Multi-AP MLD Coordination for Reliable Low-Latency Wireless Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

The capabilities of access point multi-link devices (AP MLDs) are insufficient to meet transmission requirements, particularly in scenarios requiring high-reliability, high-data-rate, and low-latency communications.

Innovation Solution

Implementing multi-AP MLD coordination through the discovery of multi-AP MLD candidate sets, setup of a frame structure, and network architecture to enable coordinated transmission among multiple APs, including methods for association and information exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If single AP MLD is used, then device complexity is low, but transmission capability and reliability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidmulti-AP coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple AP MLDs into a coordinated system where multiple access points work together as a unified network entity. This merging enables enhanced transmission capability and reliability through cooperative communication while managing the complexity through standardized coordination protocols and joint association procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal multi-AP coordination framework that can handle various transmission scenarios (high-reliability, high-data-rate, low-latency) through a single coordinated system architecture. The multi-AP MLD candidate set mechanism provides multi-functional capability to adapt to different service requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multi-AP MLD coordination is implemented, then data rate increases, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidcoordination system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the multi-AP coordination system into manageable components: AP MLDs, non-AP MLDs, multi-AP MLD candidate sets, and coordinated transmission mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to operate with defined functions while contributing to overall high data rate performance through their coordinated interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of time

If multi-AP MLD coordination is implemented, then latency reduces, but association and setup complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication latencyVSAvoidassociation setup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action through the multi-AP MLD candidate set mechanism, where potential coordinated AP groups are pre-identified and configured before actual transmission needs arise. This preliminary setup enables faster response to latency-critical services by having coordination capabilities already in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4654508A1Wireless communication methods, and devices
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4654508A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4654508A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a
  • EP4654508A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for wireless communication and a device, which are designed with discovery of multi-access point (AP) multiple link device (MLD) coordination capabilities, setup of a multi-AP MLD candidate set, and a frame structure and network architecture used therefor, such that multi-AP MLD coordinated transmission can be implemented. The method for wireless communication includes receiving, by a first AP MLD, an association request frame sent by a first non-AP MLD. The association request frame is used to request association with a target multi-AP MLD candidate set, and the association request frame contains first multi-link information, where the first multi-link information indicates information of multiple links that the first non-AP MLD requests to set up between the first non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, and the target multi-AP MLD candidate set is a multi-AP MLD candidate set to which the first AP MLD belongs.