Multi-Link WLAN Association Feedback for Faster Link Setup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During multi-link setup, if the first link is not accepted, existing methods require the non-AP MLD to send association request frames on all links, leading to low efficiency due to unknown causes of rejection and unnecessary attempts.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method includes setting specific status code fields in association response frames to indicate why a link is not accepted, allowing the non-AP MLD to prioritize links with a higher probability of success, thereby reducing unnecessary attempts and improving setup efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the non-AP MLD sends association request frames on all links when the first link is not accepted, then the likelihood of successful multi-link setup is improved, but the setup efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary attempts and increased time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the AP MLD provide status code information in the association response frame that explains why a link was not accepted. This feedback mechanism allows the non-AP MLD to understand the rejection cause and make informed decisions about whether to attempt other links, thereby avoiding unnecessary setup attempts and improving overall setup efficiency while maintaining successful connection likelihood.
2Reliability
If the non-AP MLD attempts to set up multi-link communication on each link, then the reliability of finding a successful link is improved, but the loss of time increases due to multiple unsuccessful attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the AP MLD pre-evaluate all requested links and provide status code information in the association response frame before the non-AP MLD makes setup attempts. This allows the non-AP MLD to know in advance which links are likely to succeed and prioritize its attempts accordingly, reducing time loss from unsuccessful attempts while ensuring reliable link setup success.
3Ease of operation
If the association response frame includes detailed status code information about link rejection causes, then the ease of operation is improved by enabling intelligent link selection, but the device complexity increases due to additional frame fields and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the existing status code field in the association response frame for multi-functionality. Instead of creating new dedicated fields for link rejection reasons, the status code field serves both its traditional function of indicating overall association status and the additional function of providing specific link rejection causes. This approach enables intelligent link selection without significantly increasing device complexity, as it leverages an already-present frame component.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
This application relates to a multi-link communication setup method and a related apparatus. The method includes: A non-AP MLD sends an association request frame on a first link, to request multi-link setup. An AP MLD returns an association response frame on the first link, to notify whether multi-link setup succeeds. The AP MLD sets a second status code field of a multi-link element of the association response frame to a newly defined value, to indicate that a cause why a link is not accepted is that the first link is not accepted. According to embodiments of this application, efficiency of multi-link setup can be improved. This application is applied to a WLAN system that supports a next generation Wi-Fi protocol of 802.11ax, for example, 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, or EHT, and other 802.11 series protocols; and for another example, a next generation protocol of 802.11be: Wi-Fi 8. This application may further be applied to an ultra wide band-based wireless personal area network system or a sensing system.