for the one or more corresponding secondary communication links may be carried in a bit map of the frame.

[0190] In some implementations, the DNT indication for a corresponding secondary communication link may be based on one or more of the following: a Channel Switch Announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, a silent time announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, or the unavailability of a secondary AP associated with the corresponding secondary communication link by the AP MLD.

[0191] In some implementations, each DNT indication among the one or more DNT indications may indicate whether the wireless communication device is to suppress transmission on the corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In some instances, the STA of the STA MLD may monitor the first communication link without monitoring the one or more secondary communication links to look for the DNT indication.

[0192] In some implementations, one or more DNT indications for the one or more corresponding secondary communication links may be carried in the multi-link element (MLE) of the frame. In some instances, the MLE may include one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each per-link profile sub-element among the one or more per-link profile sub-elements carries a DNT indication for the corresponding secondary CSN among the one or more secondary communication links. In some other instances, the one or more per-link profile sub-elements may be information elements (IEs). In some instances, the MLE may include a common parameter field that carries one or more DNT indications for the one or more corresponding secondary communication links.

[0193] In some implementations, the frame may include a multi-link element (MLE), and the MLE includes one or more per-link profile sub-elements, where each per-link profile sub-element carries the DNT indication and a complete set of operation parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0194] In some implementations, one or more DNT indications for the one or more corresponding secondary communication links may be carried in the reduced neighbor report (RNR) element of the frame. In some instances, the RNR element may include one or more neighbor AP information fields, and each neighbor AP information field among them carries a DNT indication for the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0195] In some implementations, the set of operation parameters may include one or more of the following: channel switch announcement (CSA), extended CSA, wideband CSA, enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters, multi-user (MU) EDCA parameters, silent time element, direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, contention-free (CF) parameter set, operation mode (OM) parameters, uplink (UL) orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) random access (UORA) parameters, target wait time (TWT) parameters, basic service set (BSS) color change, fast initial link setup (FILS) parameters, spatial reuse (SR) parameters, high throughput (HT) operation, very high throughput (VHT) operation, high efficiency (HE) operation, or extremely high throughput (EHT) operation.

[0196] Figure 12CA flowchart illustrating an example process 1220 for supporting communication between MLDs in wireless communication according to some implementations is shown. Process 1220 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 1220 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a wireless station (STA) (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively) or operating within the STA. For Figure 12C example, process 1220 is performed by an STA multi-link device (MLD). In some implementations, Figure 12C process 1220 may be performed after the STA MLD in block 1104 of Figure 11 receives the frame.

[0197] In block 1222, the STA MLD receives an indication of a do not transmit (DNT) condition for a specified secondary communication link among one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD from a first AP of the AP MLD on a first communication link. In block 1224, the STA MLD suppresses transmission on the specified secondary communication link based on receiving the DNT indication.

[0198] In some implementations, the set of operation parameters may include one or more of the following: channel switch announcement (CSA), extended CSA, wideband CSA, enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters, multi-user (MU) EDCA parameters, silent time element, direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, contention-free (CF) parameter set, operation mode (OM) parameters, uplink (UL) orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) random access (UORA) parameters, target wait time (TWT) parameters, basic service set (BSS) color change, fast initial link setup (FILS) parameters, spatial reuse (SR) parameters, high throughput (HT) operation, very high throughput (VHT) operation, high efficiency (HE) operation, or extremely high throughput (EHT) operation.

[0199] Figure 12D A flowchart illustrating an example process 1230 for supporting communication between MLDs in wireless communication according to some implementations is shown. Process 1230 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 1230 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a wireless station (STA) (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively) or operating within the STA. For Figure 12DFor an example, process 1230 is performed by a STA multi-link device (MLD). In some implementations, Figure 12D Process 1230 of Figure 11 is performed after the STA MLD in block 1104 receives the frame.

[0200] In block 1232, the STA MLD receives a spontaneous broadcast probe response frame from a first AP of the AP MLD on a first communication link, and the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame carries a complete set of operation parameters for a specified secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0201] In some implementations, the transmission of the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame may occur after a period of time after the transmission of the latest beacon frame from the first AP of the AP MLD. In some instances, the transmission of the latest beacon frame from the first AP of the AP MLD may include an indication of the transmission of the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame from the first AP of the AP MLD. In some implementations, the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame may carry a complete set of operation parameters for each secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0202] In some implementations, the set of operation parameters may include one or more of the following: channel switch announcement (CSA), extended CSA, wide bandwidth CSA, enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters, multi-user (MU) EDCA parameters, silent time element, direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, contention-free (CF) parameter set, operation mode (OM) parameters, uplink (UL) orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) random access (UORA) parameters, target wait time (TWT) parameters, basic service set (BSS) color change, fast initial link setup (FILS) parameters, spatial reuse (SR) parameters, high throughput (HT) operation, very high throughput (VHT) operation, high efficiency (HE) operation, or extremely high throughput (EHT) operation.

[0203] Figure 12E A flowchart illustrating an example process 1240 for wireless communication to support communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 1240 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 . In some implementations, process 1240 may be performed by a wireless communication device that operates as a wireless station (STA) (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively) or a wireless communication device operating within the STA. For Figure 12E For an example, process 1240 is performed by a STA multi-link device (MLD). In some implementations,Figure 12E The process 1240 can be performed after the STA MLD in the Figure 11 frame in box 1104 receives the frame.

[0204] At box 1242, the STA MLD receives, on a first communication link, an indication of a key update for a specified secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD from a first AP of the AP MLD.

[0205] In some implementations, the set of operation parameters can include one or more of the following: Channel Switch Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, Quiet Time Element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operation Mode (OM) parameters, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameters, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameters, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameters, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameters, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0206] Figure 12F A flowchart illustrating an example process 1250 for supporting wireless communication for communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 1250 can be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 1250 can be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a Station (STA) (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively) or a wireless communication device operating within the STA. For Figure 12F example, process 1250 is performed by a STA Multi-Link Device (MLD). In some implementations, Figure 12F the process 1250 can be performed after the STA MLD in Figure 12E box 1242 receives the indication of the key update.

[0207] At box 1252, the STA MLD transmits a probe request frame on the first communication link. At box 1254, the STA MLD receives a response frame on the first communication link from a first AP of the AP MLD.

[0208] In some implementations, the response frame may carry a complete set of operation parameters for specifying the secondary communication link. In some implementations, the response frame may carry a complete set of operation parameters for each of the one or more secondary communication links. In some implementations, the probe request frame may be a broadcast probe request frame.

[0209] In some implementations, the probe request frame may carry a CSN that indicates the latest received key update regarding the specified secondary communication link, and the response frame may carry an indication of one or more secondary CSNs missed by the STA of the STA MLD for the specified secondary communication link. In some implementations, the response frame may be a unicast probe response frame that carries one or more key updates missed by the STA regarding the specified secondary communication link.

[0210] In some implementations, the response frame may be one of a unicast probe response frame or a broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operation parameters for the specified secondary communication link. In some implementations, the response frame may be a broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operation parameters for each of the specified secondary communication link and other non-specified secondary communication links.

[0211] In some implementations, the set of operation parameters may include one or more of the following: Channel Switch Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, Silent Time Element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operation Mode (OM) parameters, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameters, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameters, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameters, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameters, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0212] Figure 12G A flowchart illustrating an example process 1260 for wireless communication to support communication between MLDs according to some implementations is shown. Process 1260 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 1260 may be operated by a wireless communication device that is a wireless station (STA) (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively) or a wireless communication device operating within the STA. For Figure 12GFor example, procedure 1260 is performed by the STA multi-link device (MLD). In some implementations, Figure 12F procedure 1260 of Figure 12E is performed after the STA MLD in block 1242 receives an indication of the critical update.

[0213] In block 1262, the STA MLD transmits a probe request frame on the specified secondary communication link. In block 1264, the STA MLD receives a response frame from the secondary AP associated with the specified secondary communication link of the AP MLD on the specified secondary communication link.

[0214] In some implementations, the response frame may carry a complete set of operation parameters for the specified secondary communication link. In some other implementations, the response frame may carry a complete set of operation parameters for each of the one or more secondary communication links. In some instances, the probe request frame may be a broadcast probe request frame.

[0215] In some implementations, the probe request frame may carry a CSN that indicates the most recently received critical update regarding the specified secondary communication link, and the response frame may carry an indication of one or more secondary CSNs for the specified secondary communication link that the STA of the STA MLD has missed. In some instances, the response frame may be a unicast probe response frame that carries one or more critical updates regarding the specified secondary communication link that the STA has missed.

[0216] In some implementations, the response frame may be one of a unicast probe response frame or a broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operation parameters for the specified secondary communication link. In some other implementations, the response frame may be a broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operation parameters for each of the specified secondary communication link and other non-specified secondary communication links.

[0217] In some implementations, the set of operation parameters may include one or more of the following: Channel Switch Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, Quiet Time Element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operation Mode (OM) parameters, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameters, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameters, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameters, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameters, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0218] Figure 13 FIG. 1300 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for supporting communication between MLDs in a wireless communication according to some implementations. Process 1300 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 In some implementations, process 1300 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a wireless station (STA) (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively). For an example of Figure 13 , process 1300 is performed by an STA MLD including at least one first STA. The first STA may be associated with a first communication link of an AP MLD, and the AP MLD may include one or more secondary communication links different from the first communication link. In some implementations, the AP MLD includes a first AP associated with the first communication link, and includes one or more secondary APs associated with one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

[0219] At block 1302, the first STA receives a frame on the first communication link, the frame including an indication of an update to at least one operating parameter of a specified secondary communication link of the AP MLD. At block 1304, the STA MLD determines, based on receiving the indication of the update, that the first STA of the STA MLD cannot support the update to at least one operating parameter of the specified secondary communication link. At block 1306, the STA MLD removes the specified secondary communication link from a multi-link (ML) context established between the STA MLD and the AP MLD.

[0220] In some implementations, the specified secondary communication link may be removed from the ML context by transmitting an action frame to the first AP of the AP MLD on the first communication link, the action frame including a request to update the ML context by removing the specified secondary communication link from the ML context. In some instances, the action frame may be an ML setup update action frame. In some other instances, the action frame may further include an element including one or more updates to a traffic identifier (TID) mapping associated with the ML context. In some instances, the one or more updates to the traffic identifier (TID) mapping may include remapping the TID from the specified secondary communication link to one or more of the first communication link or other non-specified secondary communication links among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0221] In some other implementations, the specified secondary communication link can be removed from the ML context by transmitting an action frame to the first AP of the AP MLD on the first communication link, the action frame including a request to disable the specified secondary communication link. In some other implementations, removing the specified secondary communication link from the ML context does not require disassociating from the first AP of the AP MLD. In some instances, the specified secondary communication link is removed from the ML context without tearing down the ML context.

[0222] In some implementations, the specified secondary communication link can be removed from the ML context by remapping a traffic identifier (TID) from the specified secondary communication link to either the first communication link or one or more of the other unspecified secondary communication links of the one or more secondary communication links. In some other implementations, the specified secondary communication link can be removed from the ML context by keeping the STAMLD in a sleep or doze state on the specified secondary communication link.

[0223] Figure 14A A timing diagram depicting an example multi-link communication 1400 according to some implementations is shown. In Figure 14A the example, the ML communication can be performed between a first wireless communication device (“first device D1”) and a second wireless communication device (“second device D2”). Each of devices D1 and D2 can be any suitable wireless communication device, such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively, or one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively. In the timing diagram 1400, the first device D1 can be the transmitting device, and the second device D2 can be the receiving device. Each of the first device D1 and the second device D2 can be an MLD. For example, the first device D1 can be an AP MLD, and the second device D2 can be a STA MLD.

[0224] At time t 1 , the first device D1 transmits a first packet 1401 on a first communication link (not shown for simplicity), the first packet 1401 including ML information (such as capabilities and parameters) regarding at least the first communication link and a second communication link (not shown for simplicity). Although Figure 14AThe example is described in terms of first and second communication links, but in some implementations, any number of additional communication links may exist, such as third, fourth, or fifth communication links. The first communication link and the second communication link may operate on different frequency bands, or on different channels of the same frequency band. For example, the first communication link may operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the second communication link may operate on the 5 GHz frequency band, and another link (not shown for simplicity) may operate on the 6 GHz frequency band. The first packet 1401 may be a beacon frame or any other frame that can be used to convey ML information.

[0225] In some implementations, the ML information may include one or more of the following: a first operation class of the first communication link; a first wireless channel of the first communication link; a first BSSID of the first communication link; a second operation class of the second communication link; a second wireless channel of the second communication link; or a second BSSID of the second communication link. In some implementations, some or all of the ML information may be included in the link attribute element of the first packet 1401 (as further described with reference to Figure 14B and Figure 15 ), or included in the multi-link element of the first packet 1401 (as further described with reference to Figure 14B 、 Figure 15 and Figure 16A - 16C ). In some aspects, at least one of these operation classes, wireless channels, or BSSIDs may be different. As a non-limiting example, a pair of AP entities with the same operation class may communicate on the same wireless channel. However, the pair of APs may be physically separated (not co-located) and may thus have different MAC addresses (BSSIDs).

[0226] At time t 1 and t 2 between, the second device D2 receives the first packet 1401 from the first device D1 on the first communication link. In some implementations, the first device D1 and the second device D2 may establish at least one ML communication parameter for communicating on the first and second communication links, as further described with reference to Figure 14B . Briefly, since the first packet 1401 includes ML information (such as ML capabilities, ML operation parameters and constraints, and other information) about all the links on which the first device D1 is operating, aspects of the present disclosure enable a STA MLD (such as the second device D2) to discover the AP MLD (such as the first device D1) on any link on which the AP MLD has established a BSS.

[0227] At time t 3, the second device D2 transmits an MLA request 1411 on the first communication link at least in part based on the ML information. The MLA request 1411 can be an association request frame. In some implementations, the MLA request 1411 may include a preference for designating one or more of the first communication link or the second communication link as an anchor link, as further described with reference to Figure 14B and Figure 15 . In some aspects, when there is no other active traffic, a client device (such as the second device D2) can conserve power by waiting on the anchor link (e.g., waiting for a beacon).

[0228] At time t 3 and t 4 therebetween, the first device D1 receives the MLA request 1411 from the second device D2 on the first communication link. In some aspects, the MLA request 1411 may indicate one or more capabilities or security parameters of the second device D2.

[0229] At time t 4 , the first device D1 transmits a second packet 1402 on the first communication link, the second packet 1402 including ML information regarding at least the first communication link and the second communication link. In some implementations, the second packet 1402 can be an association response frame. In some other implementations, the second packet 1402 can be some other suitable frame. In some aspects, the second packet 1402 can confirm or renegotiate one or more second device D2 capabilities for association on multiple links. Thereby, the first device D1 and the second device D2 can establish a common security context applicable to multiple links. For example, the first device D1 and the second device D2 can establish a single encryption key applicable to each of the first communication link and the second communication link.

[0230] In some implementations, the first device D1 can assign different AIDs for each link. For example, in the second packet 1402, the first device D1 can indicate that the AID for the first communication link is 25 and the AID for the second communication link is 26. In some other implementations, the first device D1 can assign a common AID across all links.

[0231] At time t 4 and t 5 therebetween, the second device D2 receives the second packet 1402 from the first device D1 on the first communication link. Subsequently, at time t 6 , the first device D1 associates with the second device D2 at least in part based on the ML information in the second packet 1402. In some implementations, at time t 6 and t 7 therebetween, the first device D1 and the second device D2 can establish a BA session for at least one TID. Finally, at time t7 The first device D1 can communicate with the second device D2 on the first or second communication link based on its association with the second wireless communication device on the first communication link.

[0232] By exchanging the ML information included in the first packet 1401, the first device D1 and the second device D2 can implement aspects of the present disclosure to provide faster discovery of the links available for communication between the first device D1 and the second device D2. Additionally, by exchanging the ML information included in the second packet 1422 or the MLA request 1431, the first device D1 or the second device D2 can also implement aspects of the present disclosure to provide faster handover between the links and more efficient communication on these links. For example, the first device D1 and the second device D2 can switch from communicating on the first communication link to communicating on the second communication link without disassociating or re-associating, thus saving time and resources. Specifically, the second device D2 can receive (such as in the first packet 1401) the ML information regarding the first communication link, the second communication link, or any link on which the first device D1 has established a BSS. Thus, aspects of the present disclosure enable the second device D2 to discover the first device D1 on any link on which the first device D1 has established a BSS.

[0233] Figure 14B A timing diagram depicting an example of multi-link communication 1420 according to some implementations is shown. In Figure 14B the example, the communication can be exchanged between a first wireless communication device (“first device D1”) and a second wireless communication device (“second device D2”). Each of the devices D1 and D2 can be any suitable wireless communication device, such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively, or one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively. In the timing diagram 1420, the first device D1 can be the transmitting device, and the second device D2 can be the receiving device. Each of the devices D1 and D2 can be an MLD. In some implementations, the multi-link communication 1420 can be a more detailed example of the multi-link communication 1400 shown in Figure 14A .

[0234] At time t 1 , the first device D1 transmits a first packet 1421 on a first communication link (not shown for simplicity). As described with reference to Figure 14A , the first packet 1421 can include the ML information for at least the first communication link and the second communication link (not shown for simplicity). Although Figure 14BThe example is described in terms of first and second communication links, but in some implementations, any number of additional communication links may exist, such as third, fourth, or fifth communication links. For example, the first packet 1421 may uniquely identify each link based on a limited set of information (tuple). In some implementations, the tuple may include {operating class, channel, and BSSID}, which may be indicated in a field (such as a 6-octet field) of the first packet 1421, where the operating class indicates the operating class of the link, the channel indicates the channel of the link, and the BSSID BSSID indicates the BSSID of the link. Example operating classes may be one of the 2.4 GHz spectrum, 5G Hz spectrum, or 6G Hz spectrum.

[0235] In Figure 14B the example, the first packet 1421 is shown to include a link attribute element. "Link attribute element" is an example name, and in some implementations, the link attribute element may have any other name. The link attribute element may include certain ML information about one or more links. In some instances, the link attribute element may include discovery information, such as the first operating class, the first radio channel, and the first BSSID of the first communication link.

[0236] In this example, the link attribute element is also shown to include an anchor field. The anchor field may indicate that the first communication link is an anchor link. For example, if in the profile of the first communication link in the link attribute element, the anchor bit is set to 1 or some other appropriate value, then the first communication link may be an anchor link. Additionally or alternatively, the anchor field may indicate that the first communication link is not an anchor link. For example, if in the profile of the first communication link in the link attribute element, the anchor bit is set to 0 or some other appropriate value, then the first communication link may not be an anchor link. In some other implementations, setting the anchor bit of the anchor field to 0 may indicate that the first device D1 has not yet specified an anchor link.

[0237] The first grouping 1421 is also shown as including multi-link elements (MLEs). "Multi-link element" is an example name, and in some implementations, an MLE may have any other name. An MLE may include certain ML information regarding one or more links other than the first or the first communication link. As an example, an MLE may include ML information regarding one or more secondary communication links, such as a second communication link and a third communication link. For purposes of discussion, the first communication link may be referred to as the "first communication link", and each of the one or more other links (such as the second communication link) may be referred to as a "secondary communication link". An MLE may include one or more per-link profile subelements, and each per-link profile subelement may include ML information that varies for different secondary communication links. As an example, one of the per-link profile subelements may include a second operating class, a second radio channel, and a second BSSID for the second communication link. In some implementations, the per-link profile subelement for the second communication link may indicate one or more link attributes that are different between the first communication link and the second communication link. Figure 15 and Figure 16A - 16C An example implementation of the MLE is shown.

[0238] At time t 1 versus t 2 Between, the second device D2 receives the first packet 1421 from the first device D1 on the first communication link. In some implementations, the first device D1 and the second device D2 may establish at least one ML communication parameter for communicating on the first communication link based on the information included in the link attribute element. Some example ML communication parameters may include, but are not limited to: frequency band, high throughput (HT) capability, very high throughput (VHT) capability, high efficiency (HE) capability, or extremely high throughput (EHT) capability. In some implementations, the first device D1 and the second device D2 may establish at least one ML communication parameter for communicating on different communication links based on the information included in the MLE. For example, the first device D1 and the second device D2 may establish at least one ML communication parameter for communicating on the second communication link based on the information in the corresponding per-link profile subelement for the second communication link included in the MLE. In some aspects, at least one of these ML communication parameters may be the same for each of the first and second communication links.

[0239] At time t 3, the second device D2 transmits the MLA request 1431 on the first communication link based at least in part on the ML information included in the first packet 1421. In some implementations, such as when the anchor field of the first packet 1421 has not specified an anchor link, the MLA request 1431 may indicate a preference for designating one or more of the first communication link or the second communication link as an anchor link. For example, the second device D2 may indicate its preference for the anchor link by setting the anchor bit to 1 for the preferred anchor link in the MLA request 1431. In some aspects, the second device D2 may indicate more than one preferred anchor link by setting the anchor bit to 1 for each preferred anchor link in the MLA request 1431.

[0240] At time t 3 versus t 4 In between, the first device D1 receives the MLA request 1431 from the second device D2 on the first communication link.

[0241] At time t 4 , the first device D1 transmits a second packet 1422 on the first communication link, the second packet 1422 including ML information regarding at least the first communication link and the second communication link. In some implementations, if the second device D2 indicates a preference for an anchor link in the MLA request 1431, the first device D1 may indicate the assigned anchor link for the second device D2 by setting the anchor bit to 1 (or some other appropriate value) for one of the links in the second packet 1422. In some aspects, even if the second device D2 may indicate a preference for designating a particular link as an anchor link, the first device D1 may designate one or more different links as the anchor link.

[0242] At time t 4 versus t 5 In between, the second device D2 receives the second packet 1422 from the first device D1 on the first communication link. By using the ML information in the second packet 1402, the first device D1 and the second device D2 may then be associated, for example, between time t 5 versus t 6 In between. In some implementations, the first device D1 and the second device D2 may be associated by establishing a shared security context between a first MAC-SAP endpoint of the first wireless communication device and a second MAC-SAP endpoint of the second wireless communication device. In some aspects, each of the first and second MAC-SAP endpoints may be used to communicate on both the first and second communication links. In some aspects, the shared security context may include a single encryption key shared by the first MAC-SAP endpoint and the second MAC-SAP endpoint.

[0243] At time t 6 versus t 7Between the first device D1 and the second device D2, a shared BA session can be established together for one or more TIDs. Thus, the first device D1 and the second device D2 can map the MSDUs of the one or more TIDs to one or more of the first and second communication links. By establishing a shared BA session and mapping one or more TIDs, the first device D1 and the second device D2 can implement aspects of the present disclosure to map (or remap, associate, or re-associate) the one or more TIDs to multiple links without tearing down the shared BA session or establishing a new BA session. Subsequently, the first device D1 and the second device D2 can communicate on the first communication link or the second communication link according to their respective mapped TIDs. In some implementations, the BA session can be established during the "MLA setup" between time t 3 and t 6 After the "MLA setup" between time t

[0244] After time t 7 one or more link conditions (such as the amount of latency) may change, such that the first device D1 remaps one or more of these TIDs to one or more different links. As a non-limiting example, between time t 6 and t 7 the first device D1 may initially have mapped the first TID (such as TID = 4) to the first communication link. Thus, the first device D1 and the second device D2 can exchange packets with TID = 4 on the first communication link before time t TID = 4 7 After time t 7 the first device D1 can remap TID = 4 to the second communication link. In some implementations, the first device D1 can indicate the remapping of TID = 4 to the second device D2 in the third packet 1423. In some aspects, the first device D1 can indicate the remapping of TID = 4 in the ADDBA capability field of the third packet 1423. In some implementations, the first device D1 can transmit one or more additional packets between time t 7 and t 8 as indicated by the N packet.

[0245] After time t 7 and t 8Between them, the first device D1 can remap one or more TIDs from one communication link to another communication link. The first device D1 can indicate this remapping to the second device D2 in the third packet 1423. For example, the first device D1 can remap the first TID (such as TID = 4) from the first communication link to the second communication link and indicate this remapping in the third packet 1423. Upon receiving the third packet 1423, the second device D2 can switch from sending packets with TID = 4 on the first communication link to sending packets with TID = 4 on the second communication link. Since the second device D2 has received information about each of the first and second communication links from the first packet 1421 or the second packet 1422, the second device D2 can switch from communicating for TID = 4 on the first communication link to communicating for TID = 4 on the second communication link without disassociating or re-associating with the first device D1, thus saving time and resources.

[0246] As another non-limiting example, the first device D1 and the second device D2 can establish a common BA session together. In some implementations, the first device D1 can indicate that one or more of the communication links are active or enabled (available for communication) or that one or more of the communication links are inactive or disabled (not available for communication). In this example, the first device D1 can indicate that each of the first and second communication links is active and the third communication link is inactive. For example, when establishing a common BA session, the first device D1 can set the first bit corresponding to the first communication link to 1, set the second bit corresponding to the second communication link to 1, and set the third bit corresponding to the third communication link to 0. Thus, the common BA session can map TID = 4 to the first and second communication links, rather than the third communication link. Subsequently, the condition of one or more of the links may change. For example, the interference on the third communication link may decrease, and the interference on the second communication link may increase. Thus, in this example, the first device D1 can transmit a single signal (such as the third packet 1423) to dynamically remap TID = 4 to the first and third communication links. For example, the third data packet 1423 can indicate that the first bit is set to 1, the second bit is set to 0, and the third bit is set to 1. Since the second device D2 has received information about each communication link and established a common BA session with the first device D1, the second device D2 can dynamically switch from communicating for TID = 4 on the first and second communication links to communicating for TID = 4 on the first and third communication links without disassociating or re-associating with the first device D1 and without transmitting additional communication to the first device D1, thus saving time and resources.

[0247] Additionally or alternatively, the first device D1 may use the third packet 1423 to dynamically map one or more other TIDs to any subset of these communication links. As a non-limiting example, the third packet 1423 may dynamically map TID = 2 to the third communication link, map TID = 5 dynamically to the first and second communication links, map TID = 3 dynamically to the fourth communication link, and map TID = 6 dynamically to all the first, second, third, and fourth communication links. Additionally or alternatively, the client device may indicate to the first device D1 that the client device is capable of operating on a single link, even though more than one link is enabled. For example, the second device D2 may have one antenna and may thus be capable of operating on a single link. In this example, the first device D1 may dynamically map each TID to a single communication link for communicating with the second device D2.

[0248] Figure 15 An example frame 1500 is shown that includes a link attribute element 1510 and a multi-link element (MLE) 1520 that can be used for communication between wireless communication devices. The frame 1500 can be a beacon frame, an association frame, or some other suitable frame. In some aspects, the frame 1500 can be an example implementation of the first packet 1401, the MLA request 1411, or the second packet 1402 described with reference to Figure 14A or an example implementation of the first packet 1421, the MLA request 1431, the second data packet 1422, or the third data packet 1423 described with reference to Figure 14B In some implementations, the frame 1500 can be transmitted by the first device D1 and received by the second device D2, and vice versa. For ease of explanation, some information elements of the frame 1500 may also be referred to as "fields", "sub-fields", "elements", or "sub-elements", which can be considered interchangeable terms for the purposes of the discussion herein. In some implementations, the information elements of the frame 1500 can be referred to by any other suitable terms.

[0249] The link attribute element 1510 may include information about the first communication link described with reference to Figure 14A and Figure 14B In some implementations, the link attribute element 1510 may include discovery information for the first communication link for MLD. In some other implementations, the link attribute element 1510 may include discovery information for one or more secondary communication links for MLD.

[0250] The link attribute element 1510 is shown as including a plurality of fields, the plurality of fields including: an element ID field 1551, a length field 1552, an element ID extension field 1553, a control field 1554, an operation class field 1555, a channel number field 1556, a BSSID field 1557, a timing synchronization function (TSF) offset field 1558, and a beacon interval field 1559. In some implementations, the element ID field 1551 can be 1 octet in length and include an identifier of the link attribute element 1510. In some aspects, the link attribute element 1510 can facilitate the establishment of a shared BA session between a first device D1 and a second device D2, as described with reference to Figure 14B as described. In some implementations, the length field 1552 can be 1 octet in length and indicate the length of the link attribute element 1510. In some implementations, the element ID extension field 1553 can be 1 octet in length. In some implementations, the operation class field 1555 can be 0 or 1 octet in length and indicate the operation class of the first communication link. In some implementations, the channel number field 1556 can be 0 or 1 octet in length and indicate the channel number of the first communication link.

[0251] In some implementations, the BSSID field 1557 can be 0 or 6 octets in length and indicate the BSSID associated with the first communication link. In some implementations, the TSF offset field 1558 can be 0 or 2 octets in length and indicate the TSF offset timing value of packets transmitted on the first communication link. In some aspects, a value of 0 in the TSF offset field 1558 and the beacon interval field 1559 can indicate that the first device D1 is not transmitting beacons on the first communication link. In some implementations, the beacon interval field 1559 can be 0 or 2 octets in length and indicate the beacon interval of beacons transmitted on the first communication link. In some aspects, the values in the TSF offset field 1558 or the beacon interval field 1559 can facilitate faster link switching for certain types of non-AP entities (such as a STA MLD with a single radio). In some implementations, the first device D1 can indicate that it will not transmit beacons on one or more links. For example, the first device D1 can indicate that it is capable of communicating on a second communication link and that the second communication link is dedicated as a data-only channel. In this way, the first device D1 can indicate that the second device D2 can utilize the second communication link, but the first device D1 will not broadcast beacons on the second communication link.

[0252] In some implementations, the control field 1554 can be 1 octet long (8 bits) and include multiple sub - elements, or "sub - fields", "fields", or "control information". The multiple sub - elements can include a link ID sub - element 1561 (bits 1 and 2), an active link sub - element 1562 (bit 3), an independent MLA bit - map sub - element 1563 (bits 4 - 7), and an anchor sub - element 1564 (bit 8). In some implementations, the link ID sub - element 1561 can include a unique identifier for the first communication link. In some aspects, the first device D1 can assign the unique identifier. In some implementations, the control field 1554 may not include the link ID sub - element 1561, or the link ID sub - element 1561 can be included in some other part of the frame 1500. In some implementations, the active link sub - element 1562 can indicate whether the first communication link is currently enabled. As a non - limiting example, the first device D1 can indicate that it is capable of operating on one or more links, and the first device D1 can provide a channel number and a BSSID for each of the one or more links. In some implementations, the active link sub - element 1562 can indicate one or more links on which the first device D1 is not operating. As an example, the first device D1 can indicate that a particular link is disabled so that certain types of (such as non - EHT) devices do not attempt to communicate on that particular link.

[0253] In some aspects, the bit of the active link sub - element 1562 can be reserved for the first communication link. In some implementations, the independent MLA bit - map sub - element 1563 can be a bit - map indicating the particular (second) links with which the first communication link can perform an independent multi - link association (MLA). In some aspects, the bit positions of the independent MLA bit - map sub - element 1563 can correspond to the values of the link ID sub - element 1561. In some aspects, the bit - map can be a two - bit link identifier capable of indicating up to four combinations 0–3. For example, if the second bit for the second communication link is turned on (set to 1), then the first communication link can be capable of operating independently with respect to the second communication link.

[0254] In some implementations, the anchor sub - element 1564 can indicate whether the first communication link is designated as an anchor link. In some aspects, for an auxiliary link, if the active link sub - element 1562 is set to 0 for a particular link, the anchor sub - element 1564 can be reserved, and that particular link may not be usable as an anchor link.

[0255] For Figure 15In an example, the link attribute element 1510 includes fields 1551 - 1559. In some implementations, the link attribute element 1510 may not include one or more of the fields 1551 - 1559 or the subelements 1561 - 1564. In some implementations, the link attribute element 1510 may include one or more different information elements. As a non - limiting example, the link attribute element 1510 may not include any one of the operating class field 1555, the channel number field 1556, the BSSID field 1557, the TSF offset field 1558, or the beacon interval field 1559. As another non - limiting example, the link attribute element 1510 may include each of the operating class field 1555, the channel number field 1556, the BSSID field 1557, the TSF offset field 1558, and the beacon interval field 1559.

[0256] The MLE 1520 is also shown as including a common attribute subelement 1525 and one or more per - link profile subelements 1530(1)–1530(n). The common attribute subelement 1525 may include attributes that are common to each of one or more communication links associated with the MLDs (such as the first device D1 and the second device D2). In some instances, each of the per - link profile subelements 1530(1)–1530(n) may include a value of the most recent key update regarding the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD. In other instances, each of the per - link profile subelements 1530(1)–1530(n) may indicate the presence or absence of a key update associated with the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD. In some other implementations (not shown for simplicity), each of the per - link profile subelements 1530(1)–1530(n) may include each of the operating class field 1555, the channel number field 1556, the BSSID field 1557, the TSF offset field 1558, and the beacon interval field 1559, as further described with reference to Figure 11 And in some other implementations (not shown for simplicity), each of the per - link profile subelements 1530(1)–1530(n) may not include any one of the operating class field 1555, the channel number field 1556, the BSSID field 1557, the TSF offset field 1558, or the beacon interval field 1559.

[0257] Figure 16A An example MLE 1600 that can be used for communication between wireless communication devices is shown. In some aspects, the MLE 1600 may be with reference to Figure 15Example implementation of the described MLE 1520. In some implementations, the MLE 1520 may be included in a frame (such as frame 1500, beacon frame, association request frame, association response frame, or any other suitable frame) transmitted by a first device D1 and received by a second device D2 (and vice versa). For ease of explanation, some information elements of the MLE 1600 may be referred to as "fields", "sub-fields", "elements", or "sub-elements", which may be considered interchangeable terms for the purposes of this discussion. In some implementations, the information elements of the MLE 1600 may be referred to by any other suitable terms.

[0258] The MLE 1600 is shown as including a plurality of fields, which include: an element ID field 1601, a length field 1602, an element ID extension field 1603, a common parameter field 1604, and one or more optional sub-element fields 1605. In some implementations, the element ID field 1601 may be 1 octet in length and include an identifier for the MLE 1600. In some implementations, the length field 1602 may be 1 octet in length and indicate the length of the MLE 1600. In some implementations, the element ID extension field 1603 may be 1 octet in length. In some implementations, the common parameter field 1604 may be 1 octet in length and include common information about each of several secondary communication links. Although only one optional sub-element field 1605 is shown for simplicity, the MLE 1600 may include any suitable number of optional sub-element fields 1605.

[0259] In some implementations, each of the optional sub-element fields 1605 may correspond to one of the secondary communication links and may include ML information (or "ML attributes") about the corresponding secondary communication link that is different from the first communication link. To conserve bits, in some aspects, it may be assumed that ML attributes not included in the corresponding MLE 1600 are inherited from the first communication link. As a non-limiting example, a link attribute element (such as Figure 15 the link attribute element 1510) may include a beacon interval for the first communication link, and the optional sub-element field 1605 corresponding to the secondary communication link may not include a beacon interval for the secondary communication link. In this example, the beacon interval for the secondary communication link may be inherited from the beacon interval for the first communication link included in the link attribute element 1510. In this way, one or more information elements in the optional sub-element field 1605 corresponding to the secondary communication link may be excluded or may include different information. In some other implementations, the MLE 1600 may include a single optional sub-element field 1605 that includes ML information about all or a subset of the secondary communication links.

[0260] The optional sub - element field 1605 is shown as including a plurality of fields, the plurality of fields including: sub - element ID = 0 field 1611, length field 1612, and data field 1613. In some implementations, the sub - element ID = 0 field 1611 can be 1 octet long and includes an identifier for the corresponding optional sub - element field 1605 (such as a value from 0 - 255). In some aspects, the values 1 - 255 can be reserved.

[0261] In some implementations, the length field 1612 can be 1 octet long and indicates the length of the corresponding optional sub - element field 1605. In some implementations, the data field 1613 can be of variable length and can include ML information about the corresponding secondary communication link. In some implementations, the data field 1613 can be an example implementation of one of each link profile sub - elements 1530(1)–1530(n) described with reference to Figure 15 each link profile sub - element 1530(1)–1530(n).

[0262] Figure 16B An example data field 1620 that can be used for communication between wireless communication devices is shown. The data field 1620 can be Figure 16A an example implementation of the data field 1613 and is shown as including a plurality of fields, the plurality of fields including element ID field 1621, length field 1622, element ID extension field 1623, control field 1624, operation class field 1625, channel number field 1626, BSSID field 1627, TSF offset field 1628, and beacon interval field 1629, which can be the same as or similar to the element ID field 1551, length field 1552, element ID extension field 1553, control field 1554, operation class field 1555, channel number field 1556, BSSID field 1557, TSF offset field 1058, and beacon interval field 1559 described with reference to Figure 15 each of the above.

[0263] In some implementations, the control field 1624 can be 1 octet long (8 bits) and includes a plurality of sub - elements, the sub - elements including: link ID sub - element 1641 (bits 1 and 2), active link sub - element 1642 (bit 3), independent MLA bit - map sub - element 1643 (bits 4 - 7), and anchor sub - element 1644 (bit 8), which can be the same as or similar to the link ID sub - element 1561, active link sub - element 1562, independent MLA bit - map sub - element 1563, and anchor sub - element 1564 described with reference to Figure 15 each of the above, except including information about the corresponding secondary communication link rather than the first communication link.

[0264] In some implementations, one or more information elements can be combined, added, moved (moved to one or more other information elements), removed, or otherwise modified for the MLE 1600. Additionally, the names shown for the information elements associated with the MLE 1600 are example names, and in some implementations, one or more of the information elements 1601 - 1644 can have different names.

[0265] Figure 16C An example data field 1630 that can be used for communication between wireless communication devices is shown. In some implementations, the data field 1630 can be Figure 16A an example implementation of the data field 1613 of the optional sub - element field 1605 of. The data field 1630 is shown as including an element ID field 1631, a length field 1632, and an element ID extension field 1633. The element ID field 1631, the length field 1632, and the element ID extension field 1633 can be the same as or similar to the element ID field 1601, the length field 1602, and the element ID extension field 1603, respectively, except that the element ID field 1631, the length field 1632, and the element ID extension field 1633 can include information about the corresponding secondary communication link rather than the MLE 1600. In some aspects, the element ID extension field 1633 can be 0 octets or 1 octet in length. The data field 1634 can have a variable length and can indicate HT capabilities, VHT capabilities, HE capabilities, EHT capabilities, MLD capabilities, and other capabilities.

[0266] Figure 17A A sequence diagram depicting an example multi - link (ML) communication 1700 according to some implementations is shown. In Figure 17A the example, ML communication 1700 can be performed between the STA of the STA MLD and the AP MLD including a first AP (AP1) and a second AP (AP2). AP1 can be associated with the first communication link of the AP MLD, and AP2 can be associated with the secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In some implementations, AP1 and AP2 can be example implementations of one of the AP 102 and AP 602 described above, and the STA can be an example implementation of one of the STA 104 and STA 604 described above, respectively, with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A In the example implementations of one of the AP 102 and AP 602 described above, and the STA can be an example implementation of one of the STA 104 and STA 604 described above, respectively, with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A In the example implementations of one of the STA 104 and STA 604 described above.

[0267] AP1 generates a frame that includes one or more operating parameters for a first communication link, a first change sequence number (CSN) or value indicating the presence or absence of a critical update to the first communication link regarding the AP MLD, and one or more secondary CSNs or values each indicating the presence or absence of a critical update to a corresponding secondary communication link regarding the AP MLD. In some instances, the first CSN or value may be carried in a first change sequence field of the frame, and the one or more secondary CSNs may be carried in one or more corresponding secondary change sequence fields of the frame. In one implementation, a critical update flag or CSN change indicator may be carried in a critical update flag subfield of the frame. AP1 transmits the frame to the STA over the first communication link. In some implementations, the frame may be a beacon frame that includes a first change sequence field carrying the first CSN, one or more secondary change sequence fields each carrying a secondary CSN, one or more per-link profile subelements carrying one or more operating parameters for the first communication link, and a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link. Transmission of such a beacon frame can reduce the power consumption of the STA (such as because the STA does not need to monitor the corresponding secondary communication link), can reduce frame exchange overhead, and can increase the size of the beacon frame.

[0268] The STA receives the frame and obtains the operating parameters for the first communication link, the CSN or value regarding the first communication link, and the CSN or values regarding the secondary communication links. In this way, the STA can determine the current operating parameters and whether there is a critical update regarding the first AP and the associated first communication link, and can also determine whether there is a critical update regarding the secondary AP and the associated secondary communication link without monitoring the secondary communication link.

[0269] AP1 receives a notification of a critical update regarding a secondary communication link and the associated secondary AP from AP2. AP1 increments the secondary CSN or value corresponding to the secondary communication link and the associated secondary AP and transmits a frame to the STA over the first communication link. In some implementations, the frame may include the updated CSN or value regarding the secondary communication link and the associated secondary AP. In some other implementations, the frame may include a complete set of operating parameters for the secondary communication link and the associated secondary AP. In some other implementations, the frame may include a complete set of operating parameters for each secondary communication link associated with the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD.

[0270] The STA may transmit a probe request frame to AP1 over the first communication link. In some implementations, the probe request frame may include the most recently received CSN or value regarding the secondary communication link and the associated secondary AP.

[0271] AP1 can identify the CSNs regarding the secondary communication link and the associated secondary AP that the STA has missed (or otherwise not been correctly decoded). AP1 can transmit a response frame to the STA on the first communication link. In some implementations, the response frame carries the CSN(s) regarding the secondary communication link and the associated secondary AP that the STA has missed. In some other implementations, the response frame carries the complete set of operating parameters for the secondary communication link and the associated secondary AP for which one or more operating parameters have been updated. In some other implementations, the response frame carries the complete set of operating parameters for each secondary communication link associated with the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD.

[0272] In some implementations, the response frame can be a unicast probe response frame that carries one or more key updates regarding the specified secondary communication link that the STA has missed. In some other implementations, the response frame can be a broadcast probe response frame that carries the complete set of operating parameters for each secondary communication link associated with the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD. Transmitting a broadcast probe response frame that carries the complete set of operating parameters for all secondary communication links can reduce the power consumption of the STA (such as because the STA does not need to monitor any of the secondary communication links), can reduce frame exchange overhead, and may increase the size of the broadcast probe response frame.

[0273] Additionally or alternatively, AP1 can transmit a spontaneous broadcast probe response frame to the STA on the first communication link, and the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame carries the complete set of operating parameters for the secondary communication link and the associated secondary AP. Transmitting a spontaneous broadcast probe response frame that carries the complete set of operating parameters for the secondary communication link and the associated secondary AP can reduce the power consumption of the STA (such as because the STA does not need to monitor the secondary communication link), can reduce frame exchange overhead, and may increase the size of the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame (but not as much as reducing the size of the aforementioned broadcast probe response frame).

[0274] Figure 17B A sequence diagram depicting another example of multi-link communication 1710 according to some implementations is shown. In Figure 17B the example, ML communication 1710 can be performed between the STA of the STA MLD and the AP MLD including the first AP (AP1) and the second AP (AP2). AP1 can be associated with the first communication link of the AP MLD, and AP2 can be associated with the secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In some implementations, AP1 and AP2 can be examples of the AP 102 and AP 602 described above respectively, and the STA can be examples of the ones respectively referred to in Figure 1 and Figure 6A in the example implementations of one of the AP 102 and AP 602 described above, and the STA can be examples of the ones respectively referred to in Figure 1 and Figure 6AExample implementation of one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above.

[0275] AP1 generates a frame (the frame includes one or more operating parameters for a first communication link, a first change sequence number (CSN) or value indicating the presence or absence of a critical update for the first communication link of the AP MLD, and one or more secondary CSNs or values each indicating the presence or absence of a critical update for a corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD), and transmits the frame to the STA on the first communication link. In some implementations, the frame can be a beacon frame, the beacon frame carries the first CSN in the first change sequence field, carries the secondary CSN in the corresponding secondary change sequence field, one or more operating parameters for the first communication link in the MLE, and a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link in each link profile sub-element. The transmission of such a beacon frame can reduce the power consumption of the STA (such as because the STA does not need to monitor the corresponding secondary communication link), can reduce the frame exchange overhead, and can increase the size of the beacon frame.

[0276] The STA receives the frame and obtains the operating parameters for the first communication link, the CSN or value for the first communication link, and the CSN or value for the secondary communication link. In this way, the STA can determine the current operating parameters and whether there is a critical update for the first communication link, and can also determine whether there is a critical update for the secondary communication link without monitoring the secondary communication link.

[0277] AP1 receives a Do Not Transmit (DNT) indication for the secondary communication link from AP2. The AP1 asserts the DNT indication for the secondary communication link and transmits a frame on the first communication link. The frame (which can be a unicast frame, a broadcast frame, or a spontaneous probe response frame) includes the asserted DNT indication for the secondary communication link. In some implementations, the DNT indication can be based on one or more of the following: a channel switch announcement for the secondary communication link, a silent period announcement for the secondary communication link, or the unavailability of a secondary AP associated with the secondary communication link of the AP MLD, and can indicate whether a wireless communication device is to refrain from transmitting on the secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In some instances, at least some of the wireless communication devices in the wireless communication device can monitor the first communication link without monitoring the secondary communication link to look for the DNT indication.

[0278] In some implementations, the frame can be a unicast probe response frame that carries one or more key updates regarding the specified secondary communication link that the STA has missed. The transmission of such a unicast probe response frame may result in the minimum size of the unicast probe response frame and may increase the frame exchange overhead (such as because additional frames may be required to carry the operation parameters for the specified secondary communication link). In some other implementations, the frame can be a broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operation parameters for the specified secondary communication link. The transmission of such a broadcast probe response frame can increase the frame size and can reduce the frame exchange overhead. In some other implementations, the frame can be a spontaneous broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operation parameters for all secondary communication links. The transmission of such a spontaneous broadcast probe response frame can increase the frame size and can further reduce the frame exchange overhead (such as compared to the aforementioned broadcast probe response frame).

[0279] In this way, the STA can determine that there is a DNT condition on the secondary communication link and suppress transmissions on the secondary communication link without having to monitor the secondary communication link. Thus, the STA can receive the DNT condition regarding the secondary communication link without consuming the power associated with performing a scan operation on the secondary communication link. The STA can communicate with AP1 on the first communication link.

[0280] Figure 18 A timing diagram depicting an example multi-link communication 1800 according to some implementations is shown. In Figure 18 the example, ML communication 1800 can be performed between the STA MLD and the AP MLD. The AP MLD is shown as including a first AP (AP1) associated with a first communication link (link 1) of the AP MLD, and a second AP (AP2) associated with a secondary communication link (link 2) of the AP MLD. The STA MLD is shown as including a first station (STA1) and a second station (STA2). For Figure 18 the example, STA1 is associated with the first communication link (link 1), and STA2 is associated with the secondary communication link (link 2). In some implementations, AP1 and AP2 can be example implementations of one of the AP 102 and AP 602 described above respectively, and STA1 and STA2 can be example implementations of one of the STA 104 and STA 604 described above respectively. Figure 1 and Figure 6A In the example implementations of one of the AP 102 and AP 602 described above, and STA1 and STA2 can be example implementations of one of the STA 104 and STA 604 described above respectively. [[ and ​ In the example implementations of one of the STA 104 and STA 604 described above.

[0281] Initially, the CSN of AP1 starts from 25, and the CSN of AP2 starts from 45. For ​For example, STA1 remains in the doze state on Link 1. At time t 0 , AP1 sends a beacon frame on Link 1, and the beacon frame indicates that CSN = 25 for Link 1. The beacon frame also includes an MLE, which indicates that CSN = 45 and DNT = 0 for Link 2. Neither STA1 nor STA2 receives the beacon frame from AP1.

[0282] At time t 1 , AP2 sends a beacon frame on Link 2, and the beacon frame indicates that CSN = 45 for Link 2. The beacon frame also includes an MLE, which indicates that CSN = 25 and DNT = 0 for Link 1. STA2 receives the beacon frame, obtains CSN = 25 and DNT = 0 for Link 1, and obtains CSN = 45 for Link 2. Based on DNT = 0, STA2 determines that transmission on Link 1 is allowed.

[0283] At time t 2 , AP1 sends a beacon frame, which includes an ECSA IE with mode = 1 and indicates that CSN = 26 for Link 1. The beacon frame also includes an MLE, which indicates that CSN = 45 and DNT = 0 for AP2. Neither STA1 nor STA2 receives the beacon frame from AP1.

[0284] At time t 3 (which is time t 1 past the TBTT), AP2 sends a beacon frame on Link 2, and the beacon frame indicates that CSN = 45 for Link 2. The beacon frame also includes an MLE, which indicates that CSN = 26 and DNT = 1 for Link 1. STA2 receives the beacon frame, obtains CSN = 26 and DNT = 1 for Link 1, and obtains CSN = 45 for Link 2. Based on DNT = 1, STA2 inhibits transmission on Link 1. In some implementations, the beacon frame transmitted at time t 3 may indicate that AP2 will transmit a probe response frame including a critical update regarding Link 1.

[0285] At time t 4 , STA2 sends a probe request frame on Link 2 to AP2. The probe request frame includes the last CSN for Link 1 received by the STA, which is CSN = 25 (thereby indicating that STA2 missed a critical update on Link 1).

[0286] At time t 5, AP2 sends a probe response frame on link 2. The probe response frame includes an MLE that indicates the ECSA for link 1 with mode = 1. In some implementations, the probe response frame can be a broadcast probe response frame that includes the complete profile for link 2. STA2 receives the probe response frame, obtains the ECSA for link 1 with mode = 1, and determines that transmission on link 1 is not permitted.

[0287] At time t 6 , AP1 sends a beacon frame on link 1. The beacon frame indicates that the CSN for link 1 is 26 and the beacon frame includes an MLE that indicates that the CSN for link 2 is 45 and the DNT for link 2 is 0. The beacon frame also indicates the ECSA for link 1 with mode = 1. Neither STA1 nor STA2 receives the beacon frame from AP1.

[0288] At time t 7 , AP2 sends a beacon frame on link 2. The beacon frame indicates that the CSN for link 2 is 45 and the beacon frame includes an MLE that indicates that the CSN for link 1 is 26 and the DNT for link 1 is 1. STA2 receives the beacon frame, obtains the CSN = 26 and DNT = 1 for link 1, and obtains the CSN = 45 for link 2. Based on DNT = 1, STA2 suppresses transmission on link 1.

[0289] At time t 8 , AP1 sends a beacon frame on a new channel and on link 1. The beacon frame indicates that the CSN for link 1 is 26 and the beacon frame includes an MLE that indicates that the CSN for link 2 is 45 and DNT = 0. STA2 receives the beacon frame, obtains the CSN = 26 and DNT = 1 for link 0, and obtains the CSN = 45 for link 2. Based on DNT = 0, STA2 can contend for media access on link 1.

[0290] At time t 9 , AP2 sends a beacon frame on link 2. The beacon frame indicates that the CSN for link 2 is 45 and the beacon frame includes an MLA element that indicates that the CSN for link 1 is 26 and the DNT for link 1 is 0. STA2 receives the beacon frame, obtains the CSN = 26 and DNT = 1 for link 0, and obtains the CSN = 45 for link 2. Based on DNT = 1, STA2 suppresses transmission on link 1.

[0291] For ​ the example of, the DNT for link 1 at time t 2The ECSA on L1 is asserted. In other implementations, the DNT for Link 1 may be asserted for other reasons or conditions, which include (but are not limited to) other critical updates to Link 1, operating radar signals, unavailability of AP1, or some other error associated with AP1 or Link 1).

[0292] ​ An example MLE 1900 that can be used for communication between wireless communication devices is shown. In some aspects, MLE 1900 can be an example implementation of the MLE 1520 described with reference to ​ In some implementations, MLE 1520 can be included in a frame (such as frame 1500, beacon frame, association request frame, association response frame, or any other suitable frame) transmitted by a first device D1 and received by a second device D2 (and vice versa). For ease of explanation, some information elements of MLE 1900 may be referred to as "fields", "sub - fields", "elements", or "sub - elements", which can be considered interchangeable terms for the purposes of this discussion. In some implementations, the information elements of MLE 1900 can be referred to by any other suitable terms.

[0293] MLE 1900 is shown as including a plurality of fields, which include: element ID field 1902, length field 1904, element ID extension field 1906, common parameter field 1908, and one or more per - link profile sub - element fields 1910(1)–1910(n). In some implementations, the element ID field 1902 can be 1 octet long and include an identifier for MLE 1900. In some implementations, the length field 1904 can be 1 octet long and indicate the length of MLE 1900. In some implementations, the element ID extension field 1906 can be 1 octet long. In some implementations, the common parameter field 1908 can be 1 octet long and include common information about each of several secondary communication links. The per - link profile sub - elements 1910(1)–1910(n) can have different lengths and can carry information including (but not limited to) the CSN for the corresponding secondary communication link, critical updates for the corresponding secondary communication link, operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link, a partial profile for the corresponding secondary communication link, a DNT indication for the corresponding secondary communication link, discovery information about the corresponding secondary communication link, and capability information about the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0294] To save bits, in some aspects, it can be assumed that attributes, capabilities, operating parameters, or other values not included in the corresponding per - link profile sub - element MLE 1910 are inherited from the first communication link. As a non - limiting example, a link attribute element (such as ​The link attribute element 1510) may include the CSN for the first communication link, and each link profile sub-element field 1910 corresponding to the secondary communication link may not include the CSN for the secondary communication link. In this example, the CSN for the secondary communication link may be inherited from the CSN for the first communication link included in the link attribute element 1510. In this way, one or more of the per-link profile sub-element fields 1910(1)–1910(n) may be excluded or may include different information. In some other implementations, the MLE 1900 may include a single per-link profile sub-element field 1910 that includes information for all or a subset of the secondary communication links.

[0295] In some implementations, the data field 1916 may include multiple sub-elements, which include: a link ID sub-element 1932, a key update field 1934, a DNT field 1936, and one or more elements 1938(1)–1938(n) carrying any suitable information about the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0296] In some implementations, one or more information elements or fields may be combined, added, moved (moved to one or more other information elements), removed, or otherwise modified for the MLE 1900. Additionally, the names shown for the information elements or fields associated with the MLE 1900 are example names, and in some implementations, one or more of the information elements or fields may have different names.

[0297] ​ An example reduced neighbor report (RNR) element 2000 that can be used for communication between wireless communication devices is shown. The RNR element 2000 is shown as including an element ID field 2002, a length field 2004, and one or more neighbor AP information fields 2006 (only one neighbor AP information field is shown for simplicity).

[0298] In some implementations, each neighbor AP information field 2006 includes a TBTT information header 2011, an operation class field 2012, a channel number field 2013, a TBTT information set field 2014, a key update field 2015, and a DNT field 2016. The update field 2015 may carry an indication of a key update for the corresponding secondary communication link, and the DNT field 2016 may carry a DNT indication for the corresponding secondary communication link. In some other implementations, the RNR element 2000 may be extended to include a link ID field that stores one or more unique link IDs that can be used to map entries in the neighbor AP information field 2006 to the information in each link profile sub-element stored in the MLE.

[0299] In some implementations, one or more information elements or fields may be combined, added, moved (moved to one or more other information elements), removed, or otherwise modified for the RNR element. Additionally, the names shown for the information elements or fields associated with the RNR element 2000 are example names, and in some implementations, one or more of the information elements or fields may have different names.

[0300] ​ A sequence diagram 2100 depicting another example of multi-link communication 2100 according to some implementations is shown. In ​ the example, ML communication 2100 may be performed between an AP MLD and a STA MLD. In some implementations, the AP MLD may be an example implementation of one of the AP 102 and AP 602 respectively referred to in ​ and ​ in the above-described example implementations, and the STA MLD may be an example implementation of one of the STA 104 and STA 604 respectively referred to in ​ and ​ in the above-described example implementations.

[0301] The AP MLD and the STA MLD exchange one or more of discovery information, authentication information, or association information on a first communication link. In some implementations, the first communication link is associated with a first AP of the AP MLD and a first STA of the STA MLD.

[0302] The AP MLD and the STA MLD establish a multi-link (ML) context based on one or more of the exchanged discovery information, authentication information, or association information. In some implementations, the ML context includes the identification of one or more communication links that can be used for communication between the AP MLD and the STA MLD.

[0303] The AP MLD transmits a first frame to the STA MLD on the first communication link. The first frame may include a request to modify the identification of the one or more communication links in the ML context. In some implementations, the AP MLD receives the first frame from the STA MLD.

[0304] The AP MLD receives a second frame from the STA MLD on the first communication link. The second frame may be in response to the first frame and indicate acceptance, rejection, or modification of the request. In some implementations, the AP MLD transmits the second frame to the STA MLD.

[0305] The AP MLD determines whether the second frame indicates acceptance, rejection, or modification of the request included in the first frame. The AP MLD selectively modifies the identification of the one or more communication links in the ML context based on determining whether the second frame indicates acceptance, rejection, or modification of the request.

[0306] In some implementations, the AP MLD transmits a third frame to the STA MLD on a first communication link. In some implementations, the third frame includes a request to add at least one additional communication link to the identification of one or more communication links in the ML context. In some implementations, the third frame includes: an action frame containing a link identifier that uniquely identifies the at least one additional communication link. In some implementations, the AP MLD receives the third frame from the STA MLD.

[0307] In some instances, the AP MLD receives a fourth frame from the STA MLD on a first communication link. The fourth frame may be in response to the third frame and indicate acceptance or rejection of the request in the third frame. If the fourth frame indicates acceptance of the request included in the third frame, the AP MLD adds at least one additional communication link to the identification of one or more communication links in the ML context. If the fourth frame indicates rejection of the request included in the third frame, the AP MLD suppresses adding at least one additional communication link to the identification of one or more communication links in the ML context. In some implementations, the AP MLD transmits the fourth frame to the STA MLD.

[0308] In some implementations, the AP MLD transmits a fifth frame to the STA MLD on a first communication link. In some implementations, the fifth frame includes a request to remove at least one additional communication link from the identification of one or more communication links in the ML context. In some implementations, the fifth frame includes: an action frame containing a link identifier that uniquely identifies the at least one communication link. In some implementations, the AP MLD receives the fifth frame from the STA MLD.

[0309] In some instances, the AP MLD receives a sixth frame from the STA MLD on a first communication link. The sixth frame may be in response to the fifth frame and indicate acceptance or rejection of the request in the fifth frame. If the sixth frame indicates acceptance of the request included in the fifth frame, the AP MLD removes at least one communication link from the identification of one or more communication links in the ML context. If the sixth frame indicates rejection of the request included in the fifth frame, the AP MLD suppresses removing at least one communication link from the identification of one or more communication links in the ML context. In some implementations, the AP MLD transmits the sixth frame to the STA MLD.

[0310] In some implementations, the AP MLD transmits a seventh frame to the STA MLD on a first communication link. In some implementations, the seventh frame includes a request to change at least one of the identified communication links to a new communication link. In some implementations, the seventh frame includes: an action frame containing a link identifier that uniquely identifies the new communication link. In some implementations, the AP MLD receives the seventh frame from the STA MLD.

[0311] In some instances, the AP MLD receives an eighth frame from the STA MLD on the first communication link. The eighth frame may be in response to the seventh frame and indicate acceptance or rejection of the request in the seventh frame. If the eighth frame indicates acceptance of the request included in the seventh frame, the AP MLD changes at least one of the communication links identified in the ML context to the new communication link. If the eighth frame indicates rejection of the request included in the seventh frame, the AP MLD refrains from changing at least one of the communication links identified in the ML context to the new communication link. In some implementations, the AP MLD transmits the eighth frame to the STA MLD.

[0312] ​ A flowchart illustrating an example process 2200 for supporting wireless communication for modifying communication links between MLDs in accordance with some implementations is shown. Process 2200 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to ​ ). In some implementations, process 2200 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a STA (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to ​ and ​ respectively) or operating within the STA. In other implementations, process 2200 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to ​ and ​ respectively) or operating within the AP.

[0313] In some implementations, process 2200 begins at block 2202 by exchanging one or more of discovery information, authentication information, or association information between a first AP of an AP MLD and a first STA of a wireless station (STA) MLD over a first communication link, the first communication link being associated with the first AP of the AP MLD and with the first STA of the STA MLD. At block 2204, process 2200 proceeds to establish a multi-link (ML) context between the AP MLD and the STA MLD based on one or more of the exchanged discovery information, authentication information, or association information, where the ML context includes an identification of one or more communication links available for communication between the AP MLD and the STA MLD. At block 2206, process 2200 proceeds to transmit a first frame to the STA MLD or receive a first frame from the STA MLD over the first communication link, the first frame including a request to modify an identification of one or more communication links in the ML context. At block 2208, process 2200 proceeds to receive a second frame from the STA MLD or transmit a second frame to the STA MLD over the first communication link, the second frame being responsive to the first frame and indicating acceptance, rejection, or modification of the request. At block 2210, process 2200 proceeds to selectively modify an identification of one or more communication links in the ML context based on the second frame indicating acceptance, rejection, or modification of the request.

[0314] In some implementations, the ML context includes a shared security context between a first media access control service access point (MAC-SAP) endpoint of the AP MLD and a second MAC-SAP endpoint of the STA MLD. In some instances, each of the first and second MAC-SAP endpoints is configured to communicate over the communication links identified by the ML context.

[0315] In some implementations, the first frame is a management frame. In some instances, the management frame is an association request frame, a re-association request frame, an association response frame, or a re-association response frame. In some other instances, the management frame is a protected action frame. The protected action frame may indicate one or more of: the maximum number of communication links supported by the AP MLD or the STA MLD, or the number of currently available communication links associated with the AP MLD. The protected action frame may further include one or more group transient keys (GTKs).

[0316] In some implementations, the protected action frame contains protected ML information, which includes one or more of the following: a common security context, block acknowledgment (BA) session information, a traffic identifier (TID) value, a mapping between a communication link associated with an AP MLD, operation parameters of an AP MLD or a STA MLD, or capability information of an AP MLD or a STA MLD. In some instances, the protected ML information is included in one or more fields or information elements (IEs) carried in the protected action frame.

[0317] ​ A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for modifying a communication link between MLDs according to some other implementations. Process 2300 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to ​ ). In some implementations, process 2300 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a STA (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to ​ and ​ ), respectively) or operating within a STA. In other implementations, process 2300 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to ​ and ​ ), respectively) or operating within an AP.

[0318] In some implementations, process 2300 begins at block 2302 by sending to or receiving from a STA MLD a protected action frame that indicates the maximum number of communication links supported by the AP MLD or the STA MLD, or the number of currently available communication links associated with the AP MLD.

[0319] ​ A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for modifying a communication link between MLDs according to some other implementations. Process 2400 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to ​ ). In some implementations, process 2400 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a STA (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to ​ and ​ ), respectively) or operating within a STA. In other implementations, process 2400 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to ​ and ​ ), respectively) or operating within an AP. In some implementations, operation 2400 may be​ One implementation of the operation 2200 in block 2210 that selectively modifies the identity of one or more communication links. In some other implementations, operation 2400 may be performed after ​ the selective modification of the identity in block 2210 of operation 2200.

[0320] In some implementations, process 2400 begins at block 2402 by determining whether the second frame indicates acceptance or rejection of the request included in the first frame. In some instances, at block 2404, if the second frame indicates acceptance of the request included in the first frame, process 2400 proceeds to add at least one additional communication link to the identity of one or more communication links in the ML context based on the indication of acceptance of the request by the second frame. In some other instances, at block 2406, if the second frame indicates rejection of the request included in the first frame, process 2400 proceeds to inhibit adding at least one additional communication link to the identity of one or more communication links in the ML context based on the indication of rejection of the request by the second frame.

[0321] In some implementations, the first frame includes a request to add at least one additional communication link to the identity of one or more communication links in the ML context. In some instances, the first frame is an action frame that includes a link identifier that uniquely identifies the at least one additional communication link. In some instances, the action frame further includes one or more of the following: the media access control (MAC) address of the corresponding STA of the STAMLD associated with the at least one additional communication link, or the MAC address of the corresponding AP of the APMLD associated with the at least one additional communication link. In some implementations, the at least one additional communication link is a secondary communication link associated with a second AP of the APMLD and a second STA of the STAMLD.

[0322] ​ A flowchart is shown that illustrates an example process for supporting wireless communication for modifying communication links between MLDs according to some other implementations. Process 2500 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to ​ ). In some implementations, process 2500 may be performed by a wireless communication device that operates as a STA (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to ​ and ​ respectively) or operates within a STA. In other implementations, process 2500 may be performed by a wireless communication device that operates as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to ​ and ​ respectively) or operates within an AP. In some implementations, operation 2500 may be​ One implementation of operation 2200 of block 2210 that selectively modifies the identity of one or more communication links. In some other implementations, operation 2500 may be performed after ​ the identity is selectively modified in block 2210 of operation 2200.

[0323] In some implementations, process 2500 begins at block 2502 by determining whether the second frame indicates acceptance or rejection of a request included in the first frame. In some instances, at block 2504, if the second frame indicates acceptance of the request included in the first frame, process 2500 proceeds to remove at least one communication link from the identities of one or more communication links in the ML context based on the indication of acceptance of the request by the second frame. In some other instances, at block 2506, if the second frame indicates rejection of the request included in the first frame, process 2500 proceeds to inhibit removing at least one communication link from the identities of one or more communication links in the ML context based on the indication of rejection of the request by the second frame.

[0324] In some implementations, the first frame includes a request to remove at least one communication link from the identities of one or more communication links in the ML context. In some instances, the first frame is an action frame that includes a link identifier that uniquely identifies the at least one communication link. In some implementations, the action frame further includes one or more of the following: the media access control (MAC) address of the corresponding STA of the STA MLD associated with the at least one communication link, or the MAC address of the corresponding AP of the AP MLD associated with the at least one communication link. In some instances, the at least one communication link is a secondary communication link associated with a second AP of the AP MLD and a second STA of the STA MLD.

[0325] ​ A flowchart illustrating an example process for supporting wireless communication for modifying communication links between MLDs according to some other implementations is shown. Process 2600 may be performed by a first wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to ​ ). In some implementations, process 2600 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a STA (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to ​ and ​ respectively) or operating within the STA. In other implementations, process 2600 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to ​ and ​ respectively) or operating within the AP. In some implementations, operation 2600 may be ​An implementation of selectively modifying the identifier of one or more communication links in block 2210 of operation 2200. In some other implementations, operation 2600 may be performed after ​ selectively modifying the identifier in block 2210 of operation 2200.

[0326] In some implementations, process 2600 begins at block 2602 by determining whether the second frame indicates acceptance or rejection of a request included in the first frame. In some instances, at block 2604, if the second frame indicates acceptance of the request included in the first frame, process 2600 proceeds to change at least one communication link identified in the ML context to a new communication link based on the indication of acceptance of the request in the second frame. In some other instances, at block 2606, if the second frame indicates rejection of the request included in the first frame, process 2600 proceeds to refrain from changing at least one communication link identified in the ML context based on the indication of rejection of the request in the second frame.

[0327] In some implementations, the first frame includes a request to change at least one of the identified communication links to a new communication link. In some instances, the first frame is an action frame that includes a link identifier that uniquely identifies the new communication link. In some implementations, the action frame further includes one or more of the following: the media access control (MAC) address of the corresponding STA of the STA MLD associated with the new communication link, or the MAC address of the corresponding AP of the AP MLD associated with the new communication link. In some instances, the new communication link includes a secondary communication link associated with a second AP of the AP MLD and a second STA of the STA MLD.

[0328] ​ A flowchart illustrating an example process 2700 for supporting wireless communication indicating a critical update regarding an MLD according to some other implementations is shown. Process 2700 may be performed by a wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to ​ . In some implementations, process 2700 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as the AP 102 and 602 described above with reference to ​ and ​ respectively) or a wireless communication device operating within the AP. For ​ example, process 2700 is performed by an AP MLD that includes a first AP and one or more secondary APs. The first AP may be associated with a first communication link of the AP MLD, and each secondary AP may be associated with a corresponding secondary communication link of one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

[0329] At block 2702, a first AP of the AP MLD generates a frame that includes a first change sequence field and one or more secondary change sequence fields. The first change sequence field may indicate the presence or absence of a critical update associated with the first communication link of the AP MLD. Each of the secondary change sequence fields may indicate the presence or absence of a critical update associated with a corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD. At block 2704, the first AP transmits the frame over the first communication link of the AP MLD. The frame may be one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, a re-association response frame, or a fast initial link setup (FILS) discovery frame.

[0330] In some implementations, the frame may include a multi-link element (MLE) carrying the first change sequence field. In some instances, the MLE may include one or more operating parameters for the first communication link of the AP MLD. In some other instances, the MLE may further include one or more per-link profile sub-elements, each per-link profile sub-element carrying one or more operating parameters for a corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In one implementation, each per-link profile sub-element may carry a partial set or a complete set of operating parameters of a basic service set (BSS) associated with the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD. In other implementations, one or more secondary change sequence fields may be included in one or more corresponding reduced neighbor report (RNR) elements carried in the frame.

[0331] In some implementations, the first change sequence field may indicate a most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters of a basic service set (BSS) associated with the first AP and the associated first communication link of the AP MLD; and each of the one or more secondary change sequence fields may indicate a most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters of a BSS associated with the corresponding secondary AP and the associated secondary communication link of the AP MLD.

[0332] In some implementations, a critical update regarding a corresponding communication link may correspond to a change in one or more operating parameters of a BSS associated with the corresponding communication link. In some instances, the one or more operating parameters may include at least one of the following: CSA, extended CSA, wideband CSA, EDCA parameters, MU EDCA parameters, silent period element, DSSS parameter set, CF parameter set, OM, UORA parameters, TWT parameters, BSS color change, FILS parameters, SR parameters, HT operation, VHT operation, HE operation, or EHT operation.

[0333] ​FIG. 2800 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for supporting wireless communication indicating a critical update regarding MLD according to some other implementations. Process 2800 may be performed by a wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 . In some implementations, process 2800 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively) or a wireless communication device operating within the AP. For an example of Figure 28 , process 2800 is performed by an AP MLD including a first AP and one or more secondary APs. In some implementations, process 2800 may be performed after the AP MLD in block 2704 of Figure 27 transmits the frame.

[0334] In block 2802, the first AP of the AP MLD receives a notification of a critical update regarding a secondary communication link associated with a secondary AP from one of the one or more secondary APs of the AP MLD. In block 2804, the first AP of the AP MLD increments the value of the secondary change sequence field associated with the corresponding secondary AP based on the notification.

[0335] Figure 29 FIG. 2900 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for supporting wireless communication indicating a critical update regarding MLD according to some other implementations. Process 2900 may be performed by a wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 . In some implementations, process 2900 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively) or a wireless communication device operating within the AP. For an example of Figure 29 , process 2900 is performed by an AP MLD including a first AP and one or more secondary APs. In some implementations, process 2900 may be performed after the AP MLD in block 2704 of Figure 27 transmits the frame.

[0336] At block 2902, a first AP of the AP MLD receives a probe request frame from a STA of a wireless station (STA) MLD. At block 2904, the first AP of the AP MLD transmits a response frame on a first communication link to the STA MLD, the response frame including a partial set of operating parameters or a complete set of operating parameters of one or more corresponding BSSs associated with one or more corresponding secondary APs of the AP MLD. In some instances, the response frame may include a complete set of operating parameters for at least one of one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD. In some other instances, the response frame may include a partial set of operating parameters for one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

[0337] Figure 30 A flowchart illustrating an example process 3000 for supporting wireless communication indicative of a critical update regarding an MLD according to some other implementations is shown. Process 3000 may be performed by a wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 3000 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an AP (such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively) or operating within an AP. For Figure 30 example, process 3000 is performed by an AP MLD including a first AP and one or more secondary APs. In some implementations, process 3000 may be performed after the AP MLD transmits the frame in block 2704 of Figure 27 .

[0338] At block 3002, a first AP of the AP MLD receives an indication of a critical update regarding a corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD. At block 3004, the first AP of the AP MLD transmits a spontaneous broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD. In some implementations, the first AP of the AP MLD may provide an indication of transmitting the complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD before transmitting the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame. In some instances, the indication may be provided in a management frame (such as, but not limited to, a beacon frame). In this way, the STA MLD may be informed that the AP MLD will soon transmit a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary AP, and thus the STA MLD does not need to transmit an ML probe request to solicit updated operating parameters for the corresponding secondary AP.

[0339] Figure 31A flowchart illustrating an example process 3100 for supporting wireless communication indicating a critical update regarding MLD according to some other implementations is shown. Process 3100 may be performed by a wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 3100 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as an STA (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively) or operating within an STA. For an example of Figure 31 , process 3100 is performed by an STA MLD including a first STA and one or more secondary STAs.

[0340] In block 3102, the STA MLD associates with a first AP of the AP MLD, which further includes one or more secondary APs associated with one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD. In block 3104, the STA MLD receives a frame from the first AP on the first communication link of the AP MLD. The frame may be a frame including a first change sequence field and one or more secondary change sequence fields. The first change sequence field may indicate the presence or absence of a critical update associated with the first communication link of the AP MLD. Each of the secondary change sequence fields may indicate the presence or absence of a critical update associated with a corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD. The frame may be one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, a re-association response frame, or a FILS discovery frame.

[0341] In some implementations, the frame may include a multi-link element (MLE) carrying the first change sequence field. In some instances, the MLE may include one or more operation parameters for the first communication link of the AP MLD. In some other instances, the MLE may further include one or more per-link profile sub-elements, each per-link profile sub-element carrying one or more operation parameters for a corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD. In one implementation, each per-link profile sub-element may carry a partial set or a complete set of operation parameters of a basic service set (BSS) associated with the corresponding secondary AP of the AP MLD. In other implementations, one or more secondary change sequence fields may be included in one or more respective reduced neighbor report (RNR) elements carried in the frame.

[0342] In some implementations, the first change sequence field may indicate the most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters of a basic service set (BSS) associated with the first AP and the associated first communication link of the AP MLD; and each of the one or more secondary change sequence fields may indicate the most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters of a BSS associated with the corresponding secondary AP and the associated secondary communication link of the AP MLD.

[0343] In some implementations, the critical update regarding the corresponding communication link may correspond to a change in one or more operating parameters of the BSS associated with the corresponding communication link. In some instances, the one or more operating parameters may include at least one of the following: CSA, extended CSA, wideband CSA, EDCA parameters, MU EDCA parameters, silent time element, DSSS parameter set, CF parameter set, OM, UORA parameters, TWT parameters, BSS color change, FILS parameters, SR parameters, HT operation, VHT operation, HE operation, or EHT operation.

[0344] Figure 32 A flowchart illustrating an example process for supporting wireless communication indicating critical updates regarding an MLD according to some other implementations is shown. Process 3200 may be performed by a wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 ). In some implementations, process 3200 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a STA (such as the STA 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively) or a wireless communication device operating within the STA. For Figure 32 example, process 3200 is performed by a STA MLD including a first STA and one or more secondary STAs. In some implementations, process 3200 may be performed after the STA MLD in block 3104 of Figure 31 receives the frame.

[0345] In block 3202, the STA MLD stores the values carried in the first change sequence field and the one or more secondary change sequence fields of the received frame. In some implementations, storing the value may include incrementing the corresponding change sequence field value in response to the frame indicating a critical update associated with the communication link of the AP MLD corresponding to the stored corresponding change sequence field value in the STA MLD.

[0346] Figure 33 A flowchart illustrating an example process for supporting wireless communication indicating critical updates regarding an MLD according to some other implementations is shown. Process 3300 may be performed by a wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device described above with reference to Figure 5performed by the wireless communication device 500) described above. In some implementations, process 3300 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a STA (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 respectively described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B or within a STA. For an example of Figure 33 , process 3300 is performed by a STA MLD including a first STA and one or more secondary STAs. In some implementations, process 3300 may be performed after the frame is received by the STA MLD in block 3104 of Figure 31 .

[0347] In block 3302, the STA MLD increments the value of the first change sequence field in the STA of the STA MLD based on the first change sequence field indicating the existence of a critical update for the first communication link with the AP MLD. In block 3304, the STA MLD increments the value of one or more secondary change sequence fields in the STA of the STA MLD based on one or more corresponding secondary change sequence fields indicating the existence of critical updates for one or more corresponding secondary communication links.

[0348] Figure 34 FIG. shows a flowchart of an example process 3400 for supporting wireless communication indicating critical updates for an MLD according to some other implementations. Process 3400 may be performed by a wireless communication device (such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 . In some implementations, process 3400 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as a STA (such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 respectively described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B or within a STA. For an example of Figure 34 , process 3400 is performed by a STA MLD including a first STA and one or more secondary STAs. In some implementations, process 3400 may be performed after the frame is received by the STA MLD in block 3104 of Figure 31 .

[0349] In block 3402, the STA MLD transmits a probe request frame to the AP MLD on the first communication link. In block 3404, the STA MLD receives a response frame from the first AP of the AP MLD on the first communication link, the response frame including a partial or complete set of operating parameters of one or more basic service sets (BSSs) associated with one or more corresponding secondary APs. In some instances, the probe request frame may indicate the most recently received critical update for at least one of the secondary APs of the AP MLD.

[0350] Example implementations are described in the following numbered clauses.

[0351] 1. A method for wireless communication performed by an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD), comprising:

[0352] Generating, by a first AP associated with a first communication link of the AP MLD, a frame, the AP MLD further including one or more secondary APs associated with one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD, the frame including:

[0353] One or more operating parameters for the first communication link of the AP MLD;

[0354] A first change sequence number (CSN), the first CSN indicating the presence or absence of a critical update regarding the first communication link of the AP MLD; and

[0355] One or more secondary CSNs, each of the one or more secondary CSNs indicating the presence or absence of a critical update regarding a corresponding secondary communication link of the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD; and

[0356] Transmitting the frame on the first communication link of the AP MLD.

[0357] 2. The method of clause 1, wherein the frame is one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a re-association response frame.

[0358] 3. The method of any one or more of clauses 1-2, further comprising:

[0359] Receiving, by the first AP of the AP MLD, from a secondary AP associated with a corresponding secondary communication link of the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD, a notification of a critical update regarding the corresponding secondary communication link; and

[0360] Incrementing, based on the notification, the secondary CSN corresponding to the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0361] 4. The method of any one or more of clauses 1-3, wherein a critical update regarding at least one of the first communication link or the one or more secondary communication links corresponds to a change in one or more operating parameters of a basic service set (BSS) associated with the corresponding communication link.

[0362] 5. The method of clause 4, wherein the one or more operating parameters include at least one of the following: Channel Switch Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, silent time element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operating Mode (OM) parameter, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameter, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameter, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameter, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameter, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0363] 6. The method of any one or more of clauses 1 - 5, wherein:

[0364] The first CSN indicates the latest critical update to one or more operating parameters for a first communication link; and

[0365] Each of the one or more secondary CSNs indicates the latest critical update to one or more operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD.

[0366] 7. The method of any one or more of clauses 1 - 6, wherein the first CSN and the one or more secondary CSNs are carried in the sequence counter field of the frame.

[0367] 8. The method of any one or more of clauses 1 - 6, wherein the first CSN and the one or more secondary CSNs are carried in an information element.

[0368] 9. The method of any one or more of clauses 1 - 6, wherein the frame includes a Multi-Link Attribute (MLA) element carrying the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0369] 10. The method of clause 9, wherein the MLA element includes one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each of the one or more per-link profile sub-elements carries the corresponding secondary CSN of the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0370] 11. The method of clause 10, wherein each of the one or more per-link profile sub-elements includes an Information Element (IE), and the IE includes the corresponding secondary CSN of the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0371] 12. The method of clause 9, wherein the MLA element includes a common parameter field carrying the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0372] 13. The method of Clause 1, wherein the frame includes a beacon frame, the beacon frame includes one or more per-link profile elements, and each of the one or more per-link profile elements carries the secondary CSN and a complete set of operating parameters for a corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0373] 14. The method of Clause 1, wherein the frame includes a reduced neighbor report (RNR) element that carries the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0374] 15. The method of Clause 14, wherein the RNR element includes one or more neighbor AP information fields, and each of the one or more neighbor AP information fields carries a corresponding secondary CSN among the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0375] 16. The method of any one or more of Clauses 1 - 15, wherein the frame further includes one or more do not transmit (DNT) indications, and each of the one or more DNT indications is associated with a corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

[0376] 17. The method of Clause 16, wherein the frame further includes a DNT indication for the first communication link.

[0377] 18. The method of Clause 17, wherein the DNT indication for the first communication link and the one or more DNT indications for the one or more corresponding secondary communication links are carried in a bit map of the frame.

[0378] 19. The method of Clause 16, wherein the DNT indication for a secondary communication link of one or more secondary communication links is based on one or more of the following: a channel switch announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, a silent period announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, or unavailability of a secondary AP of the AP MLD associated with the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0379] 20. The method of Clause 16, wherein each of the one or more DNT indications indicates whether a wireless communication device is to refrain from transmitting on a corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD.

[0380] 21. The method of Clause 20, wherein at least some of the wireless communication devices monitor the first communication link and do not monitor the one or more secondary communication links to look for the DNT indication.

[0381] 22. The method of Clause 16, wherein the one or more DNT indications for the one or more corresponding secondary communication links are carried in a multi-link attribute (MLA) element of the frame.

[0382] 23. The method as in clause 22, wherein the MLA element includes one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each per-link profile sub-element among the one or more per-link profile sub-elements carries a DNT indication for the corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0383] 24. The method as in clause 1, wherein the frame includes a beacon frame, and the beacon frame includes one or more per-link profile elements, and each per-link profile element among the one or more per-link profile elements carries a DNT indication for the corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0384] 25. The method as in clause 24, wherein each per-link profile element among the one or more per-link profile elements includes an information element (IE), and the IE includes a DNT indication for the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0385] 26. The method as in clause 23, wherein the MLA element includes a common parameter field, and the common parameter field carries one or more DNT indications for one or more corresponding secondary communication links.

[0386] 27. The method as in clause 16, wherein the frame includes a multi-link attribute (MLA) element, and the MLA element includes one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each per-link profile sub-element among the one or more per-link profile sub-elements carries a DNT indication and a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0387] 28. The method as in clause 16, wherein one or more DNT indications for the one or more corresponding secondary communication links are carried in the reduced neighbor report (RNR) element of the frame.

[0388] 29. The method as in clause 28, wherein the RNR element includes one or more neighbor AP information fields, and each neighbor AP information field among the one or more neighbor AP information fields carries a DNT indication for the corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0389] 30. The method as in any one or more of clauses 1 - 29, further comprising:

[0390] receiving, by a first AP of the AP MLD, from a corresponding secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs of the AP MLD, a notification of a do not transmit (DNT) condition regarding the corresponding secondary communication link, the corresponding secondary AP being associated with the corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD;

[0391] asserting a DNT indication corresponding to the corresponding secondary communication link; and

[0392] Broadcast the asserted DNT indication corresponding to the respective secondary communication link on the first communication link.

[0393] 31. The method of clause 1, wherein the frame includes a beacon frame carrying one or more profiles, and each of the one or more profiles carries a complete set of operation parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0394] 32. The method of any one or more of clauses 1 - 31, further comprising:

[0395] Receiving, by the first AP of the AP MLD, from the respective secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs of the AP MLD, an indication of a critical update regarding the respective secondary communication link, the respective secondary AP being associated with the respective secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD; and

[0396] Transmitting, by the first AP of the AP MLD, a spontaneous broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operation parameters for the respective secondary communication link.

[0397] 33. The method of clause 32, wherein the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame carries a complete set of operation parameters for each of the one or more secondary communication links.

[0398] 34. The method of clause 1, further comprising:

[0399] Receiving a probe request frame from a STA of a wireless station (STA) MLD; and

[0400] Transmitting, on the first communication link, a response frame from the first AP of the AP MLD to the STA MLD.

[0401] 35. The method of clause 34, wherein the response frame carries a complete set of operation parameters for the respective secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links for which one or more operation parameters have been updated.

[0402] 36. The method of any one or more of clauses 34 - 35, wherein the request frame is received by one of the first APs of the AP MLD on the first communication link or by the respective secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs of the AP MLD on the respective secondary communication link.

[0403] 37. The method of any one or more of clauses 34 - 36, wherein the response frame carries a complete set of operation parameters for each of the one or more secondary communication links.

[0404] 38. The method as in clause 37, wherein the request frame includes a broadcast probe request frame.

[0405] 39. The method as in clause 36, wherein the probe request frame carries a CSN, the CSN indicating the latest received key update for a specified secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links for the AP MLD, the method further comprising:

[0406] identifying, based on the received CSN, one or more CSNs for the specified secondary communication link missed by the STA of the STA MLD; and

[0407] transmitting a response frame having an indication of one or more secondary CSNs for the specified secondary communication link missed by the STA of the STA MLD.

[0408] 40. The method as in clause 39, wherein the response frame includes a unicast probe response frame, the unicast probe response frame carrying one or more key updates for the specified secondary communication link missed by the STA.

[0409] 41. The method as in clause 40, wherein the one or more key updates missed by the STA are determined based on a comparison between the received CSN and the one or more secondary CSNs missed by the STA.

[0410] 42. The method as in clause 39, wherein the response frame includes one of a unicast probe response frame or a broadcast probe response frame, which carries a complete set of operation parameters for the specified secondary communication link.

[0411] 43. The method as in clause 42, wherein the response frame includes a broadcast probe response frame, the broadcast probe response frame carrying a complete set of operation parameters for each secondary communication link in the specified secondary communication link and other non-specified secondary communication links.

[0412] 44. The method as in clause 1, further comprising:

[0413] receiving, by a corresponding secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs of the AP MLD associated with the specified secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD, a probe request frame from a STA of a wireless station (STA) MLD on the specified secondary communication link; and

[0414] transmitting, by the corresponding secondary AP, a response frame to the STA MLD.

[0415] 45. The method as in clause 44, wherein the probe request frame carries a CSN, the CSN indicating the latest received key update for the specified secondary communication link, the method further comprising:

[0416] Transmit the response frame to the STA MLD together with one or more updated operating parameters for the specified secondary communication link.

[0417] 46. The method of clause 1, further comprising:

[0418] Receiving, by a corresponding secondary AP associated with the specified secondary communication link among one or more secondary APs of the AP MLD, a probe request frame from an STA of a wireless station (STA) MLD on the specified secondary communication link; and

[0419] Transmitting, by the corresponding secondary AP on the specified secondary communication link, a response frame carrying a complete set of operating parameters for the specified secondary communication link to the STA MLD.

[0420] 47. The method of clause 46, wherein the response frame includes one of a unicast probe response frame or a beacon frame.

[0421] 48. The method of clause 1, further comprising:

[0422] Receiving, by a first AP of the AP MLD, an indication of one or more critical updates regarding a corresponding secondary communication link from a secondary AP associated with the corresponding secondary communication link among one or more secondary APs of the AP MLD; and

[0423] Transmitting, on a first communication link, a spontaneous broadcast probe response frame from the first AP of the AP MLD, the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame carrying a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0424] 49. The method of clause 48, wherein the transmission of the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame occurs after a period of time after the transmission of the latest beacon frame from the first AP of the AP MLD.

[0425] 50. The method of clause 49, wherein the transmission of the latest beacon frame from the first AP of the AP MLD includes an indication of the transmission of the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame from the first AP of the AP MLD.

[0426] 51. A method according to any one or more of clauses 31 - 50, wherein the set of operation parameters includes one or more of the following: Channel Switch Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi - User (MU) EDCA parameters, silent time element, Direct - Sequence Spread - Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention - Free (CF) parameter set, Operation Mode (OM) parameters, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency - Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameters, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameters, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameters, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameters, High - Throughput (HT) operation, Very - High - Throughput (VHT) operation, High - Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely - High - Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0427] 52. A wireless communication device, comprising:

[0428] At least one modem;

[0429] At least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one modem; and

[0430] At least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and storing processor - readable code, the processor - readable code being configured to perform a method according to any one of clauses 1 - 51 when executed by the at least one processor in combination with the at least one modem.

[0431] 53. A method for a Station (STA) of a Station Multi - Link Device (MLD) to perform wireless communication, the method comprising:

[0432] Associating with a first Access Point (AP) of an AP MLD, the AP MLD further comprising one or more secondary APs associated with one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD, and

[0433] Receiving, on a first communication link of the AP MLD, a frame from the first AP, the frame comprising:

[0434] One or more operation parameters for the first communication link;

[0435] A first Change Sequence Number (CSN) indicating the presence or absence of a critical update regarding the first communication link of the AP MLD; and

[0436] One or more secondary CSNs, each of the one or more secondary CSNs indicating the presence or absence of a critical update regarding a corresponding secondary communication link of the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

[0437] 54. The method of clause 53, further comprising:

[0438] Incrementing a first CSN counter in the STA of the STA MLD based on a first CSN indicating that there is a critical update regarding a first communication link of the AP MLD; and

[0439] Incrementing one or more secondary CSN counters in the STA of the STA MLD based on one or more respective secondary CSNs indicating that there are one or more respective critical updates regarding one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

[0440] 55. The method of any one or more of clauses 53-54, wherein the frame comprises one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a re-association response frame.

[0441] 56. The method of any one or more of clauses 53-55, wherein the critical update corresponds to a change in one or more operating parameters of a basic service set (BSS), and the critical update is associated with at least one of the first communication link or one or more secondary communication links.

[0442] 57. The method of any one or more of clauses 53-56, wherein the one or more operating parameters comprise at least one of the following: channel switch announcement (CSA), extended CSA, wideband CSA, enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters, multi-user (MU) EDCA parameters, silent time element, direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, contention-free (CF) parameter set, operating mode (OM) parameters, uplink (UL) orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) random access (UORA) parameters, target wait time (TWT) parameters, basic service set (BSS) color change, fast initial link setup (FILS) parameters, spatial reuse (SR) parameters, high throughput (HT) operation, very high throughput (VHT) operation, high efficiency (HE) operation, or extremely high throughput (EHT) operation.

[0443] 58. The method of clause 53, wherein:

[0444] The first CSN indicates the most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters for the first communication link; and

[0445] Each of the one or more secondary CSNs indicates the most recent critical update to one or more operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD.

[0446] 59. The method of clause 53, wherein the first CSN and the one or more secondary CSNs are carried in a sequence counter field of the frame.

[0447] 60. The method as in clause 53, wherein the first CSN and the one or more secondary CSNs are carried in an information element.

[0448] 61. The method as in clause 53, wherein the frame includes a multi-link attribute (MLA) element carrying the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0449] 62. The method as in clause 61, wherein the MLA element includes one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each per-link profile sub-element among the one or more per-link profile sub-elements carries a corresponding secondary CSN among the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0450] 63. The method as in clause 53, wherein the frame includes a beacon frame, and the beacon frame includes one or more per-link profile elements, and each per-link profile element among the one or more per-link profile elements carries the secondary CSN and a complete set of operating parameters for a corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0451] 64. The method as in clause 63, wherein each per-link profile element among the one or more per-link profile elements includes an information element (IE), and the IE includes a corresponding secondary CSN among the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0452] 65. The method as in clause 61, wherein the MLA element includes a common parameter field carrying the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0453] 66. The method as in clause 53, wherein the frame includes a multi-link attribute (MLA) element, and the MLA element includes one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each per-link profile sub-element among the one or more per-link profile sub-elements carries the secondary CSN and a complete set of operating parameters for a corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0454] 67. The method as in clause 53, wherein the frame includes a reduced neighbor report (RNR) element carrying the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0455] 68. The method as in clause 67, wherein the RNR element includes one or more neighbor AP information fields, and each neighbor AP information field among the one or more neighbor AP information fields carries a corresponding secondary CSN among the one or more secondary CSNs.

[0456] 69. The method as in clause 53, wherein the frame includes a beacon frame carrying one or more profiles, and each profile among the one or more profiles carries a complete set of operating parameters for a corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0457] 70. The method of clause 53, wherein the frame further includes one or more Do Not Transmit (DNT) indications, and each DNT indication among the one or more DNT indications is associated with a corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

[0458] 71. The method of clause 70, further comprising:

[0459] Based on a corresponding DNT indication among the one or more DNT indications that indicates a DNT condition on a per-secondary communication link basis, suppressing transmission on the corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

[0460] 72. The method of clause 70, wherein the frame further includes a DNT indication for the first communication link.

[0461] 73. The method of clause 72, wherein the DNT indication for the first communication link and the one or more DNT indications for the one or more corresponding secondary communication links are carried in a bit map of the frame.

[0462] 74. The method of clause 70, wherein the DNT indication for a corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD is based on one or more of: a channel switch announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, a silent period announcement for the corresponding secondary communication link, or unavailability of a secondary AP associated with the corresponding secondary communication link among one or more secondary APs of the secondary AP MLD.

[0463] 75. The method of clause 70, wherein each DNT indication among the one or more DNT indications indicates whether a wireless communication device is to suppress transmission on the corresponding secondary communication link of the AP MLD.

[0464] 76. The method of clause 75, wherein the STA of the STA MLD monitors the first communication link and does not monitor the one or more secondary communication links for the DNT indication.

[0465] 77. The method of clause 70, wherein the one or more DNT indications for the one or more corresponding secondary communication links are carried in a multi-link attribute (MLA) element of the frame.

[0466] 78. The method of clause 77, wherein the MLA element includes one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each per-link profile sub-element among the one or more per-link profile sub-elements carries a DNT indication for a corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0467] 79. The method of clause 78, wherein the one or more per-link profile sub-elements include an information element (IE), and the IE includes a DNT indication for the corresponding secondary communication link.

[0468] 80. The method of clause 77, wherein the MLA element includes a common parameter field, and the common parameter field carries one or more DNT indications for one or more corresponding secondary communication links.

[0469] 81. The method of clause 70, wherein the frame includes a multi-link attribute (MLA) element, the MLA element includes one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each per-link profile sub-element of the one or more per-link profile sub-elements carries a DNT indication and a complete set of operating parameters for the corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0470] 82. The method of clause 70, wherein one or more DNT indications for the one or more corresponding secondary communication links are carried in a reduced neighbor report (RNR) element of the frame.

[0471] 83. The method of clause 82, wherein the RNR element includes one or more neighbor AP information fields, and each neighbor AP information field of the one or more neighbor AP information fields carries a DNT indication for the corresponding secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0472] 84. The method of clause 53, further comprising:

[0473] receiving, on a first communication link, from a first AP of the AP MLD, an indication of a do not transmit (DNT) condition for a specified secondary communication link among one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD; and

[0474] based on receiving the DNT indication, suppressing transmission on the specified secondary communication link.

[0475] 85. The method of clause 53, further comprising:

[0476] receiving, on a first communication link, from a first AP of the AP MLD, a spontaneous broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operating parameters for a specified secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0477] 86. The method of clause 85, wherein transmission of the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame occurs after a period of time following transmission of the most recent beacon frame from the first AP of the AP MLD.

[0478] 87. The method of clause 86, wherein the most recent beacon frame transmission from the first AP of the AP MLD includes an indication of the transmission of the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame from the first AP of the AP MLD.

[0479] 88. The method of clause 85, wherein the spontaneous broadcast probe response frame carries a complete set of operating parameters for each of the one or more secondary communication links.

[0480] 89. The method of clause 53, further comprising:

[0481] Receiving, on a first communication link, from the first AP of the AP MLD, an indication of a critical update regarding a specified secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

[0482] 90. The method of clause 89, further comprising:

[0483] Transmitting a probe request frame on the first communication link; and

[0484] Receiving a response frame on the first communication link from the first AP of the AP MLD.

[0485] 91. The method of clause 89, further comprising:

[0486] Transmitting a probe request frame on the specified secondary communication link; and

[0487] Receiving a response frame on the specified secondary communication link from a secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs of the AP MLD associated with the specified secondary communication link.

[0488] 92. The method of any one or more of clauses 90 or 91, wherein: the response frame carries a complete set of operating parameters for the specified secondary communication link.

[0489] 93. The method of any one or more of clauses 90 or 91, wherein: the response frame carries a complete set of operating parameters for each of the one or more secondary communication links.

[0490] 94. The method of any one or more of clauses 90 or 91, wherein: the probe request frame includes a broadcast probe request frame.

[0491] 95. The method of any one or more of clauses 90 or 91, wherein: the probe request frame carries a CSN that indicates the most recently received critical update regarding the specified secondary communication link, and the response frame carries an indication of one or more secondary CSNs for the specified secondary communication link that the STA of the STA MLD has missed.

[0492] 96. A method as in any one or more of clauses 90 or 91, wherein: the response frame includes a unicast probe response frame that carries one or more key updates for the specified secondary communication link that the STA has missed.

[0493] 97. A method as in any one or more of clauses 90 or 91, wherein: the response frame includes one of a unicast probe response frame or a broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operation parameters for the specified secondary communication link.

[0494] 98. A method as in any one or more of clauses 90 or 91, wherein: the response frame includes a broadcast probe response frame that carries a complete set of operation parameters for each of the specified secondary communication link and other non-specified secondary communication links.

[0495] 99. A method as in any one or more of clauses 66 - 98, wherein the set of operation parameters includes one or more of the following: Channel Switch Announcement (CSA), Extended CSA, Wideband CSA, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, Multi-User (MU) EDCA parameters, Quiet Time Element, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) parameter set, Contention Free (CF) parameter set, Operation Mode (OM) parameters, Uplink (UL) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Random Access (UORA) parameters, Target Wait Time (TWT) parameters, Basic Service Set (BSS) color change, Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) parameters, Spatial Reuse (SR) parameters, High Throughput (HT) operation, Very High Throughput (VHT) operation, High Efficiency (HE) operation, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation.

[0496] 100. A wireless communication device, comprising:

[0497] At least one modem;

[0498] At least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one modem; and

[0499] At least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and storing processor-readable code that, when executed by the at least one processor in combination with the at least one modem, is configured to perform a method as in any one of clauses 53 - 99.

[0500] 101. A wireless communication method performed by a wireless station (STA) multi-link device (MLD), comprising:

[0501] A first STA associated with a first communication link of an STA multi-link device (MLD) with an access point (AP) MLD receives a frame on the first communication link. The AP MLD further includes one or more secondary APs associated with one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD. The frame includes an indication of an update to at least one operating parameter of a specified secondary communication link among the one or more secondary communication links;

[0502] Based on receiving the indication of the update, determine that the first STA of the STA MLD cannot support the update to at least one operating parameter of the specified secondary communication link; and

[0503] Remove the specified secondary communication link from a multi-link (ML) context established between the STA MLD and the AP MLD.

[0504] 102. The method of clause 101, wherein removing the specified secondary communication link from the ML context does not require disassociating from the first AP of the AP MLD.

[0505] 103. The method of clause 101, wherein removing the specified secondary communication link from the ML context does not require tearing down the ML context.

[0506] 104. The method of clause 101, wherein the update to at least one operating parameter of the specified secondary communication includes one or more of the following: a change in the operating channel of the specified secondary communication link, a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the specified secondary communication link, or a change in the bandwidth of the specified secondary communication link.

[0507] 105. The method of clause 101, wherein removing the specified secondary communication link from the ML context includes:

[0508] Transmitting an action frame from the first STA of the STA MLD to the first AP of the AP MLD on the first communication link. The action frame includes a request to update the ML context by removing the specified secondary communication link from the ML context.

[0509] 106. The method of clause 105, wherein the action frame includes an ML setup update action frame.

[0510] 107. The method of clause 105, wherein the action frame further includes an element that includes one or more updates to a traffic identifier (TID) mapping associated with the ML context.

[0511] 108. The method of clause 107, wherein one or more updates to the mapping of the traffic identifier (TID) include remapping the TID from the specified secondary communication link to one or more of the first communication link or other non-specified secondary communication links among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0512] 109. The method of clause 101, wherein removing the specified secondary communication link from the ML context includes:

[0513] Transmitting an action frame from the first STA of the STA MLD to the first AP of the AP MLD on the first communication link, the action frame including a request to disable the specified secondary communication link.

[0514] 110. The method of clause 101, wherein removing the specified secondary communication link from the ML context includes:

[0515] Remapping the traffic identifier (TID) from the specified secondary communication link to one or more of the first communication link or other non-specified secondary communication links among the one or more secondary communication links.

[0516] 111. The method of clause 101, wherein removing the specified secondary communication link from the ML context includes:

[0517] Maintaining the sleep or doze state of the STA MLD on the specified secondary communication link.

[0518] 112. A method for a wireless communication performed by an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD), including:

[0519] Exchanging one or more of discovery information, authentication information, or association information between the first AP of the AP MLD and the first STA of the wireless station (STA) MLD on the first communication link, the first communication link being associated with the first AP of the AP MLD and being associated with the first STA of the STA MLD;

[0520] Based on one or more of the exchanged discovery information, authentication information, or association information, establishing a multi-link (ML) context between the AP MLD and the STA MLD, wherein the ML context includes the identification of one or more communication links available for communication between the AP MLD and the STA MLD;

[0521] Transmitting a first frame to the STA MLD or receiving a first frame from the STA MLD on the first communication link, the first frame including a request to modify the identification of the one or more communication links in the ML context;

[0522] Receiving a second frame from the STA MLD on the first communication link or transmitting a second frame to the STA MLD, the second frame being responsive to the first frame and indicating acceptance, rejection, or modification of the request; and

[0523] Based on the second frame indicating acceptance, rejection, or modification of the request, selectively modifying the identification of the one or more communication links in the ML context.

[0524] 113. The method of clause 112, wherein the ML context includes: a shared security context between a first Media Access Control Service Access Point (MAC-SAP) endpoint of the AP MLD and a second MAC-SAP endpoint of the STA MLD, wherein each of the first MAC-SAP endpoint and the second MAC-SAP endpoint is configured to communicate on the communication link identified by the ML context.

[0525] 114. The method of clause 112, further comprising:

[0526] Sending to the STA MLD or receiving from the STA MLD a protected action frame that indicates the maximum number of communication links supported by the AP MLD or the STA MLD, or the number of currently available communication links associated with the AP MLD.

[0527] 115. The method of clause 112, wherein the first frame includes a management frame.

[0528] 116. The method of clause 115, wherein the management frame includes an association request frame, a re-association request frame, an association response frame, or a re-association response frame.

[0529] 117. The method of clause 115, wherein the management frame includes a protected action frame.

[0530] 118. The method of clause 117, wherein the protected action frame indicates one or more of: the maximum number of communication links supported by the AP MLD or the STA MLD, or the number of currently available communication links associated with the AP MLD.

[0531] 119. The method of clause 117, wherein the protected action frame further includes one or more Group Transient Keys (GTKs).

[0532] 120. The method of clause 117, wherein the protected action frame contains protected ML information, and the protected ML information includes one or more of the following: a shared security context, block acknowledgment (BA) session information, a traffic identifier (TID) value and a mapping between the communication links associated with the AP MLD, operation parameters of the AP MLD or the STA MLD, or capability information of the AP MLD or the STA MLD.

[0533] 121. The method of clause 120, wherein the protected ML information is included in one or more fields or information elements (IEs) carried in the protected action frame.

[0534] 122. The method of clause 112, wherein the first frame includes a request to add at least one additional communication link to the identification of the one or more communication links in the ML context.

[0535] 123. The method of clause 122, wherein the first frame includes an action frame, and the action frame includes a link identifier that uniquely identifies the at least one additional communication link.

[0536] 124. The method of clause 123, wherein the action frame further includes one or more of the following: the media access control (MAC) address of the corresponding STA of the STA MLD associated with the at least one additional communication link, or the MAC address of the corresponding AP of the AP MLD associated with the at least one additional communication link.

[0537] 125. The method of clause 123, wherein the at least one additional communication link includes a secondary communication link associated with a second AP of the AP MLD and associated with a second STA of the STA MLD.

[0538] 126. The method of clause 123, wherein selectively modifying the identification includes:

[0539] Based on the indication in the second frame of acceptance of the request, adding the at least one additional communication link to the identification of the one or more communication links in the ML context.

[0540] 127. The method of clause 123, wherein selectively modifying the identification includes:

[0541] Based on the indication in the second frame of rejection of the request, suppressing the addition of the at least one additional communication link to the identification of the one or more communication links in the ML context.

[0542] 128. The method of clause 112, wherein the first frame includes a request to remove at least one communication link from the identification of the one or more communication links in the ML context.

[0543] 129. The method of clause 128, wherein the first frame includes an action frame that includes a link identifier that uniquely identifies the at least one communication link.

[0544] 130. The method of clause 129, wherein the action frame further includes one or more of the following: the media access control (MAC) address of the corresponding STA of the STA MLD associated with the at least one communication link, or the MAC address of the corresponding AP of the AP MLD associated with the at least one communication link.

[0545] 131. The method of clause 129, wherein the at least one communication link includes a secondary communication link associated with a second AP of the AP MLD and associated with a second STA of the STA MLD.

[0546] 132. The method of clause 129, wherein selectively modifying the identification includes:

[0547] Based on an indication in a second frame of acceptance of the request, removing the at least one communication link from the identification of the one or more communication links in the ML context.

[0548] 133. The method of clause 129, wherein selectively modifying the identification includes:

[0549] Based on an indication in a second frame of rejection of the request, suppressing the removal of the at least one communication link from the identification of the one or more communication links in the ML context.

[0550] 134. The method of clause 112, wherein the first frame includes a request to change at least one of the identified communication links to a new communication link.

[0551] 135. The method of clause 134, wherein the first frame includes an action frame that includes a link identifier that uniquely identifies the new communication link.

[0552] 136. The method of clause 135, wherein the action frame further includes one or more of the following: the media access control (MAC) address of the corresponding STA of the STA MLD associated with the new communication link, or the MAC address of the corresponding AP of the AP MLD associated with the new communication link.

[0553] 137. The method of clause 134, wherein the new communication link includes a secondary communication link associated with a second AP of the AP MLD and associated with a second STA of the STA MLD.

[0554] 138. The method of clause 134, wherein selectively modifying the identification includes:

[0555] Based on an indication in a second frame of acceptance of the request, changing at least one communication link identified in the ML context to a new communication link.

[0556] 139. The method of clause 134, wherein selectively modifying the identification includes:

[0557] Based on an indication in a second frame of rejection of the request, suppressing a change to the at least one communication link identified in the ML context.

[0558] As used herein, a phrase that recites "at least one of" or "one or more of" a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including a single member. For example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover the possibilities of: only a, only b, only c, a combination of a and b, a combination of a and c, a combination of b and c, and a combination of a, b, and c.

[0559] The various illustrative components, logics, logic blocks, modules, circuits, operations, and algorithmic processes described in connection with the implementations disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, firmware, software, or any combination of hardware, firmware, or software, including the structures disclosed in this specification and structural equivalents thereof. This interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software has been described generally in terms of its functionality and has been illustrated in the various illustrative components, boxes, modules, circuits, and processes described above. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware, firmware, or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0560] Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with this disclosure, the principles disclosed herein, and the novel features.

[0561] In addition, various features described in the context of separate implementations in this specification can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented separately or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple implementations. Thus, although the features may have been described above as acting in a particular combination and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from the claimed combination may in some cases be removed from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variant of a sub-combination.

[0562] Similarly, although the operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be construed as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all of the illustrated operations be performed to achieve the desired result. Additionally, the drawings may schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of a flowchart or a flow diagram. However, other operations not depicted may be incorporated into the example processes schematically illustrated. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or between any of the illustrated operations. In some environments, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Further, the separation of the various system components in the implementations described above should not be construed as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

Claims

1. A non-access point AP multi-link device MLD, comprising: A processing system, the processing system including one or more processors and one or more memories storing code, the processing system being configured to cause the non-AP MLD to: Associate with an AP MLD, the AP MLD including: A first access point AP, the first AP operating on a first communication link of the AP MLD, and One or more secondary APs, the one or more secondary APs operating on one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD; and Receive a frame from the first AP via the first communication link of the AP MLD, the frame including: A multi-link element, the multi-link element including a first change sequence field, the first change sequence field indicating the presence or absence of a first critical update to one or more first operating parameters of the first AP, and A reduced neighbor report element, the reduced neighbor report element including one or more secondary change sequence fields, each secondary change sequence field associated with a respective secondary AP of the one or more secondary APs and indicating the presence or absence of a respective critical update to one or more respective operating parameters of the respective secondary AP of the one or more secondary APs, the value of a first secondary change sequence field associated with a first secondary AP of the one or more secondary APs being incremented relative to a previous value of the first secondary change sequence field to indicate the presence of a second critical update to one or more second operating parameters of the first secondary AP of the one or more secondary APs.

2. The non-AP MLD according to claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the non-AP MLD to: Associate a first non-AP wireless station STA of the non-AP MLD with the first AP operating on the first communication link of the AP MLD; and Associate one or more second non-AP STAs of the non-AP MLD with the one or more secondary APs operating on the one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

3. The non-AP MLD according to claim 1, wherein the reduced neighbor report element includes one or more neighbor AP information fields, each neighbor AP information field associated with a respective secondary AP of the one or more secondary APs and each carrying the respective secondary change sequence field of the one or more secondary change sequence fields.

4. The non-AP MLD according to claim 3, wherein each neighbor AP information field of the one or more neighbor AP information fields includes a respective target beacon transmission time TBTT information field.

5. The non-AP MLD according to claim 1, wherein the frame further includes a critical update flag subfield, the critical update flag subfield indicating a change to one or more of the first change sequence field or the one or more secondary change sequence fields.

6. The non-AP MLD as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multi-link element further comprises one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each per-link profile sub-element among the one or more per-link profile sub-elements carries a corresponding partial set of operation parameters or a corresponding complete set of operation parameters for a corresponding secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs.

7. The non-AP MLD as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is one of a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

8. The non-AP MLD as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-AP MLD maintains a corresponding latest received change sequence field value for the first AP and for each secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs.

9. The non-AP MLD as claimed in claim 8, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the non-AP MLD to increment the latest received change sequence field value maintained at the non-AP MLD for the first secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs based on an indication by the value of the first secondary change sequence field that there is a second critical update to the one or more second operation parameters of the first secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs.

10. The non-AP MLD as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the first change sequence field indicates a latest critical update to the one or more first operation parameters of the first AP; and each secondary change sequence field among the one or more secondary change sequence fields indicates a corresponding latest critical update to the one or more corresponding operation parameters of the corresponding secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs.

11. The non-AP MLD as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the non-AP MLD to: transmit a probe request frame via the first communication link of the AP MLD, wherein the frame received from the first AP is a probe response frame according to the probe request frame, and the probe response frame includes a corresponding partial set of operation parameters or a corresponding complete set of operation parameters for each secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs.

12. The non-AP MLD as claimed in claim 11, wherein the probe request frame includes a latest received critical update regarding at least one secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs.

13. The non-AP MLD as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the non-AP MLD to: receive a beacon frame from the first secondary AP via a communication link associated with the first secondary AP based on the existence of the second critical update to the one or more second operation parameters of the first secondary AP.

14. The non-AP MLD as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the non-AP MLD to: transmit a probe request frame via a communication link associated with the first secondary AP based on the existence of the second critical update to the one or more second operation parameters of the first secondary AP; and Receive a probe response frame from the first secondary AP via the communication link associated with the first secondary AP according to the probe request frame.

15. An access point AP multi-link device MLD, comprising: A first AP that operates on a first communication link of the AP MLD; One or more secondary APs that operate on one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD; and A processing system comprising one or more processors and one or more memories storing code, the processing system being configured to cause the AP MLD to: Associate with a non-AP MLD; and Transmit a frame for the non-AP MLD via the first communication link of the AP MLD, the frame comprising: A multi-link element that includes a first change sequence field indicating the presence or absence of a first critical update to one or more first operating parameters of the first AP, and A reduced neighbor report element that includes one or more secondary change sequence fields, each secondary change sequence field associated with a respective secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs and indicating the presence or absence of a respective critical update to one or more respective operating parameters of the respective secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs, the value of the first secondary change sequence field associated with the first secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs is incremented relative to the previous value of the first secondary change sequence field to indicate the presence of a second critical update to one or more second operating parameters of the first secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs.

16. The AP MLD of claim 15, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the AP MLD to: Associate the first AP operating on the first communication link of the AP MLD with a first non-AP wireless station STA of the non-AP MLD; and Associate the one or more secondary APs operating on the one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD with one or more second non-AP STAs of the non-AP MLD.

17. The AP MLD of claim 15, wherein the reduced neighbor report element includes one or more neighbor AP information fields, each neighbor AP information field associated with a respective secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs and each carrying the respective secondary change sequence field among the one or more secondary change sequence fields.

18. The AP MLD of claim 17, wherein each neighbor AP information field among the one or more neighbor AP information fields includes a respective target beacon transmission time TBTT information field.

19. The AP MLD of claim 15, wherein the frame further includes a critical update flag subfield indicating a change to one or more of the first change sequence field or the one or more secondary change sequence fields.

20. The AP MLD as claimed in claim 15, wherein the multi-link element further comprises one or more per-link profile sub-elements, and each per-link profile sub-element among the one or more per-link profile sub-elements carries a corresponding partial set of operation parameters or a corresponding complete set of operation parameters for a corresponding one of the one or more secondary APs.

21. The AP MLD as claimed in claim 15, wherein the frame is one of a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

22. The AP MLD as claimed in claim 15, wherein: the first change sequence field indicates a latest critical update to the one or more first operation parameters of the first AP; and each secondary change sequence field among the one or more secondary change sequence fields indicates a corresponding latest critical update to the one or more corresponding operation parameters of the corresponding secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs.

23. The AP MLD as claimed in claim 15, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the AP MLD to: receive a probe request frame from a non-AP wireless station STA of the non-AP MLD, wherein the frame transmitted for the non-AP MLD is a probe response frame according to the probe request frame, and the probe response frame comprises a corresponding partial set of operation parameters or a corresponding complete set of operation parameters for each of the one or more secondary APs.

24. The AP MLD as claimed in claim 23, wherein the probe request frame comprises a latest received critical update regarding at least one of the one or more secondary APs.

25. The AP MLD as claimed in claim 15, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the AP MLD to: transmit a beacon frame via a communication link associated with the first secondary AP according to the existence of the second critical update to the one or more second operation parameters of the first secondary AP.

26. The AP MLD as claimed in claim 15, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the AP MLD to: receive a probe request frame via a communication link associated with the first secondary AP according to the existence of the second critical update to the one or more second operation parameters of the first secondary AP; and transmit a probe response frame via the communication link associated with the first secondary AP according to the probe request frame.

27. A method for performing wireless communication by a non-access point AP multi-link device MLD, comprising: associating with an AP MLD, the AP MLD comprising: a first AP that operates on a first communication link of the AP MLD; and one or more secondary APs that operate on one or more corresponding secondary communication links of the AP MLD; and receiving, via the first communication link of the AP MLD, a frame from the first AP, the frame comprising: A multi-link element, the multi-link element including a first change sequence field that indicates the presence or absence of a first critical update to one or more first operating parameters of the first AP, and A reduced neighbor report element, the reduced neighbor report element including one or more secondary change sequence fields, each secondary change sequence field being associated with a corresponding secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs and indicating the presence or absence of a corresponding critical update to one or more corresponding operating parameters of the corresponding secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs, the value of the first secondary change sequence field associated with the first secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs being incremented relative to the previous value of the first secondary change sequence field to indicate the presence of a second critical update to one or more second operating parameters of the first secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs.

28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising: Associating a first non-AP wireless station STA of the non-AP MLD with the first AP operating on the first communication link of the AP MLD; and Associating one or more second non-AP STAs of the non-AP MLD with the one or more secondary APs operating on the one or more corresponding secondary communication links of the AP MLD.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the reduced neighbor report element includes one or more neighbor AP information fields, each neighbor AP information field being associated with a corresponding secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs and each carrying the corresponding secondary change sequence field among the one or more secondary change sequence fields.

30. A method for performing wireless communication by an access point AP multi-link device MLD, the AP MLD including a first AP operating on a first communication link of the AP MLD and one or more secondary APs operating on one or more corresponding secondary communication links of the AP MLD, the method comprising: Associating with a non-AP MLD; and Transmitting, via the first communication link of the AP MLD, a frame for the non-AP MLD, the frame including: A multi-link element, the multi-link element including a first change sequence field that indicates the presence or absence of a first critical update to one or more first operating parameters of the first AP, and Compact neighbor report element, the compact neighbor report element including one or more secondary change sequence fields, each secondary change sequence field being associated with a corresponding secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs and indicating a second presence or absence of a corresponding critical update of one or more corresponding operating parameters of the corresponding secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs, a value of a first secondary change sequence field associated with a first secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs being incremented relative to a previous value of the first secondary change sequence field to indicate a second critical update of one or more second operating parameters of the first secondary AP among the one or more secondary APs.

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