Multi-link Element in Association Frames for Cross-Link Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in IEEE 802.11be standard, there is a need to clarify which functionalities should be handled at the Multilink Device (MLD) level and not at the Station (STA) level, especially for Association/Reassociation Request/Response frames, which require information about multiple links, and to enable management frames to be transmitted on any link without reconstructing them.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a Multi-link element in the frames with a common part and Per-STA profile parts to include necessary fields for each STA, and using a Link ID info field or cross-link management frame concept to indicate the intended link, allowing frames to be sent and received accurately on any link without re-construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Association/Reassociation frames include information about multiple links, then the frames can be transmitted on any link without reconstruction, but the frame structure and parsing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is segmented into a common part that contains Multi-link element information applicable to all links, and Per-STA profile parts that contain link-specific information. This segmentation allows the frame to be parsed efficiently by first processing the common part once, then accessing individual Per-STA profiles as needed, rather than duplicating information across all links.
Solution Approach 2:
The common part of the frame structure is designed to be universal across all links by incorporating a Multi-link element that contains information applicable to multiple links. This universal structure eliminates the need to reconstruct frames when switching between links, as the common information remains valid across all link contexts.
2Productivity
If frames are transmitted on any link without reconstruction, then transmission efficiency improves, but link identification accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A Link ID info field is introduced as an intermediary element within the frame structure that explicitly identifies the intended link. This intermediary provides unambiguous link identification information that accompanies the frame transmission, allowing receivers to accurately determine which link the frame applies to even when transmitted on different links.
3Reliability
If Multilink operation is implemented at MLD level, then system coordination improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple Association/Reassociation frames for different links are merged into a single composite frame structure that includes a common part with Multi-link element and multiple Per-STA profile parts. This merging reduces the number of separate transmissions needed and improves system coordination at the MLD level, while the structured organization prevents excessive complexity through systematic information grouping.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices related to (re)association. A device may generate a (re)association frame comprising information associated with a first link of a multi-link device; provide in a link information element of the (re)association frame information identifying a second link of the multi-link device; and cause to send the (re)association frame for the first link on the second link.