Method, module, and storage medium for changing communication links for multi-link devices on a mobile wireless local area network

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a multi-link device (MLD) including an access point (AP) MLD and a non-AP MLD, and more particularly, to a module, system, and method for changing a first communication link between a first affiliated station (STA) of the non-AP MLD and a first affiliated AP of the AP MLD to a second communication link between a first affiliated STA of the non-AP MLD and a second affiliated AP of the non-AP MLD, while maintaining a third communication link between a second affiliated STA of the non-AP MLD and a third affiliated AP of the AP MLD. More particularly, the present disclosure provides a module, system, and method for changing the association of communication links independent of other communication links, enabling continued connectivity between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to multi-link devices on a wireless network, and more particularly to changing communication links for multi-link devices on a wireless network. [Background technology]

[0002] A Multilink Device (MLD) is a network element that communicates with peer MLDs over multiple communication links. An MLD that provides access point (AP) functionality is commonly referred to as an AP MLD. A non-AP MLD utilizes affiliated stations (STAs) to communicate over the wireless medium with an AP MLD that in turn utilizes affiliated APs.

[0003] An MLD can support multiple radios operating simultaneously, each operating within one or more frequency bands. An MLD can establish connections with other MLDs over the multiple radios, each connection being referred to as a communication link.

[0004] Wireless local area network (WLAN) standards such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 can be configured to utilize MLD in various modes of operation, including non-AP MLD and AP MLD operating in a multi-link operation (MLO) mode, in which devices communicate over multiple independent wireless connections or communication links, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Communication over a single communication link occurs between an associated STA of a non-AP MLD and an associated AP of an associated AP MLD.

[0005] Generally, when a non-AP MLD associates with an AP MLD, a set of communication links is negotiated, and each communication link maps an associated STA of the non-AP MLD to an associated AP of the AP MLD. While the non-AP MLD associates with the AP MLD, the mapping of the communication links between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD remains unchanged. If one of the communication links between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD needs to be changed, the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD are disassociated, resulting in the termination of all communication links and a temporary loss of network connectivity, after which a new communication link is established upon re-association. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a multi-link device (MLD) including an access point (AP) MLD and a non-AP MLD, and more particularly, to a module, system, and method for changing a first communication link between a first affiliated station (STA) of the non-AP MLD and a first affiliated AP of the AP MLD to a second communication link between a first affiliated STA of the non-AP MLD and a second affiliated AP of the non-AP MLD, while maintaining a third communication link between a second affiliated STA of the non-AP MLD and a third affiliated AP of the AP MLD. More particularly, the present disclosure provides a module, system, and method for changing a communication link independent of other communication links that allows a continued connection between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

[0007] In a broad aspect of the present disclosure, a method includes changing a first communication link between a first affiliated station of a first device and a first affiliated AP of a second device to a second communication link between the first affiliated station of the first device and a second affiliated AP of the second device, while maintaining a third communication link between a second affiliated station of the first device and a third affiliated AP of the second device.

[0008] In some embodiments, the method further includes activating one or more affiliated APs of the second device from an inactive state to an active state upon detecting the nearby first device.

[0009] In some embodiments, the method further includes the first device sending a communication link configuration request management frame to the second device to request that the first communication link be changed to the second communication link.

[0010] In some embodiments, the method further includes the second device transmitting a communication link configuration response management frame to the first device to approve changing the first communication link to the second communication link.

[0011] In some embodiments, the method further includes the second device sending a communication link configuration query management frame to the first device to propose changing the first communication link to the second communication link.

[0012] In some embodiments, the communication link configuration request management frame includes the following fields: category, communication link configuration action, dialog token, current communication link information, and new communication link information.

[0013] In some embodiments, the communication link configuration response management frame includes the following fields: category, communication link configuration action, dialog token, and new communication link information.

[0014] In some embodiments, the communication link configuration query management frame includes the following fields: category, communication link configuration action, dialog token, current communication link information, and new communication link information.

[0015] In some embodiments, the communication link configuration response management frame further includes a group key of the second affiliated AP for decrypting data of the second affiliated AP.

[0016] In some embodiments, the second device is an AP MLD and the first device is a non-AP MLD for a network utilizing the IEEE 802.11 protocol configured for multi-link operation.

[0017] In some embodiments, the IEEE 802.11 protocol is IEEE 802.11be.

[0018] In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more affiliated APs of the second device operates in a dedicated service mode.

[0019] In some embodiments, the dedicated service mode includes one of six gigahertz (6 GHz), emergency preparedness communication service (EPSC), and enhanced broadcast service (EBCS).

[0020] In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more affiliated APs of the second device is to operate in at least one service mode.

[0021] In some embodiments, the at least one service mode includes one or more of millimeter wave (mmWave), directional multi-gigabit (DMG), Chinese directional multi-gigabit (CDMG), and enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG).

[0022] In a broad aspect of the present disclosure, the module includes a second device including a plurality of affiliated APs, each affiliated AP for establishing a communication link with an affiliated station of the first device, and the second device is configured to independently modify each communication link between the affiliated AP and the affiliated station.

[0023] In some embodiments, the second device is configured to send a communication link configuration query management frame to the first device to propose modifying the communication link.

[0024] In some embodiments, the second device is configured to transmit a communication link configuration query management frame upon detecting an increase in packet errors, an environmental condition, or other event that supports modifying the communication link.

[0025] In some embodiments, the second device is configured to transmit a communication link configuration response management frame to the first device to acknowledge modifying the communication link.

[0026] In some embodiments, the communication link configuration response management frame includes the affiliated AP's group key for decrypting the affiliated AP's information.

[0027] In some embodiments, one or more of the affiliated APs are configured to activate upon detecting a first device in the vicinity.

[0028] In some embodiments, the second device is an AP MLD for a network utilizing the IEEE 802.11 protocol configured for multi-link operation.

[0029] In some embodiments, the IEEE 802.11 protocol is IEEE 802.11be.

[0030] In some embodiments, one or more of the multiple affiliated APs are configured to operate in a dedicated service mode.

[0031] In some embodiments, the dedicated service mode includes one of 6 GHz, EPSC, and EBCS.

[0032] In some embodiments, one or more of the multiple affiliated APs are configured to operate in at least one service mode.

[0033] In some embodiments, the at least one service mode includes one or more of mmWave, DMG, CDMG, and EDMG.

[0034] In a broad aspect of the present disclosure, the module includes a first device configured to provide a plurality of affiliated stations, each affiliated station for establishing a communication link with an affiliated AP of a second device, the first device configured to independently modify each communication link between the affiliated stations and the affiliated AP.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first device is configured to send a communication link configuration request management frame to the second device to request that the communication link be modified.

[0036] In some embodiments, the first device is configured to transmit a communication link configuration request management frame upon detecting an increase in packet errors, environmental conditions, or other events that support changing the communication link, or a newly available affiliated AP.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first device is a non-AP MLD for a network utilizing the IEEE 802.11 protocol configured for multi-link operation.

[0038] In some embodiments, the IEEE 802.11 protocol is IEEE 802.11be.

[0039] In a broad aspect of the present disclosure, one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media include computer-executable instructions for managing communication links for MLD, the instructions, when executed, causing a processing structure to perform actions including changing a first communication link between a first affiliated station of a first device and a first affiliated AP of a second device to a second communication link between the first affiliated station of the first device and a second affiliated AP of the second device, while maintaining a third communication link between a second affiliated station of the first device and a third affiliated AP of the second device.

[0040] In some embodiments, the one or more storage media are further for activating one or more affiliated APs of the second device from an inactive state to an active state upon detecting the first device in the vicinity.

[0041] In some embodiments, the one or more storage media are further for the first device to send a communication link configuration request management frame to the second device to request that the first communication link be changed to the second communication link.

[0042] In some embodiments, the one or more storage media are further for the second device to transmit a communications link configuration response management frame to the first device to acknowledge changing the first communications link to the second communications link.

[0043] In some embodiments, the one or more storage media are further for the second device to send a communication link configuration query management frame to the first device to propose changing the first communication link to the second communication link.

[0044] In some embodiments, the communication link configuration request management frame includes the following fields: category, communication link configuration action, dialog token, current communication link information, and new communication link information.

[0045] In some embodiments, the communication link configuration response management frame includes the following fields: category, communication link configuration action, dialog token, and new communication link information.

[0046] In some embodiments, the communication link configuration query management frame includes the following fields: category, communication link configuration action, dialog token, current communication link information, and new communication link information.

[0047] In some embodiments, the communication link configuration response management frame further includes a group key of the second affiliated AP for decrypting data of the second affiliated AP.

[0048] In some embodiments, the second device is an AP MLD and the first device is a non-AP MLD for a network utilizing the IEEE 802.11 protocol configured for multi-link operation.

[0049] In some embodiments, the IEEE 802.11 protocol is IEEE 802.11be.

[0050] In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more affiliated APs of the second device operates in a dedicated service mode.

[0051] In some embodiments, the dedicated service mode includes one of 6 GHz, EPSC, and EBCS.

[0052] In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more affiliated APs of the second device is to operate in at least one service mode.

[0053] In some embodiments, the at least one service mode includes one or more of mmWave, DMG, CDMG, and EDMG. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0054] For a more complete understanding of the disclosure, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.

[0055] [Figure 1] 1 is an overview of an embodiment of a pair of conventional multi-link devices (MLDs). [Figure 2] 1 is an overview of an embodiment of a pair of conventional MLDs. [Figure 3] 1 is an overview of an embodiment of an MLD pair including an access point (AP) MLD and an affiliated non-AP MLD. [Figure 4] 4 is an overview of the pair of MLDs of FIG. 3 in which the communication link between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD is changed; [Figure 5] 5 is an overview of the pair of MLDs of FIG. 4 in which the communication link between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD is changed. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for modifying a communication link between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram of an embodiment of a link configuration response management frame. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram of an embodiment of a link configuration query management frame. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a link configuration request management frame. [Figure 10] 10 is a representative overview of a communication flow between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD for modifying a communication link initiated by the non-AP MLD. [Figure 11]10 is a representative overview of a communication flow between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD for modifying a communication link initiated by the AP MLD. [Figure 12] 1 is an overview of an embodiment of an MLD pair including an AP MLD and an affiliated non-AP MLD, where the AP MLD includes two disabled affiliated APs. [Figure 13] 13 is a schematic diagram of an MLD pair in FIG. 12, where two disabled affiliated APs are enabled. [Figure 14] 14 is an overview of the MLD pair of FIG. 13, where the communication link between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD is changed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein generally have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. To facilitate understanding of the components of this disclosure, representative terms are defined below.

[0057] In embodiments disclosed herein, a network includes two or more devices interconnected via communication links (by cables, wireless connections, and / or other means) to share resources, information, etc. In embodiments disclosed herein, a multi-link device (MLD) is a device that connects to one or more devices via two or more communication links. In embodiments disclosed herein, a multi-link network is a network including one or more MLDs.

[0058] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a professional society for electrical and electronics engineering and is the body responsible for setting communications standards. The IEEE 802.11 standard is part of the IEEE 802 local area network technical standards that specify the media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) protocols for implementing wireless local area networks (WLANs). IEEE 802.11be is an amendment to the IEEE 802.11 standard that may include a multi-link operation (MLO) feature in which two MLDs communicate over one or more independent wireless connections or communication links.

[0059] In embodiments disclosed herein, an access point (AP) or wireless AP is a device that acts as a portal through which other devices connect to one or more other networks. In some embodiments, an AP provides interconnection between wireless devices and other wireless / wired networks containing devices therein. APs are commonly used to extend the wireless coverage of an existing network and to increase the number of users or devices that can connect to a WLAN.

[0060] In embodiments disclosed herein, a station (STA) is a device configured to connect to one or more APs. STAs may be fixed, mobile, or portable. STAs may also be referred to as wireless clients, nodes, and / or transmitters or receivers based on their transmission characteristics. IEEE 802.11-2020 specifies that a STA is any device that includes an IEEE 802.11-compliant MAC and PHY interface for connecting to a wireless medium.

[0061] In the embodiments disclosed herein, an MLD is a network element that communicates with peer MLDs over two or more communication links. An MLD that provides AP functionality is commonly referred to as an AP MLD. A non-AP MLD includes affiliated STAs that communicate with affiliated APs in the AP MLD over the wireless medium. An MLD can support multiple radios operating simultaneously in multiple bands. An MLD can establish connections over multiple radios, which are referred to as communication links.

[0062] As used herein, "affiliated" means a device, component, and / or element, etc. that is physically connected and / or integrated with or logically connected to another device, component, and / or element, etc. As used herein, an affiliated AP may be physically, logically, or otherwise connected to or utilized by an AP MLD, and an affiliated AP may be equivalent to an AP affiliated with an AP MLD. Similarly, as used herein, an affiliated STA may be physically, logically, or otherwise connected to or utilized by a non-AP MLD, and an affiliated STA may be equivalent to a STA affiliated with a non-AP MLD.

[0063] In embodiments disclosed herein, an AP MLD may also be referred to as a multilink AP, a multilink AP device, and / or an AP multilink device. A non-AP MLD associated with a non-AP STA may also be referred to as a multilink STA, a multilink STA device, or an STA multilink device.

[0064] In embodiments disclosed herein, the MLD supports multiple radios operating simultaneously in multiple bands. The MLD may establish connections over multiple radios, referred to as communication links. Communication over a single communication link may occur between a STA associated with a non-AP MLD and an AP associated with an AP MLD.

[0065] When a non-AP MLD associates with an AP MLD, a set of communication links is negotiated, each mapping an associated STA in the non-AP MLD to an associated AP in the AP MLD. Generally, the mapping of communication links between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD remains unchanged while the non-AP MLD associates with the AP MLD. Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional MLD pair 100 that may form part of a wireless network includes an AP MLD 102 and an associated non-AP MLD 120. The AP MLD 102 includes a first associated AP (AP-1) 104 and a second associated AP (AP-2) 106, and the non-AP MLD 120 includes a first associated STA (STA-1) 122 and a second associated STA (STA-2) 124. The first affiliated AP 104 and the first affiliated STA 122 are configured to operate at 2.4 GHz, while the second affiliated AP 106 and the second affiliated STA 124 are configured to operate at 5 GHz. The first affiliated AP 104 and the first affiliated STA 122 form a first communication link 130, and the second affiliated AP 106 and the second affiliated STA 124 form a second communication link 132. When the AP MLD 102 associates with the non-AP MLD 120, the first communication link 130 and the second communication link 132 are established.

[0066] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems, methods, and MLD modules, including circuitry and software for performing MLD-related processing. As explained in more detail below, a "module" is a descriptive term that refers to a hardware structure, such as a circuit, implemented using technologies such as electrical and / or optical technologies (and more particularly, semiconductors) to perform defined operations and processing. A "module" may alternatively refer to a combination of hardware and software structures, where the hardware structure may be implemented using technologies such as electrical and / or optical technologies (and more particularly, semiconductors) in a conventional manner to perform defined operations or processing in accordance with a software structure in the form of a set of instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage devices or media.

[0067] As described in more detail below, the MLD module may be part of a device, apparatus, and / or system, etc., and the MLD module may be coupled to or integrated with other parts of a device, apparatus, or system such that the combination forms the device, apparatus, or system. Alternatively, the MLD module may be implemented as a standalone encryption / decryption device or apparatus.

[0068] The MLD module executes processes, including those for establishing and modifying communication links. Herein, process has a general meaning equivalent to that of method and does not necessarily correspond to the concept of a computing process (which is an instance of a computer program being executed). More specifically, a process here is a defined method implemented using hardware components to process data (e.g., to send and / or receive management frames). A process may include or utilize one or more functions for processing data, as designed. Herein, a function is a defined sub-process or sub-method for computing, calculating, or otherwise processing input data in a defined manner, and generating or otherwise creating output data.

[0069] As those skilled in the art will recognize, the MLD processes disclosed herein may be implemented as one or more software and / or firmware programs having the necessary computer-executable code or instructions stored in one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage devices or media, which may be any volatile and / or non-volatile, non-removable or removable storage device, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, solid-state memory devices, hard disks, CDs, DVDs, and / or flash memory devices. The MLD module may read the computer-executable code from the storage device and execute the computer-executable code to perform the encryption and / or decryption processes.

[0070] Alternatively, the MLD processes disclosed herein may be implemented as one or more hardware structures having the necessary electrical and / or optical components, circuits, logic gates, and / or integrated circuit (IC) chips, etc.

[0071] 2 illustrates an embodiment of a conventional MLD pair 100 that may form part of a wireless network including an AP MLD 102 and an associated non-AP MLD 120. The AP MLD 102 includes three associated APs: a first associated AP (AP1) 104 configured to operate at 2.4 GHz, a second associated AP (AP2) 106 configured to operate at 5 GHz, and a third associated AP (AP3) 108 configured to operate at 5 GHz. The non-AP MLD 120 includes two associated STAs: a first associated STA (STA1) 122 configured to operate at 2.4 GHz and a second associated STA (STA2) 124 configured to operate at 5 GHz. As described above, when a non-AP MLD associates with an AP MLD, one or more communication links are negotiated and established between the AP's associated AP and the non-AP MLD's associated STAs. Referring to FIG. 2, a first communication link 130 is established between a first affiliated AP 104 and a first affiliated STA 122, and a second communication link 132 is established between a second affiliated AP 106 and a second affiliated STA 124, while a third affiliated AP 108 is unconnected and available.

[0072] In some embodiments, the AP MLD, non-AP MLD, and / or other devices may monitor network conditions to determine whether modifying the communication link would provide improved quality. For example, this may be the result of monitoring environmental factors such as data traffic flow, packet errors, and / or available APs and STAs. Changes in conditions may also be the result of physical migration of devices, including non-AP MLDs, environmental changes, or other events.

[0073] In some embodiments, during operation of the MLD pair 100, it is determined that a third affiliated AP 108 provides a better quality communication link with a second affiliated STA 124 than the second affiliated AP 106. To change the communication link between the AP MLD 102 and the affiliated non-AP MLD 120, disassociation between the AP MLD 102 and the non-AP MLD 120 is first required. Following disassociation, reassociation between the AP MLD 102 and the non-AP MLD 120 can occur over a new or remapped communication link. Disassociation and reassociation, or renegotiation, between the AP MLD 102 and the non-AP MLD 120 results in a temporary loss of network connectivity over both the first communication link 130 and the second communication link 132.

[0074] 2 , to change the second communication link 132 for the second associated STA 124 from the second associated AP 106 to the third associated AP 108, the AP MLD 102 and the non-AP MLD 120 first attempt to disassociate. As previously explained, this means that network connectivity is temporarily suspended and the security association between the AP MLD 102 and the non-AP MLD 120 is lost. When the non-AP MLD 120 successfully completes reassociation for the AP MLD 102, the first communication link 130 remains between the first associated AP 104 and the first associated STA 122, and the second communication link 132 is remapped from between the second associated AP 106 and the second associated STA 124 to between the third associated AP 108 and the second associated STA 124.

[0075] In some embodiments disclosed herein, affiliated APs utilize different group security keys to cryptographically encapsulate group-addressed traffic. When the non-AP MLD 120 changes its link mapping with the AP MLD 102, the non-AP MLD 120 needs to receive an updated group key based on the new communication link mapping. As a result of the above-described remapping, a new security association is established between the AP MLD 102 and the non-AP MLD 120.

[0076] 3 , in an embodiment of the present disclosure, an MLD pair 200 that may form part of a wireless network includes an AP MLD 202 and a non-AP MLD 220. The AP MLD includes a first affiliated AP (AP1) 204 configured to operate at 2.4 GHz, a second affiliated AP (AP2) 206 configured to operate at 5 GHz, a third affiliated AP (AP3) 208 configured to operate at 2.4 GHz, and a fourth affiliated AP (AP4) 210 configured to operate at 5 GHz. The non-AP MLD 220 includes a first affiliated STA (STA1) 222 and a second affiliated STA (STA2) 224. In an embodiment disclosed herein, the MLD pair 200 is connected to a local area network (LAN) 240, which may be connected to one or more other devices, including a wired gateway 250.

[0077] Although FIG. 3 illustrates one AP MLD 202, a wireless network may include any number of additional AP MLDs and additional non-AP MLDs, each AP MLD including one or more affiliated APs, each AP configured to operate at one or more operating frequencies, and each non-AP MLD including one or more affiliated STAs, each affiliated STA configured to operate at one or more operating frequencies.

[0078] In embodiments disclosed herein, the non-AP MLD 220 can change the communication link mapping between a first associated STA 222 or a second associated STA 224 and the AP MLD 202's associated AP using a message exchange that occurs without losing the corresponding network connection and while the non-AP MLD maintains its association, and the message exchange occurs over the unchanged communication link.

[0079] By updating the communication link mappings of associated STAs, the non-AP MLD 220 can optimize the utilization of the AP MLD 202's radio resources. In embodiments disclosed herein, the group key associated with the new communication link mapping can also be updated using message exchanges. Furthermore, the AP MLD 202 can also manage its radio resources more efficiently by suggesting to one or more cooperating non-AP MLDs to dynamically change their communication links to optimize performance using message exchanges.

[0080] 3 , in an embodiment disclosed herein, the AP MLD 202 includes two affiliated APs, a first affiliated AP 204 and a third affiliated AP 208, operating at 2.4 GHz, and two affiliated APs, a second affiliated AP 206 and a fourth affiliated AP 210, operating at 5 GHz. In one embodiment, a first affiliated STA 222 of the non-AP MLD 220 is configured to operate at 2.4 GHz, and a second affiliated STA 224 of the non-AP MLD 220 is configured to operate at 5 GHz. Referring to FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the AP MLD 202 and the non-AP MLD 220 are affiliated, and a first communication link 230 is established between the first affiliated AP 204 and the first affiliated STA 222, and a second communication link 232 is established between the second affiliated AP 206 and the second affiliated STA 224.

[0081] In the embodiments disclosed herein, the AP MLDs of multiple AP MLDs are distributed throughout a coverage area with the AP MLD including multiple affiliated APs. This may be an example of an AP MLD forming part of a WLAN within an enterprise or large home. In the embodiments disclosed herein, a non-AP MLD (with fewer affiliated STAs than the number of affiliated APs in the AP MLD) associates with the AP MLD. The MLD pair 200 of FIG. 3 includes four available affiliated APs in the AP MLD 202.

[0082] As the non-AP MLD 220 moves within the coverage zone of the AP MLD 202 or as the radio environment changes, the non-AP MLD 220 may change its communication link configuration to utilize other affiliated APs of the same AP MLD 220 while maintaining its association with the AP MLD 202 in order to optimize its communication link quality.

[0083] 3, after association between the AP MLD 202 and the non-AP MLD 220, a first communication link 230 is established between the first affiliated AP 204 and the first affiliated STA 222, and a second communication link 232 is established between the second affiliated AP 206 and the second affiliated STA 224. It should be noted that the third affiliated AP 208 and the fourth affiliated AP 210 are not mapped to the affiliated STAs of the non-AP MLD 220.

[0084] As a result of physical movement, environmental changes, or other events, the non-AP MLD 220 initiates a change in the second communication link 232. Referring to FIG. 4 , the second associated STA 224 associates with the fourth associated AP 210 to establish the third communication link 234. In particular, the first communication link 230 between the first associated AP 204 and the first associated STA 222 is maintained during the transition from the second communication link 232 to the third communication link 234, such that communication between the AP MLD 202 and the non-AP MLD 220, including for message exchanges, is maintained. After the transition from the second communication link 232 to the third communication link 234, the second associated AP 206 is no longer mapped to the associated STA of the AP MLD 202.

[0085] As a result of further physical movement, environmental changes, or other events, the non-AP MLD 220 initiates a change in the first communication link 230. Referring to FIG. 5 , the first associated STA 222 associates with the third associated AP 208 to establish a fourth communication link 234. In particular, the third communication link 234 between the fourth associated AP 210 and the second affiliated AP 224 is maintained during the transition from the first communication link 230 to the fourth communication link 236, so that communication between the AP MLD 202 and the non-AP MLD 220 is maintained, including for message exchanges. After the transition from the first communication link 230 to the fourth communication link 236, the first affiliated AP 204 is no longer mapped to the associated STA of the AP MLD 202.

[0086] The methods disclosed herein may be applied to Directional Multi-Gigabit (DMG), China Directional Multi-Gigabit (CDMG), and Enhanced Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) communication links, where coverage areas are often limited and affiliated APs supporting the applicable frequency bands utilize highly directional antennas.

[0087] 6 shows steps of an embodiment of a method 600 for changing a communication link between an AP MLD 202 and a non-AP MLD 220. The method 600 begins in step 602 by changing a first communication link between a first affiliated station of a first device and a first affiliated AP of a second device to a second communication link between a first affiliated station of the first device and a second affiliated AP of the second device, while maintaining a third communication link between a second affiliated station of the first device and a third affiliated AP of the second device. In step 604, optionally, upon detecting a nearby first device, one or more affiliated APs of the second device are activated from an inactive state to an active state. In step 606, optionally, the first device transmits a communication link configuration request management frame to the second device to request that the first communication link be changed to a second communication link. In step 608, optionally, the second device transmits a communication link configuration response management frame to the first device to approve changing the first communication link to the second communication link. In step 610, optionally, the second device transmits a communication link configuration query management frame to the first device to propose changing the first communication link to the second communication link.

[0088] When a non-AP MLD cooperates with an AP MLD, the cooperation results in a mapping of the associated AP to the associated STA communication link. A link ID is assigned by the AP MLD and maps the AP MAC address to the STA MAC address.

[0089] The IEEE 802.11 standard generally utilizes three types of frames: management, control, and data. Management frames are generally utilized to manage the basic service set; control frames control access to the medium; and data frames contain a payload of information. Managing the basic service set includes probing, associating, roaming, and disassociating clients from the basic service set. In embodiments disclosed herein, message exchanges related to modifying the communication link between the AP MLD 202 and the non-AP MLD 220 are in the form of management frames.

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the above-described remapping of communication links requires an update of the communication link mapping. In the embodiment disclosed herein, this is accomplished using three management frames: a link configuration request management frame, a link configuration response management frame, and a link configuration query management frame. A link configuration request management frame is transmitted by a non-AP MLD to an AP MLD to request a configuration change for one or more of its communication links. A link configuration response management frame is transmitted by an AP MLD to respond to a link configuration request management frame received from the non-AP MLD to change its communication link configuration. A link configuration query management frame is transmitted by an AP MLD to suggest that the non-AP MLD change its communication link configuration to a recommended new communication link mapping. A non-AP MLD that receives a link configuration query management frame can transmit a link configuration request management frame to change the communication link configuration based on the recommendation.

[0091] FIG. 7 shows a representative frame format of a link configuration request management frame 700, which includes the following fields: category 702, link configuration action 704, dialogue token 706, current link information 708, and new link information 710. The category field 702 is set to a link configuration value in Table 9-79 of IEEE 802.11-2020. The link configuration action field 704 is set to 0 for the link configuration request frame 700. The dialogue token field 706 can be set to any integer between 0 and 255. The current link information field 708 contains a basic variant of the IEEE 802.11be D1.5 multilink element that conveys the current mapping for each communication link. The new link information field 710 contains a basic variant of the multilink element that conveys the requested mapping for each communication link.

[0092] FIG. 8 shows a representative link configuration response management frame 800 containing the following fields: category 802, link configuration action 804, dialogue token 806, status 808, new link information 810, and key delivery 812. The category field 802 is set to a link configuration value in Table 9-79 of IEEE 802.11-2020. The link configuration action field 804 is set to 1. The dialogue token field 806 can be set to any integer between 0 and 255. The status field 808 indicates the result of the request, which can be success, rejection, or a new mapping proposal. The new link information field 810 is conditionally provided when the result of the request is a new mapping proposal and contains a primitive of the multilink element conveying the proposed alternative mapping. Note that the proposed alternative may require a non-AP MLD to transmit the new link configuration request frame.

[0093] The AP MLD may optionally include updates to cryptographic material such as the Group Temporal Key (GTK), Integrity Group Temporal Key (IGTK), and Beacon Integrity Group Temporal Key (BIGTK) keys associated with that communication link. These keys may be included in the KeyDelivery field 812 within the Key Delivery Element (KDE) defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard in clause 9.4.2.185.

[0094] FIG. 9 shows a representative link configuration query frame 900 containing the following fields: category 902, link configuration action 904, dialogue token 906, current link information 908, and new link information 910. The category field 902 is set to a link configuration value in Table 9-79 of IEEE 802.11-2020. The link configuration action field 904 is set to 2 for a query frame. The dialogue token field 906 can be set to any integer between 0 and 255. The current link information field 908 contains primitives of multilink elements that convey the current mapping for each communication link. The new link information field 910 contains primitives of multilink elements that convey the requested mapping for each communication link. Note that the proposed alternative may require the non-AP MLD to issue a new link configuration request frame to request changes to its link mappings.

[0095] 10 shows an exemplary method 1000 for reconfiguring a communication link between a non-AP MLD 220 and an AP MLD 202 using management frames, where the change in communication link is initiated by the non-AP MLD 220. Method 1000 begins in step 1008 with the non-AP MLD 220 recognizing a change in communication link. In step 1010, a link configuration request management frame is transmitted from the non-AP MLD 220 to the AP MLD 202. In step 1012, the AP MLD provides status and conveys group key information for the new communication link. In step 1014, a link configuration response management frame is transmitted from the AP MLD 202 to the non-AP MLD 220. In step 1016, the non-AP MLD 220 updates the communication link.

[0096] 10, the AP MLD 202 may initiate a communication link reconfiguration by sending a link configuration request management frame to the non-AP MLD 220, which then sends a link configuration response management frame. The group key update may be included in the link configuration request management frame from the AP MLD 202 or may be included in another message.

[0097] 11 shows an exemplary method 1100 for reconfiguring a communication link between a non-AP MLD 220 and an AP MLD 202 using management frames, where the communication link change is initiated by the AP MLD 202. The method 1100 begins in step 1102 with the AP MLD 202 recognizing a communication link change. In step 1104, a link configuration query management frame is transmitted from the AP MLD 202 to the non-AP MLD 220. In step 1106, the non-AP MLD 220 acknowledges the communication link change. In step 1108, a link configuration request management frame is transmitted from the non-AP MLD 220 to the AP MLD 202. In step 1110, the AP MLD provides status and conveys group key information for the new communication link. In step 1112, a link configuration response management frame is transmitted from the AP MLD 202 to the non-AP MLD 220. In step 1114, the non-AP MLD 220 updates the communication link.

[0098] In embodiments disclosed herein, affiliated APs cryptographically encapsulate group-addressed traffic using different group keys. In embodiments disclosed herein, when a non-AP MLD changes its communication link mapping with an AP MLD, the non-AP MLD needs to receive an updated group key (with the rest of the security association between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD remaining unchanged) in order to successfully receive group-addressed traffic on that communication link.

[0099] In an embodiment, the KDE is included in the link configuration response management frame 800 to update cryptographic material (e.g., group keys) without requiring additional protocol exchanges (e.g., group key handshakes) for the cryptographic material associated with each new communication link.

[0100] In embodiments disclosed herein, two or more affiliated APs of an AP MLD may also be co-located, physically co-located, or distributed with similar coverage. The affiliated APs of an AP MLD may be dynamically disabled / enabled depending on operating conditions. For example, some affiliated APs may be configured with a dedicated service mode (e.g., 6 GHz, Emergency Preparedness Communication Service (EPSC), or Enhanced Broadcast Service (EBCS) only). In another example, millimeter wave (mmWave) APs (e.g., DMG, EDMG, CDMG) may be dynamically enabled when a non-AP MLD is in their vicinity.

[0101] In the embodiments disclosed herein, non-AP MLD utilizes affiliated STAs to establish multiple communication links with distributed affiliated APs, and the communication links can be remapped depending on service requirements.

[0102] In a representative embodiment, the non-AP MLD 220 may change a communication link from the 5 GHz UNII 1 band to the 5 GHz UNII 3 band, as shown in Figures 12-14. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the MLD pair 200 includes an AP MLD 202 and a non-AP MLD 220. The AP MLD includes a first affiliated AP (AP1) 204 configured to operate at 2.4 GHz, a second affiliated AP (AP2) 206 configured to operate at the 5 GHz UNII 1 band, a third affiliated AP (AP3) 208 configured to operate at the 5 GHz UNII 3 band, and a fourth affiliated AP (AP4) 210 configured to operate at 6 GHz. The non-AP MLD 220 includes a first affiliated STA (STA1) 222 and a second affiliated STA (STA2) 224. In the embodiment disclosed herein, the MLD pair 200 is connected to a local area network (LAN) 240 which may be connected to one or more other devices, including a wired gateway 250 .

[0103] In FIG. 12, a first communication link 230 is established between a first affiliated AP 204 and a first affiliated STA 222, and a second communication link 232 is established between a second affiliated AP 206 and a second affiliated STA 224, while a third affiliated AP 208 and a fourth affiliated AP 210 are disabled.

[0104] 13 , the AP MLD 202 enables a third affiliated AP 208 and a fourth affiliated AP 210, and the non-AP MLD 220 determines that the third affiliated AP 208 provides better service than the second affiliated AP 206. As a result, the non-AP MLD 220 transmits a link configuration request management frame 700 to the AP MLD 202 requesting a change in its communication link mapping. Here, the AP MLD includes affiliated APs that support mmWave technology (e.g., DMG, EDMG, or CDMG), the non-AP MLD supports this technology, and the non-AP MLD can initiate the method disclosed above to update its configuration and establish connections through the mmWave-capable affiliated APs.

[0105] 14 , the second affiliated STA 224 associates with the third affiliated AP 208 to establish a third communication link 236. In particular, the first communication link 230 between the first affiliated AP 204 and the first affiliated STA 222 is maintained upon transition from the second communication link 232 to the third communication link 236, such that communication between the AP MLD 202 and the non-AP MLD 220 is maintained. After transition from the second communication link 232 to the third communication link 236, the second affiliated AP 206 is no longer mapped to the affiliated STA of the AP MLD 202. Note that in this embodiment, the AP MLD 202 allocates new resources by enabling the third affiliated AP 208 and the fourth affiliated AP 210.

[0106] Although embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying figures, those skilled in the art will recognize that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope thereof, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. changing a first communication link between a first associated station of the first device and a first associated access point (AP) of the second device to a second communication link between the first associated station of the first device and a second associated AP of the second device, while maintaining a third communication link between the second associated station of the first device and a third associated AP of the second device; A method comprising:

2. and upon detecting a nearby first device, activating one or more affiliated APs of the second device from an inactive state to an active state. The method of claim 1.

3. the first device further comprising transmitting a communication link configuration request management frame to the second device to request that the first communication link be changed to the second communication link; 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the second device transmitting a communication link configuration response management frame to the first device to acknowledge changing the first communication link to the second communication link; The method of claim 3.

5. the second device transmitting a communication link configuration query management frame to the first device to propose changing the first communication link to the second communication link; The method of claim 3.

6. The communication link configuration request management frame includes the following fields: category, communication link configuration action, dialog token, current communication link information, and new communication link information. The method of claim 3.

7. The communication link configuration response management frame includes the following fields: category, communication link configuration action, dialog token, and new communication link information. The method of claim 4.

8. The communication link configuration query management frame includes the following fields: category, communication link configuration action, dialog token, current communication link information, and new communication link information. The method of claim 5.

9. the communication link configuration response management frame further includes a group key of the second affiliated AP for decrypting data of the second affiliated AP; The method of claim 7.

10. the second device is an AP multi-link device (MLD) and the first device is a non-AP MLD for a network utilizing the IEEE 802.11 protocol configured for multi-link operation; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The IEEE 802.11 protocol is IEEE 802.11be; The method of claim 10.

12. At least one of the one or more affiliated APs of the second device operates in a dedicated service mode. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. the dedicated service mode includes one of six gigahertz (6 GHz), emergency preparedness communication service (EPSC), and enhanced broadcast service (EBCS); The method of claim 12.

14. at least one of the one or more affiliated APs of the second device is to operate in at least one service mode; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. the at least one service mode includes one or more of millimeter wave (mmWave), directional multi-gigabit (DMG), China directional multi-gigabit (CDMG), and enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG); 15. The method of claim 14.

16. and a second device including a plurality of affiliated APs, each affiliated AP for establishing a communication link with an affiliated station of the first device, the second device being configured to independently modify each communication link between an affiliated AP and an affiliated station, the module.

17. the second device is configured to send a communication link configuration query management frame to the first device to propose changing the communication link; 17. The module of claim 16.

18. the second device is configured to transmit the communication link configuration query management frame upon detecting an increase in packet errors, an environmental condition, or other event that supports modifying the communication link.

18. The module of claim 17.

19. the second device is configured to transmit a communication link configuration response management frame to the first device to acknowledge modifying the communication link; 17. The module of claim 16.

20. The communication link configuration response management frame includes a group key of the associated AP for decrypting the information of the associated AP.

20. The module of claim 19.

21. one or more of the affiliated APs are configured to activate upon detecting a first device in the vicinity; A module according to any one of claims 16 to 20.

22. the second device is an AP MLD for a network utilizing the IEEE 802.11 protocol configured for multi-link operation; A module according to any one of claims 16 to 21.

23. The IEEE 802.11 protocol is IEEE 802.11be; 23. The module of claim 22.

24. one or more of the plurality of affiliated APs are configured to operate in a dedicated service mode; A module according to any one of claims 16 to 23.

25. the dedicated service mode includes one of 6 GHz, EPSC, and EBCS; 25. The module of claim 24.

26. one or more of the plurality of affiliated APs are configured to operate in at least one service mode; A module according to any one of claims 16 to 25.

27. the at least one service mode includes one or more of mmWave, DMG, CDMG, and EDMG; 27. The module of claim 26.

28. a first device configured to provide a plurality of affiliated stations, each affiliated station for establishing a communication link with an affiliated AP of a second device, the first device configured to independently modify each communication link between the affiliated stations and the affiliated AP;

29. the first device is configured to transmit a communication link configuration request management frame to a second device to request a change to the communication link; 30. The module of claim 28.

30. The first device is configured to transmit the communication link configuration request management frame upon detecting an increase in packet errors, an environmental condition, or other event that supports changing the communication link, or a newly available affiliated AP.

30. The module of claim 29.

31. the first device is a non-AP MLD for a network utilizing the IEEE 802.11 protocol configured for multi-link operation; A module according to any one of claims 28 to 30.

32. The IEEE 802.11 protocol is IEEE 802.11be; 32. The module of claim 31.

33. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media containing computer-executable instructions for managing communication links for an MLD, the instructions, when executed, causing a processing structure to: changing a first communication link between a first affiliated station of a first device and a first affiliated AP of a second device to a second communication link between the first affiliated station of the first device and a second affiliated AP of the second device, while maintaining a third communication link between a second affiliated station of the first device and a third affiliated AP of the second device; One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media that cause actions to be performed, including:

34. and upon detecting a nearby first device, activating one or more affiliated APs of the second device from an inactive state to an active state.

34. One or more storage media according to claim 33.

35. and further for the first device to transmit a communication link configuration request management frame to the second device to request that the first communication link be changed to the second communication link. One or more storage media according to claim 33 or 34.

36. and the second device transmits a communication link configuration response management frame to the first device to acknowledge changing the first communication link to the second communication link.

36. One or more storage media according to claim 35.

37. and the second device is configured to transmit a communication link configuration query management frame to the first device to propose changing the first communication link to the second communication link.

36. One or more storage media according to claim 35.

38. The communication link configuration request management frame includes the following fields: category, communication link configuration action, dialog token, current communication link information, and new communication link information.

36. One or more storage media according to claim 35.

39. The communication link configuration response management frame includes the following fields: category, communication link configuration action, dialog token, and new communication link information. One or more storage media according to claim 0.

40. The communication link configuration query management frame includes the following fields: category, communication link configuration action, dialog token, current communication link information, and new communication link information.

38. One or more storage media according to claim 37.

41. the communication link configuration response management frame further includes a group key of the second affiliated AP for decrypting data of the second affiliated AP; 40. One or more storage media according to claim 39.

42. the second device is an AP MLD and the first device is a non-AP MLD for a network utilizing the IEEE 802.11 protocol configured for multi-link operation; One or more storage media according to any one of claims 33 to 41.

43. The IEEE 802.11 protocol is IEEE 802.11be; 43. One or more storage media according to claim 42.

44. At least one of the one or more affiliated APs of the second device operates in a dedicated service mode. One or more storage media according to any one of claims 33 to 43.

45. the dedicated service mode includes one of 6 GHz, EPSC, and EBCS; 45. One or more storage media according to claim 44.

46. at least one of the one or more affiliated APs of the second device is to operate in at least one service mode; One or more storage media according to any one of claims 33 to 45.

47. the at least one service mode includes one or more of mmWave, DMG, CDMG, and EDMG; 47. One or more storage media according to claim 46.

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