AP MLD Buffer Forwarding During Non-AP MLD Roaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Packet loss occurs during the roaming process of non-AP MLDs due to link quality degradation, affecting communication reliability.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method where the current AP MLD transfers all data in its send buffer to the non-AP MLD or target AP MLD before roaming, and manages block acknowledgement sessions and key management to ensure seamless handover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the non-AP MLD roams to a target AP MLD when link quality decreases, then communication quality requirement is met, but packet loss occurs during the roaming process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpacket loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The current AP MLD performs preliminary actions by determining whether to send buffered data to the non-AP MLD or target AP MLD before the roaming handover is complete. This advance preparation ensures that data is transmitted during the roaming process, preventing packet loss that would otherwise occur due to the interruption of service during handover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The target AP MLD acts as an intermediary to receive and forward data from the current AP MLD to the non-AP MLD during the roaming process. This intermediary mechanism allows data to be seamlessly transferred across the handover boundary, ensuring continuity of communication and preventing packet loss during the transition between access points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the current AP MLD sends all data in the send buffer to the non-AP MLD or target AP MLD, then packet loss is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidroaming management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic decision-making where the current AP MLD determines based on real-time conditions whether to send buffered data to the non-AP MLD or target AP MLD. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different roaming scenarios and data states, managing complexity through flexible, condition-based logic rather than rigid predetermined procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of data transmission destination from a fixed target to a variable that depends on the determination result. By making the destination parameter (non-AP MLD or target AP MLD) changeable based on system state, the solution manages complexity through parameter flexibility while maintaining reliable data transmission during roaming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4694340A1Communication method and apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

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AI summary

A communication method and apparatus are provided, and relate to the field of communication technologies. The method includes: When a current AP MLD determines that a non-AP MLD roams from the current AP MLD to a target AP MLD, and data exists in a send buffer (the send buffer is used to buffer data of the current AP MLD and data of the non-AP MLD) of the current AP MLD, the current AP MLD may send all the data in the send buffer to the non-AP MLD, or the current AP MLD may send all the data in the send buffer to the target AP MLD, so that the non-AP MLD can receive, from the target AP MLD, the data from the current AP MLD. This reduces a packet loss in a roaming handover process of the non-AP MLD, and further improves communication reliability of the non-AP MLD in the roaming process.