Access Point Link Guidance for Multi-Link Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-link devices face challenges in selecting optimal radio links due to a lack of information about the network state of available access points, which hinders performance improvement by adding additional radio links.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where access points share key performance indicators and resource information to form a list of available radio links, allowing non-AP multi-link devices to select additional links based on their requirements, enhancing performance by providing guidance on link selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If non-AP MLD selects additional radio links without network state information, then device complexity is reduced, but link selection performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The access point acts as an intermediary that collects network state information from multiple radio links and processes it into guidance information. Instead of the non-AP MLD directly gathering and analyzing network state data from multiple APs (which would increase device complexity), the access point mediates this process by obtaining performance indicators and resource information, then providing processed guidance to the non-AP MLD for link selection.
2Measurement precision
If access points share performance indicators and resource information, then link selection accuracy is improved, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point extracts only the essential and relevant information needed for link selection guidance from the complete network state. Instead of sharing all raw network data, the system extracts key performance indicators (such as throughput, latency, signal quality) and resource information specific to each radio link, then provides this curated subset to the non-AP MLD. This extraction process improves link selection accuracy while controlling the amount of information processed.
3Device complexity
If non-AP MLD has single interface to upper layers, then device complexity is reduced, but network state awareness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The access point serves as an information intermediary that bridges the gap between the multi-radio reality and the single-interface constraint. Multiple radio links maintain their own state information, but the access point consolidates this information and presents it through a single guidance interface to the non-AP MLD's upper layers. This allows the device to maintain interface simplicity while still accessing comprehensive network state information through the access point's mediation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a system and a method for selecting an additional radio link from a second access point after a connection with a first access point has been established. The first and second access points cooperate with each other by sharing information about performance and available resources. They communicate this information to a multi-link non-AP MLD device requesting the additional radio link so that the non-AP MLD can make a selection that matches the needs of its request. Information about performance includes throughput, a delay between access points, and a delay between access points and a gateway connected to the access points.