Multi-Link Uplink Reachability Assessment Using AP Power Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional technologies lack a method for determining link reachability in the uplink direction for multi-link devices, leading to potential communication disruptions as multi-link STAs may send data on unreachable links.
Innovation Solution
A link reachability determining method for multi-link devices, where a multi-link STA receives a frame with transmit power and antenna gain information to assess uplink reachability, and a multi-link AP sends a frame with similar information to determine link reachability, allowing selective link usage and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-link STA sends uplink data on all supported links without determining reachability, then communication coverage is maximized, but communication reliability deteriorates due to potential data loss on unreachable links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining link reachability before sending uplink data. The multi-link STA calculates uplink receive power for each link using downlink receive power, transmit power, and antenna gain information obtained from the first frame. This advance assessment prevents data transmission on unreachable links, ensuring communication reliability while maintaining efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If a multi-link STA scans all links to determine uplink reachability, then link selection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary information from the first frame (transmit power and antenna gain of APs) to calculate uplink reachability. Instead of scanning all links comprehensively, the STA uses the received downlink power measurements combined with the extracted AP parameters to infer uplink conditions, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining assessment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses downlink receive power as an intermediary parameter to infer uplink reachability. Rather than directly measuring uplink conditions on all links, the STA leverages the downlink power measurements and AP transmit characteristics as a mediator to calculate estimated uplink receive power, reducing the need for exhaustive scanning.
3Reliability
If a multi-link STA uses only downlink reachability information, then device complexity is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates due to asymmetric link conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct uplink transmission testing with a calculation-based approach. Instead of mechanically testing each link by sending probe packets (which会增加 device complexity), the STA substitutes this with mathematical calculations using downlink power measurements, transmit power, and antenna gain information to estimate uplink receive power, maintaining reliability without increased complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A link reachability determining method to enable a multi-link device to determine whether a link is reachable in an uplink direction, includes: a multi-link STA receives a first frame sent by a multi-link AP on a first link, where the first frame includes transmit power and antenna gain information of each AP of the multi-link AP; and then, the multi-link STA determines, based on the first frame, whether each of M links supported by the multi-link STA is reachable in an uplink direction.