Multi-Link MAC Architecture for Secure Wireless Frame Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication protocols fail to support multi-link connections, unable to identify entities with multiple links, establish per-Traffic Identifier aggregation BlockACK agreements, assign frame Sequence Numbers, and perform replay checks, leading to communication difficulties and inefficiencies in multi-link systems.
Innovation Solution
A framework for multi-link communications is provided, including a unified upper MAC layer interfacing with individual link-specific lower MACs, establishing security associations at multiple levels, and using a new frame MAC header format to identify and manage multi-link frames, enabling per-link security, BlockACK management, and frame sequence number assignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional wireless communication protocols are used, then single-link communication is supported, but multi-link connections cannot be established
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels: upper MAC layer entities that remain unchanged and lower MAC entities that are link-specific. This segmentation allows multi-link support by adding link-specific functionality without modifying the existing upper layer protocol structure, thus maintaining backward compatibility while enabling multi-link connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional layer (lower MAC entity layer) beneath the existing upper MAC layer. This dimensional addition enables multi-link operations by creating link-specific MAC entities that operate in parallel, allowing simultaneous management of multiple links while preserving the original single-link protocol functionality.
2Productivity
If multi-link connections are established, then communication efficiency improves, but entity identification becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Each lower MAC entity is assigned link-specific local identifiers (such as link IDs or interface identifiers) that distinguish it from other link entities. This local quality differentiation enables clear entity identification within the multi-link context, allowing the system to track and manage individual links efficiently while maintaining overall communication productivity.
3Productivity
If per-TID aggregation BlockACK agreements are established, then acknowledgment efficiency improves, but frame management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The BlockACK management is segmented by Traffic Identifier (TID), allowing separate aggregation agreements for different traffic streams. Each TID can have its own BlockACK parameters and state machine, enabling efficient per-TID acknowledgment handling while distributing the management complexity across multiple independent tracking structures rather than a single monolithic system.
4Reliability
If replay checks are performed, then security reliability improves, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sequence numbers are assigned to frames in advance during transmission, and replay check state machines are pre-configured with expected sequence number ranges. This preliminary action allows receiving entities to perform rapid replay detection by simply comparing incoming frame sequence numbers against pre-established expectations, rather than performing complex analysis in real-time, thus maintaining security while minimizing processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving, from a receiver, a broadcast probe request with a multi-link designator, determining that the receiver is multi-link capable based on the probe request, transmitting a probe response including a first multi-link upper Media Access Control (MAC) entity identity of a transmitter, receiving an authentication trigger from the receiver, and transmitting an authentication response to the receiver.