Multi-Link RF Operation Using an Anchor Link for High-Frequency Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in effectively utilizing higher frequency radio frequency links such as 3.5 GHz, 45 GHz, and 60 GHz due to access constraints and propagation losses, which limits throughput and adoption of these bands.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-link operation framework where a first radio frequency link, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz, is used as an anchor to facilitate communication over higher frequency links like 3.5 GHz, 45 GHz, or 60 GHz by exchanging identifying and control information via the anchor link, allowing conditional setup and management of the higher frequency links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If higher frequency radio frequency links (3.5 GHz, 45 GHz, 60 GHz) are utilized for wireless communication, then system capacity and throughput are improved, but propagation losses increase and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses lower frequency links (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz) as intermediary anchor links to facilitate the establishment and management of higher frequency links. The anchor link serves as a reliable control channel that mediates the setup, configuration, and maintenance of the higher frequency data-bearing links, thereby improving reliability while enabling high throughput.
2Productivity
If higher frequency radio frequency links (3.5 GHz, 45 GHz, 60 GHz) are utilized for wireless communication, then system capacity is improved, but access constraints increase and ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor link acts as an intermediary that simplifies access to higher frequency links by handling complex setup procedures, beamforming training, and link management tasks. This mediator approach reduces the operational complexity for users while maximizing system capacity utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing the anchor link first, which then facilitates subsequent access to higher frequency links. The anchor link is configured in advance to prepare the communication path, exchange capability information, and set up the necessary parameters before high-capacity data transmission begins on the higher frequency links.
3Productivity
If multiple radio frequency links are established for multi-link operation, then system capacity and spectral efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions for multiple radio frequency links into a unified multi-link device (MLD) architecture. The MLD combines multiple radios and processing capabilities into integrated devices, managing multiple links through a coordinated framework that reduces operational complexity despite handling multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor link serves multiple functions: it provides reliable control signaling, exchanges capability information, establishes higher frequency links, and maintains multi-link operations. This multi-functional approach consolidates various operations into a single versatile mechanism, reducing overall system complexity while maximizing capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for high frequency multi-link support systems operation. In some aspects, an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) and a non-AP MLD may use a first radio frequency link to support and facilitate communications using a second radio frequency link, where such a second radio frequency link may otherwise be associated with access constraints or difficulties. For example, the first radio frequency link may be a sub-7 gigahertz (GHz) link and the second radio frequency link may be a 3.5 GHZ, 45 GHz, or 60 GHz link. The AP MLD may transmit, to the non-AP MLD via the first radio frequency link, identifying and control information associated with the second radio frequency link. The non-AP MLD and the AP MLD may use the identifying and control information to communicate data via the second radio frequency link.