Multi-Link WLAN Frame End Alignment on Non-STR Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless LAN devices face challenges in supporting simultaneous transmission and reception (STR) required for multi-link operation, as the hardware requirements are high, making it difficult for all communication apparatuses to efficiently perform this function.
Innovation Solution
The communication apparatuses and methods involve generating and transmitting frames based on destination information to align frame ends and utilize Low-Density Parity Check Code (LDPC) encoding and aligned end times for Physical Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) across multiple links, even in non-STR operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-link operation is implemented to enable simultaneous transmission and reception across multiple connections, then communication efficiency and throughput are improved, but hardware complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing non-STR multi-link operation modes where frame transmission and reception are performed sequentially rather than simultaneously. This parameter change allows devices with simpler hardware to participate in multi-link operations by adjusting the timing and mode of frame exchanges, thereby maintaining improved throughput without requiring complex simultaneous transmission and reception capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frame transmission and reception are performed independently in multiple connections simultaneously, then communication flexibility and resource utilization are improved, but interference and collision probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing clear channel assessment (CCA) and determining frame transmission timing before actual frame transmission. The communication apparatus checks whether the channel is idle before transmitting frames on each link, and adjusts transmission timing to avoid simultaneous transmissions that would cause interference. This preliminary channel checking and timing coordination reduces interference while maintaining the flexibility of multi-link operations.
3Reliability
If all communication apparatuses support simultaneous transmission and reception for multi-link operation, then network performance is improved, but device cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the multi-link operation system universal by enabling both STR-capable and non-STR-capable devices to participate in the same network. The system supports multiple operation modes (STR and non-STR) that can be selected based on device capabilities. This multi-functionality allows the network to automatically adapt to different device types, ensuring broad compatibility and ease of manufacture while maintaining reliable multi-link operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An access point apparatus is configured to communicate with a station apparatus using a plurality of links. The access point apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit a plurality of Physical Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) soliciting a plurality of response frames and a receiver configured to receive the plurality of response frames, the plurality of response frames being received on the plurality of links. At least one of the plurality of PPDUs is encoded by using a Low-Density Parity Check Code (LDPC), at least one resource unit (RU) is allocated to the station apparatus, the at least one RU including a group of subcarriers, and in a case of an operation on a pair of non-Simultaneously Transmission and Reception (STR) links, an end time of each of the plurality of PPDUs is aligned.