Multi-Link Device Probing With Proxy Relays for Link Failures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-link devices face challenges in obtaining communication information from access points due to link failures or congestion, leading to delayed information acquisition and increased power consumption and transmission overheads.
Innovation Solution
A multi-link device probing method where a station generates a probe request frame with indication information to selectively request communication information from access points on specific links, allowing for efficient information retrieval and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the STA multi-link device sends probe request frames on all links to discover APs, then the device can obtain communication information of APs on multiple links, but when a link fails or is congested, the device cannot timely obtain communication information of APs on that link
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy mechanism where one STA acts as a proxy for another STA to receive probe response frames. When a link fails or is congested, the proxy STA receives the probe response frame on a working link and forwards it to the target STA, enabling timely information acquisition without requiring the target STA to directly monitor all links
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the probing process by introducing proxy STAs that operate on different links than the target STA. This allows the system to switch from direct one-to-one link monitoring to a multi-dimensional proxy-based information relay mechanism, improving reliability when direct links fail
2Reliability
If the STA multi-link device monitors response frames on all links, then the device can obtain communication information from APs on any link, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy STA acts as an intermediary that monitors response frames on working links and relays them to target STAs on failed or congested links. This allows target STAs to reduce or suspend their monitoring activities on problematic links, significantly lowering power consumption while maintaining information availability through the proxy mechanism
3Adaptability or versatility
If the STA multi-link device sends probe request frames on all links, then the device can discover APs on multiple links, but transmission overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy mechanism consolidates probe request frame transmissions by having proxy STAs receive and forward probe response frames on working links rather than requiring target STAs to transmit and receive on all links. This reduces the total number of probe request frame transmissions and associated overheads while maintaining the ability to discover APs on multiple links
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy STA performs multiple functions: receiving probe response frames on working links, determining link status, and forwarding information to target STAs. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for redundant probe operations on each link, reducing overall transmission overheads while maintaining comprehensive AP discovery capability
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses a multi-link device probing method and a communication apparatus, which may be applied to a wireless local area network supporting the 802.11be standard. The method includes: A first access point (AP) receives a probe request frame that comprises a multi-link element, where the multi-link element is used to indicate a first access appoint (AP) to feed back information of an AP in the AP multi-link device; determines whether a link identifier field for indicating a link of an AP in the AP multi-link device is present in the multi-link element, wherein absence of the link identifier field indicates that information is requested for all APs in the AP multi-link device; and sends a probe response frame based on the determination.