Multi-Link Communication With Dynamic Link Mapping and Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-link communication systems lack flexibility and fail to dynamically meet changing communication requirements, leading to inefficient link resource utilization and poor adaptation to actual application needs.

Innovation Solution

A multi-link communication method that allows multi-link devices to selectively establish, add, or delete communication links based on indication information exchanged in request and response messages, enhancing flexibility and adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multi-link communication is established on all supported links at the beginning, then communication availability is improved, but link resource utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication availabilityVSAvoidlink resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic link establishment and deletion mechanisms. The first multi-link device can selectively establish communication on specific links based on actual needs, and later delete links that are no longer needed. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt between availability and resource utilization based on real-time requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the multi-link communication into individual link-level operations. Instead of establishing all links simultaneously, the system can establish links independently and selectively. Each link can be managed separately with its own establishment and deletion operations, enabling fine-grained control over resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If only link information is provided without establishing multi-link communication, then flexibility for future updates is improved, but immediate communication capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility for link updatesVSAvoidimmediate communication capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent allows the first multi-link device to provide link information in advance without immediately establishing communication. This preliminary provision of link information enables future link establishment when needed, while the system can wait until actual communication requirements arise before activating the links, thus balancing readiness with flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically transitions between different states: providing only link information when flexibility is needed, and establishing actual communication when immediate capability is required. This dynamic state management allows the system to adapt its behavior based on real-time needs, switching between informational mode and active communication mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multi-link communication is established on all links, then communication robustness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication robustnessVSAvoidlink management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments link management into individual link-level operations. Instead of managing all links as a single unit, the system can independently establish, delete, and manage each link separately. This segmentation simplifies the management process by allowing focused control over individual links rather than complex coordination across all links simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables partial link establishment where the system can choose to establish communication on only the necessary links rather than all supported links. This partial action approach reduces management complexity by focusing resources only on active links, while the system maintains the capability to establish additional links if needed without being forced to manage all possible links.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4192080B1Multi-link communication method, service and link mapping method, and device
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4192080B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4192080B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4192080B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of this application relate to a multi-link communication method, a traffic-to-link mapping method, and a device. When a multi-link device performs multi-link establishment, the multi-link device may establish, based on a requirement, multi-link communication on a part of or all links supported by the multi-link device. In subsequent communication, a link may be further added or deleted from an established multi-link communication link based on a requirement. In this way, flexibility of multi-link communication can be improved, and a requirement of the multi-link device for dynamically updating the communication link can be met. In addition, the multi-link device may further establish a traffic-to-link mapping relationship during multi-link establishment, or update the traffic-to-link mapping relationship after completing multi-link establishment, to manage traffic transmission more flexibly and improve quality of service of traffic.