Multi-Link Device Block ACK Signaling for STA Power States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless local area network (WLAN) systems lack efficient methods to transmit power state information of receiving stations (STAs) to transmitting stations, leading to inefficient data transmission due to unawareness of which STAs are in an awake or doze state.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a block acknowledgment (BA) frame with AID information fields to transmit power state information of STAs, allowing transmitting stations to adjust data transmission based on the awake or doze state of receiving STAs, while maintaining compatibility with previous WLAN systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If power state information is transmitted using a new frame structure, then power state information can be conveyed, but compatibility with previous WLAN systems is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The BA frame is designed to serve multiple functions: it acknowledges received data packets and simultaneously conveys power state information of receiving STAs. By making the BA frame multi-functional, the patent enables power state information transmission without requiring a new frame structure, thus maintaining compatibility with existing WLAN systems while solving the information transmission problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the existing AID information field in the BA frame and reinterprets its parameters to encode power state information. By changing how the parameters in the existing frame are used (rather than adding new fields), the system can transmit power state information while preserving backward compatibility with previous WLAN standards.
2Loss of information
If the BA frame structure is modified to include power state information, then power state information can be transmitted, but the structure of existing BA frames changes
Solution Approach 1:
The BA frame is designed to serve multiple functions: it acknowledges received data packets and simultaneously conveys power state information of receiving STAs. By making the BA frame multi-functional, the patent enables power state information transmission without requiring a new frame structure, thus maintaining compatibility with existing WLAN systems while solving the information transmission problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the existing AID information field in the BA frame and reinterprets its parameters to encode power state information. By changing how the parameters in the existing frame are used (rather than adding new fields), the system can transmit power state information while preserving backward compatibility with previous WLAN standards.
Data Source
AI summary
In a wireless local area network system, a reception MLD may include a plurality of reception stations (STAs). The reception MLD may receive, from a transmission MLD, a first physical protocol data unit (PPDU) including data. The reception MLD may transmit, to the transmission MLD, a block acknowledgement (ACK) (BA) frame regarding the first PPDU. The BA frame may include a first association identifier (AID) information field and a second AID information field. The first AID information field may include a first AID field related to an AID of the transmission MLD and an ACK information field regarding the data. The second AID information field may include a second AID field and a power state information field related to whether the plurality of reception STAs are in an awake state or in a doze state, on the basis of the second AID field having a first value.