Multi-Link TIM Frame Broadcast Interval Negotiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-band aggregation and coordination technologies in Wi-Fi communication lack a method for devices to effectively listen for Traffic Indication Map (TIM) frames across multiple links, as existing mechanisms are only applicable to single-link communication, necessitating enhanced negotiation processes for multi-link communication scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A communication method and apparatus that allow a station and access point to determine and negotiate TIM frame broadcast intervals across multiple links, enabling efficient communication by sending and receiving message frames that include TIM frame broadcast intervals, facilitating the negotiation of TIM frame listening intervals to manage changes in Basic Service Set (BSS) parameters across multiple frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing single-link TIM frame listening mechanisms are used for multi-link communication, then devices can detect BSS parameter changes on individual links, but devices cannot efficiently manage TIM frame listening across multiple links simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines TIM frame listening management across multiple links into a unified mechanism. The access point sends a single multi-link TIM frame that contains buffer status information for multiple links, and the station responds with a single multi-link buffer status report, replacing multiple separate single-link TIM frame exchanges. This merging reduces the number of negotiation steps and simplifies the overall process while maintaining multi-link capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal TIM frame structures that can operate across multiple links simultaneously. The multi-link TIM frame and multi-link buffer status report are designed to carry information for multiple links in a single message, making the mechanism universally applicable to multi-link scenarios while maintaining compatibility with existing single-link operations. This multi-functionality allows the same mechanism to serve both single-link and multi-link communication needs.
2Productivity
If multi-band aggregation and coordination is implemented to increase bandwidth and throughput, then communication rate can be significantly improved, but the lack of multi-link TIM frame listening mechanism reduces communication efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the access point proactively send multi-link TIM frames that pre-indicate buffer status across multiple links. This allows stations to advance-know about available data on different links and prepare for efficient data reception. The multi-link buffer status report mechanism also enables stations to pre-negotiate their buffer capabilities before actual data transmission, reducing runtime negotiation overhead and improving overall communication efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method, including: determining a first message frame in a first link among multi-links, the first message frame including first information on traffic indication map (TIM) frame broadcast intervals related to the multi-links and requested by a station, the multi-links referring to multi-links established between the station and an access point, associated with the station, supporting multi-link communication; and sending the first message frame.