Multi-Link Frame Exchange for Efficient Communication Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-link communications, efficiently executing operations across multiple links is challenging due to the need for multiple frame exchanges, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method that enables a single frame exchange between multi-link devices to execute multi-link operations by incorporating an element that carries link information and per-link value information, allowing successful completion of operations across multiple links using a frame transmitted on one link.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple frame exchanges are used to execute multi-link operations, then each link can be managed individually, but the complexity of operation and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple link operations into a single frame exchange mechanism. The action frame carries information for multiple links simultaneously, allowing security key negotiations and other multi-link operations to be completed in one transaction rather than requiring separate frame exchanges for each link, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining individual link management capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The action frame is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple link operations simultaneously. By incorporating link identifiers and per-link information fields, a single frame structure can serve multiple links with different parameters, making the frame exchange mechanism versatile enough to manage various multi-link operations without requiring link-specific frame formats
2Loss of information
If multiple frame exchanges are performed for multi-link operations, then comprehensive link information can be exchanged, but the execution time and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple information exchange operations into a single frame transmission. The action frame incorporates link identifier fields and per-link information structures that allow comprehensive link data to be conveyed in one message, eliminating the need for multiple sequential frame exchanges and thereby reducing time consumption while preserving information completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional aspect to the frame structure by incorporating link identifier fields and per-link information arrays. This allows the single frame to represent multiple links simultaneously through structured data organization, effectively transitioning from a single-link to multi-link information model without requiring multiple physical frame exchanges
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate frame exchanges are used for each link, then link-specific operations can be precisely controlled, but the device complexity and processing burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The action frame is designed as a universal structure that can handle link-specific operations through its configurable fields. The frame includes link identifier fields and per-link information structures that allow precise control of individual links while maintaining a unified processing framework, reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate processing logic for each link
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of an apparatus and method are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of executing multi-link operations in a multi-link communications system comprises performing a single frame exchange between a first multi-link device and a second multi-link device to execute a multi-link operation for multiple links between the first and second multi-link devices using a frame transmitted on a first link among the multiple links, wherein the frame includes an element that carries other link information on at least one link of the multiple links other than the first link, wherein the frame includes per-link value information that has different values for different links of the multiple link, and wherein successful execution of the single frame exchange completes the multi-link operation for at least two links of the multiple links between the first and second multi-link devices.