Multi-Link Trigger Frame Timing for Synchronized Wi‑Fi Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-link communication using the IEEE802.11be standard, the transmission of trigger frames in each link can lead to shifted communication timing, potentially increasing interference between links.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus transmits a trigger frame with identification information for a different link within a multi-link communication, ensuring synchronized data transmission across multiple channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If trigger frames are transmitted in each link simultaneously, then data transmission can be initiated in multiple links, but the communication timing may shift and interference between links may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication timing synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reference link as an intermediary that mediates the timing synchronization between multiple links. The reference link's trigger frame transmission timing serves as a common reference for all other links, ensuring that data transmissions across different links are synchronized and interference is minimized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter of trigger frames in non-reference links by applying a link-specific offset to the reference link's trigger frame timing. This parameter adjustment ensures that all links maintain synchronized data transmission timing while allowing for individual link characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If trigger frames are transmitted in each link, then data transmission can be instructed in each link independently, but the STA cannot always receive the trigger frames at the same time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent link controlVSAvoidtiming synchronization delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary timing calculation by determining a link-specific offset for each non-reference link based on the reference link's trigger frame timing. This preliminary action ensures that when trigger frames are transmitted, all links are pre-configured to achieve simultaneous data transmission timing, eliminating reception delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If communication timing shifts occur in multi-link communication, then interference between links increases, but maintaining synchronized timing requires complex coordination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication timing synchronizationVSAvoidtiming coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the timing coordination problem by designating one link as a reference and calculating offsets for other links independently. This segmentation simplifies the overall coordination complexity by breaking it into manageable parts: one reference timing source and multiple independent offset calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12513762B2Communication apparatus, control method for communication apparatus, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication apparatus for wirelessly communicating with another communication apparatus, comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the other communication apparatus, a trigger frame used as a trigger to instruct the other communication apparatus to execute data transmission in a multi-link, wherein the trigger frame includes identification information for identifying another link different from a link in which the trigger frame is transmitted in the multi-link.