Multi-Link Triggered Access Coordination for WLAN Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless local area network (WLAN) stations struggle to concurrently respond to trigger frames on multiple links with the same traffic ID, as existing technologies do not support simultaneous transmission of data with the same Quality of Service (QoS) class across multiple links.
Innovation Solution
A station multi-link device determines a preferred triggering link and coordinates with an access point to manage and transmit data across multiple links, allowing for concurrent data transmission using different traffic IDs and switching links when the preferred link is busy, enabling efficient data transfer even in power save modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a station MLD transmits data with the same TID on multiple links simultaneously, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but existing technologies do not support this capability causing transmission delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission by creating separate TID-to-link mappings for different links. Each link is assigned specific TIDs, allowing the station to transmit different data streams (with different TIDs) simultaneously on multiple links, thereby achieving parallel data transmission without conflict
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of control by mapping TIDs to specific links rather than allowing uniform transmission across all links. This dimensional separation in the TID-link space enables simultaneous transmissions on multiple links while maintaining QoS differentiation, resolving the contradiction between transmission efficiency and supportability
2Ease of operation
If the STA MLD uses a single preferred triggering link for all transmissions, then coordination simplicity is improved, but link utilization efficiency deteriorates when the preferred link is busy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic link selection by maintaining multiple TID-to-link mappings that can be flexibly activated based on current link availability. When the preferred triggering link is busy, the system dynamically switches to alternative links for specific TIDs, achieving both operational simplicity and high utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of link assignment from static (single preferred link) to dynamic (multiple configurable mappings). By configuring different TID-to-link mappings based on link conditions, the system optimizes both coordination simplicity and link utilization efficiency under varying operational states
3Reliability
If the STA MLD monitors all links for trigger frames, then trigger frame reception completeness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different monitoring responsibilities to different links based on their assigned TIDs. The station only monitors specific links for trigger frames corresponding to their assigned TIDs, rather than monitoring all links universally. This localized monitoring approach ensures complete trigger frame reception for relevant traffic while minimizing power consumption by idle links
4Reliability
If the STA MLD switches to alternative links when preferred link is busy, then transmission reliability is improved, but link coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple TID-to-link mappings before transmission begins. When link switching is needed, the system simply activates a pre-established mapping rather than dynamically calculating new routes. This approach ensures transmission reliability through alternative paths while keeping coordination complexity low through pre-planned configurations
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are disclosed for triggered multi-link (ML) access coordination. A station (STA) ML device (MLD) can establish a preferred triggering link (PTL) with an access point (AP) MLD where the PTL is the preferred link for receiving triggering frames. The STA MLD can transmit uplink (UL) frames via the PTL in response to a trigger frame. Subsequently, the STA MLD can determine that the PTL is busy, and transmit enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) UL frames on a non-PTL link. In a power save mode, the STA MLD can use the PTL to exchange UL and downlink (DL) frames. Multiple PTLs can be established supporting concurrent trigger frames, and different ranges of traffic IDs (TIDs) can be used for each PTL. The STA MLD can utilize AP MLD link pair information to receive a DL retransmission corresponding to one TID via both links of the AP MLD link pair.