Multi-Link TXOP Handling for Non-STR Control Response Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in managing multi-link communications, particularly for non-simultaneous transmit and receive (non-STR) stations, leading to potential interference and loss of transmission opportunities.

Innovation Solution

Implement techniques for configuring control responses on multiple links to match or defer transmissions to avoid interference, ensuring synchronized end times of Physical Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) and maintaining transmission opportunity (TXOP) ownership.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If non-STR station transmits control responses on multiple links simultaneously, then transmission efficiency is improved, but interference occurs and TXOP ownership is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by having the non-STR station defer transmission of the second control response until after receiving the second data unit. This pre-planned timing adjustment prevents the station from transmitting control responses simultaneously on multiple links, thereby avoiding self-interference and maintaining TXOP ownership without sacrificing transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the transmission timing of control responses adaptive rather than fixed. The non-STR station dynamically adjusts when to transmit each control response based on whether it has received the corresponding data unit, allowing the system to optimize transmission efficiency while preventing interference under varying channel conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If non-STR station waits to receive data units before transmitting control responses, then interference is avoided, but transmission opportunity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidtransmission opportunity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the non-STR station prepare and queue control responses in advance for each link, but only transmit them after receiving the corresponding data units. This allows the station to minimize waiting time while ensuring transmissions occur at optimal moments when interference is avoided and TXOP ownership is maintained

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by ensuring the non-STR station continuously receives data units and transmits control responses without unnecessary idle periods. The station maintains TXOP ownership by keeping its receiver active on all links and transmitting control responses as soon as data units are received, maximizing channel utilization while preventing interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4118804B1Transmission opportunity handling for multi-link communications

Publication Date: 2026.04.22 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications and, more particularly, to techniques for managing multi-link communications. Some aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for configuring data unit and control response transmissions on multiple links. The data unit and control responses may be configured such that a control response transmission does not overlap with a data unit reception at a station that is without simultaneous transmission and reception capability