Multi-Link Block Acknowledgement Frame Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-link communications, existing block acknowledgment operations lack efficiency due to inadequate inclusion of necessary information in block acknowledgment requests and responses, which hampers successful execution of these operations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transmitting block acknowledgment requests and responses in quality of service (QoS) data frames or aggregated-media access control (MAC) protocol data units (A-MPDU), incorporating sequence number bits, fragment number fields, and bitmap fields to ensure comprehensive acknowledgment, with the option to update WinStartB and WinStartR values and support larger block acknowledgment buffer sizes by using additional sequence number bits and Solicited BA Bitmap Size fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional block acknowledgment requests and responses are used in multi-link communications, then the structure remains simple and compatible with existing protocols, but the operations lack efficiency due to inadequate inclusion of necessary information
Solution Approach 1:
The block acknowledgment request is segmented into multiple fields including a first field indicating buffer size and a second field containing sequence number information. This segmentation allows comprehensive information to be conveyed while maintaining structured organization, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional dimensions to the block acknowledgment structure by incorporating buffer size indications and extended sequence number fields. These new dimensions enable more efficient block acknowledgment operations without completely redesigning the existing protocol structure, thus improving efficiency while controlling complexity.
2Reliability
If block acknowledgment requests include all necessary information for efficient operations, then operation efficiency improves, but the request structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The block acknowledgment request structure is designed to serve multiple functions: indicating buffer size, conveying sequence number information, and maintaining compatibility with existing protocols. This multi-functionality ensures reliable block acknowledgment operations while avoiding unnecessary structural complexity through unified field design.
3Productivity
If larger block acknowledgment buffer sizes are supported, then more frames can be acknowledged in a single operation improving throughput, but the information required to manage these buffers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a first field to the block acknowledgment request that explicitly indicates buffer size, creating a new dimension for buffer management information. This allows larger buffer sizes to be supported while systematically organizing the additional information required, preventing information loss and enabling improved throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of an apparatus and method are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of executing block acknowledgement operations in a multi-link communications system comprises transmitting a request for block acknowledgement response from a first multi-link device to a second multi-link device, wherein the request is either in quality of service (QoS) data frames of aggregated-media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (A-MPDU) or a block acknowledgement request, and receiving a block acknowledgment from the second multi-link device by the first multi-link device.