Multi-Link Management Frame Cross-Link Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-link communication methods fail to fully utilize the multi-link feature, resulting in low transmission efficiency due to inadequate management frame transmission mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A data transmission method that includes generating a management frame with link indication information, allowing for cross-link transmission, and ensuring correct application of the management frame by devices receiving it.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If management frames are transmitted only on the same link as intended for application, then link identification is simple, but multi-link resource utilization is insufficient and transmission efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidframe transmission mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the management frame transmission mechanism by introducing link indication information that identifies which link the frame applies to. This allows management frames to be transmitted on any link rather than being constrained to a single link, enabling flexible cross-link transmission while maintaining clear identification of the target link through the added indication field.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the management frame transmission mechanism universal across multiple links by adding link indication information. The same management frame structure can now be transmitted on any link in the multi-link system, with the link indication field specifying the appropriate target link. This multi-functional approach allows a single transmission mechanism to serve multiple links, improving resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If cross-link transmission of management frames is enabled, then multi-link resource utilization improves, but processing accuracy may decrease without proper link identification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidframe application accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces link indication information as an intermediary element within the management frame. This intermediary field carries the link identification that mediates between the transmitted frame and its target link, ensuring that receiving devices can accurately determine which link the frame applies to even when transmitted across multiple links. This mediator prevents processing errors while enabling cross-link transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If link indication information is added to management frames, then cross-link transmission is enabled, but frame structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-link transmission capabilityVSAvoidmanagement frame structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the link indication information within the existing management frame structure. Rather than creating a separate complex transmission mechanism, the link identification is embedded as a field within the management frame itself, similar to how other control information is nested within frame structures. This nested approach adds the necessary adaptability for cross-link transmission while minimizing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4246858B1Data transmission method, communication apparatus, computer-readable storage medium and chip
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4246858B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4246858B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4246858B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of this disclosure provide a data transmission method, a communication apparatus, a computer-readable storage medium, and a chip. The method includes: generating, by a first multi-link device, a management frame, where the management frame includes a receiver address, a transmitter address, and link indication information, and the link indication information indicates that the management frame is applied to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information; and sending the management frame to a second multi-link device on a link on which a station indicated by the receiver address or a station indicated by the transmitter address operates. In this way, in embodiments of this disclosure, the management frame may include the link indication information, to indicate a link to which the management frame is applied, so that cross-link transmission of the management frame can be implemented, and the second multi-link device can apply the management frame to a correct link. This avoids a processing error.