Multilink WLAN Roaming Using Link Rerouting Before AP Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing WLAN infrastructure-assisted roaming methods for multilink devices (MLDs) do not consider multiple links, leading to potential connectivity disruptions when one link approaches the coverage edge of an access point, as they trigger roam requests prematurely.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method and system at the access point to determine non-viable links and reroute traffic to other viable links within the coverage area, or initiate a controlled roam to another access point if necessary, using TID-to-link mapping and quality of service assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a roam request is triggered when a link approaches the coverage edge, then the link can be reconnected to another access point, but connectivity disruption occurs because other links are still within coverage area
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of link viability by evaluating signal strength and coverage status before triggering roaming. Multiple links are monitored simultaneously, and roaming is only initiated when all links are confirmed to be non-viable, preventing premature roaming actions that would cause connectivity disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic link management where the access point continuously monitors the status of multiple links and adjusts roaming decisions based on real-time conditions. The system dynamically evaluates whether to trigger roaming by assessing if all links are within coverage area, allowing flexible adaptation to changing network conditions.
2Reliability
If multiple links are monitored for roaming decisions, then connectivity disruption is reduced, but system complexity increases due to additional link management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the link management process into distinct functional components: individual link status monitoring, viability assessment, traffic flow analysis, and coordinated roaming decision-making. This segmentation allows complex multi-link management to be broken down into manageable tasks that can be processed systematically by the access point.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - monitoring signal strength across all links, assessing coverage status, evaluating traffic patterns, and coordinating roaming decisions. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single device that handles all aspects of multilink management through integrated processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an MLD AP that attempts to avoid roaming of STAs within its coverage area when one of the links of the STA is about fall out of the coverage area of the MLD AP. When the MLD STA moves in a way that puts one of its links on the verge of a coverage area, its servicing MLD AP attempts to reroute traffic to other in-range links of the STA if a TID-to-link mapping is in place that permits the rerouting. If no such TID-to-link mapping is present, then the MLD AP attempts to reassign traffic to one of the in-range links if one of the links has an acceptable quality of service and can handle the traffic on the out-of-range link. If these attempts fail, then the AP causes the MLD STA to roam to a nearby MLD AP.