Cross-Link Power State Signaling for Multi-Link Wi‑Fi Power Saving

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing cross-link power save states and power management modes, including limitations in transferring power save and power management states across links, out-of-order signaling due to channel contention, and unresolved issues in incorporating cross-link signaling in control frames.

Innovation Solution

Implement mechanisms for enhancing cross-link power management mode and power save state indication by introducing MLPM and MLPS parameters, including support indications, link-specific capabilities, and timing synchronization to ensure accurate and synchronized power state transitions across multi-link devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If power management mode change signaling or power save state change signaling is transmitted for a first STA, then power management efficiency is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines power management mode change signaling and power save state change signaling into a single message structure that can be transmitted together. The message includes fields for both power management mode indication and power save state indication, allowing simultaneous transmission of multiple control signals without requiring separate signaling messages for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The signaling message is designed with multi-functionality to handle both power management mode changes and power save state changes within a single transmission. The message structure includes universal fields that can indicate different types of power state transitions, making the signaling mechanism versatile and reducing the need for multiple specialized signaling messages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If cross-link signaling is implemented for power state transitions, then power state synchronization across links is improved, but channel contention causes out-of-order signaling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower state synchronizationVSAvoidsignaling order

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary actions by having STAs indicate their capability to transmit power management mode change signaling or power save state change signaling before actual power state transitions occur. This capability indication is established in advance, allowing the system to prepare and coordinate signaling transmissions to avoid out-of-order delivery and ensure proper synchronization across multiple links.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where STAs transmit capability indications to APs and other STAs about their power management signaling capabilities. This feedback information is used to coordinate transmission timing and ordering, ensuring that power state change signaling is delivered in the correct sequence across different links and avoiding channel contention issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multi-link operation is supported, then communication versatility is improved, but power management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-link operation capabilityVSAvoidpower management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power management functionality by treating each link independently while maintaining overall coordination. Each STA can independently indicate its power management capabilities and transmit signaling messages specific to its link, while the system maintains a coordinated approach across all links. This segmentation reduces the complexity of managing power states across multiple links by allowing localized control while preserving multi-link versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260025651A1Cross-link power save state and power management mode indication

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method and device for enhancing cross-link power save state and power management mode indication. A method for operating a non-AP MLD, the non-AP MLD including STAs, each STA configured to transmit and receive information on a respective link established with a corresponding AP of an AP MLD. The method includes: determining a capability to transmit power management mode change signaling or power save state change signaling for a first STA of the non-AP MLD; generating a first message including an indication that indicates the capability to transmit power management mode change signaling or power save state change signaling for the first STA; and transmitting the first message including the indication that indicates the capability to transmit power management mode change signaling or power save state change signaling for the first STA to the AP MLD.