Multilink Communication PTK Sharing for Consistent Packet Numbers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication using multiple frequency channels, normal data frames are discarded due to inconsistent Packet Numbers (PNs) when different Pairwise Transient Keys (PTKs) are used across channels, leading to rearrangement issues.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus establishes a first and second link via frequency channels and sets a shared Pairwise Transient Key (PTK) between these links to maintain consistency and prevent data frame discarding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different PTKs are used for each frequency channel, then communication quality can be optimized per channel, but Packet Numbers become inconsistent causing normal data frames to be discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the PTK management across multiple frequency channels by establishing a single shared PTK that is common to all links. This eliminates the complexity of managing multiple different PTKs while maintaining consistent Packet Numbering across all channels, preventing discarding of normal data frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared PTK serves multiple frequency channels simultaneously, making the encryption key universal across all links. This allows the same PTK to be used for encryption on different channels without causing PN inconsistency, as the key is common to all channels.
2Productivity
If multiple frequency channels are used for multilink communication, then throughput is improved, but PN inconsistency occurs when different PTKs are used across channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple frequency channels under a single shared PTK framework. This allows multilink communication to achieve high throughput while maintaining PN consistency across all channels, preventing information loss from discarding normal data frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the reception side monitors PN sequences across multiple channels and adjusts transmission accordingly. This ensures that PN consistency is maintained across all frequency channels, preventing discarding of valid data frames while preserving high throughput.
3Ease of operation
If data frames are rearranged by SN, then transmission order is restored, but PN inconsistency causes correct frames to be discarded as replays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the PTK across all frequency channels, which ensures that Packet Numbers are generated consistently across all channels. This eliminates PN inconsistency during data frame rearrangement by SN, allowing correct frames to be properly identified and accepted without being mistakenly discarded as replays.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus capable of performing multilink communication conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard series includes a connection unit configured to establish a first link and a second link via a frequency channel, and a setting unit configured to set, in a case where a communication apparatus as a connection partner in the first link established by the connection unit is same as a communication apparatus as a connection partner in the second link established by the connection unit, a Pairwise Transient Key (PTK) to be shared between communication via the first link and communication via the second link.