Access Point Link Disablement via Broadcast Advertisement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack an efficient method for an Access Point (AP) to disable and re-enable links with non-AP wireless communication stations, particularly for power management and network optimization, which affects communication efficiency and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a link disable/re-enable mechanism that allows an AP to advertise link status changes through broadcast frames, using Channel Switch Announcement (CSA) elements and Max Channel Switch Time fields, enabling or disabling links based on conditions such as TID-to-link mapping and presence of legacy devices, to manage link availability and power states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an AP continuously maintains all wireless links active, then communication availability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic link management where the AP can transition links between active and disabled states based on current traffic conditions and power requirements. The link disable/re-enable mechanism allows the system to adapt link states dynamically, disabling links when not needed to save power and re-enabling them when communication availability becomes critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational state parameter of wireless links from a static 'always on' condition to a dynamic state that can be switched between enabled and disabled. By controlling the link state parameter, the system optimizes the trade-off between communication availability and power consumption, enabling links only when necessary for maintaining service quality.
2Use of energy by moving object
If an AP disables links for power saving, then power consumption is reduced, but communication efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by proactively disabling links before power consumption becomes excessive, and re-enabling them before communication efficiency is critically impacted. The AP monitors link utilization and power state, performing disable/re-enable operations in advance to optimize both power savings and communication performance without causing service degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The implementation includes feedback mechanisms where the AP continuously monitors link traffic patterns, power consumption levels, and communication quality metrics. Based on this feedback, the system intelligently decides when to disable or re-enable links, ensuring that power saving actions do not negatively impact communication efficiency beyond acceptable thresholds.
3Productivity
If an AP implements selective link disablement, then network optimization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the wireless communication system into independent link units, each capable of being disabled or enabled individually. This segmentation allows the AP to optimize network performance by selectively managing specific links without affecting others, achieving network optimization through granular control while keeping the overall system manageable through modular link-level operations.
Data Source
AI summary
For example, an Access Point (AP) Multi-Link Device (MLD) and/or a non-AP MLD may be configured to utilize a mechanism configured to support link disablement of an AP. For example, the AP MLD may be configured to transmit from an AP of the AP MLD a broadcast frame including a link disable advertisement, the link disable advertisement to advertise a link disablement of the AP for all non-AP MLDs associated with the AP, the link disablement of the AP to indicate that the AP is to be unavailable for communication with all the non-AP MLDs associated with the AP; and disable communication of beacon frames and response frames from the AP based on the link disable advertisement.