Multi-Link Probe Response Signaling With Reduced WLAN Frame Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased number of spatial streams in new WLAN standards like IEEE 802.11be requires improved signaling techniques to efficiently manage and reduce frame overhead in multi-link device (MLD) communications.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for transmitting a probe response frame that omits the (Extended) Request element in the profile field of another AP when a non-AP STA requests partial information, using a Multi-Link (ML) element to include the requested information, thereby preventing unnecessary duplication and reducing overall frame overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If complete profile information is included for all APs in probe response frames, then information completeness is improved, but frame overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary partial information from the complete profile data structure. When a non-AP STA requests information about other APs, the system selectively includes only the requested elements in the probe response frame, rather than transmitting the entire profile. This extraction principle reduces frame overhead while maintaining information completeness for the specific request.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by including only the portion of profile information that is actually requested by the non-AP STA. The Request element in the profile field indicates which specific information elements are needed, and the probe response frame includes only those partial elements rather than the complete profile, optimizing the balance between information delivery and frame size.
2Quantity of substance
If partial information is omitted from profile fields, then frame overhead is reduced, but information completeness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback through the Request element to determine what information to include. The non-AP STA's probe request frame contains a Request element that specifies which profile information elements are needed. The AP uses this feedback to selectively include only the requested information in the probe response, ensuring information completeness matches the actual needs while minimizing overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of information inclusion from a fixed complete profile to a dynamic partial profile based on the Request element. The profile field's content is adjusted according to the specific request parameters, allowing the system to adapt the information completeness to the actual requirements, thereby reducing overhead without losing necessary information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If signaling techniques are improved to manage increased spatial streams, then communication capability is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the profile information into individual elements that can be selectively included or excluded based on the Request element. This segmentation allows the signaling mechanism to handle increased spatial streams by including only the relevant information elements needed for the current communication context, enhancing capability while avoiding the complexity of transmitting unnecessary information.
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed are a method and device for receiving partial information regarding another AP within a transmission MLD in a wireless LAN system. Particularly, a reception MLD transmits a probe request frame to a transmission MLD via a first link. The reception MLD receives a probe response frame from the transmission MLD via the first link. The transmission MLD includes: a first transmission STA operating in the first link; and a second transmission STA operating in a second link. The reception MLD includes a first reception STA operating in the first link. If the first reception STA requests partial information regarding the first and second links, the probe response frame includes a first frame body and a first ML element. If the partial information regarding the first link and the partial information regarding the second link are the same, the partial information is not included in a profile sub-element of the second transmission STA, and a value of a first full profile sub-field is set to 0.