Multi-Link Block Acknowledgement Policy for Wi-Fi 6E Throughput
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In 802.11be networks, managing data transmission across multiple links increases complexity due to the need for individual acknowledgement messages, leading to inflexible network adjustments and reduced throughput when network conditions change.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-link collaborative block acknowledgement policy that integrates packet receiving states across links, allowing for unified data management through Add Block ACK (ADDBA) requests and responses, and sending converged packets, which enables flexible data distribution and reordering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual ACK messages are used for each link, then reliability of data transmission is ensured, but device complexity and management overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual link acknowledgements into a unified Block ACK mechanism that operates across multiple links. Instead of managing separate ACK messages for each link, the system consolidates packet status information from multiple links into a single Block ACK message, reducing management complexity while maintaining reliability through comprehensive packet acknowledgment
2Device complexity
If strict data distribution policy is followed across multiple links, then packet window management is simplified, but network flexibility and throughput decrease when network conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic link selection and data distribution policies that adapt to changing network conditions. The system can flexibly allocate packets across different links based on real-time link quality, latency, and throughput conditions, allowing the network to optimize performance dynamically rather than following rigid distribution rules
3Ease of operation
If multiple sets of packet sequence numbers are used for each link, then individual link tracking is simplified, but data merging and reordering complexity at the receiver increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a unified packet sequence number space that acts as an intermediary between individual link tracking and global data ordering. This unified numbering system allows packets from multiple links to be tracked individually while maintaining a consistent global order, simplifying the data merging and reordering process at the receiver
4Reliability
If Block ACK is fed back on each link separately, then link-specific acknowledgment is achieved, but network efficiency and throughput are reduced due to redundant feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines Block ACK feedback from multiple links into a single consolidated feedback mechanism. Instead of transmitting separate Block ACK messages for each link, the system aggregates packet status information across all links and transmits a unified Block ACK, reducing feedback overhead while maintaining comprehensive acknowledgment coverage
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method and device for responding to data received by multiple links. The method includes that: a message initiator sends an Add Block ACK (ADDBA) request message to a message responder on multiple links respectively; the message initiator receives an ADDBA response message sent by the message responder on multiple links respectively, the ADDBA response message containing the parameter ML-BA Policy which indicates that the message responder allows usage modes of a multi-link collaborative block acknowledgement policy; and the message initiator sends a converged packet to the message responder on multiple links respectively.