Multi-Link Wi-Fi Acknowledgement Using Grouped Sequence Tracking

The patent segments the acknowledgement information by introducing group identification fields that divide data frames into groups with consecutive sequence numbers. Each group is independently tracked and acknowledged, allowing the receiver to precisely identify which groups have been received without requiring separate acknowledgments for every individual frame. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by improving reliability through accurate group-level tracking while avoiding the complexity of individual frame-level acknowledgment mechanisms.

The patent adds a new dimension to the acknowledgement system by introducing group identification fields alongside sequence numbers. This creates a two-dimensional acknowledgement structure where frames are identified by both their sequence number within a group and their group identifier. This dimensional expansion allows the system to track multi-link communication more effectively, improving reliability by distinguishing between frames from different links while maintaining manageable complexity through hierarchical organization.

The patent merges multiple individual frame acknowledgments into a single group-level acknowledgment. By combining frames with consecutive sequence numbers into groups and acknowledging them collectively, the system reduces the total number of acknowledgment transmissions required. This merging approach improves productivity by reducing retransmission overhead and time loss, as the receiver can confirm receipt of multiple frames through a single group acknowledgment rather than requiring separate acknowledgments for each frame.

The patent implements an optimized feedback mechanism where the receiver provides group-level acknowledgment information back to the transmitter. The feedback includes group identification fields that enable the transmitter to understand which groups of frames have been successfully received across multiple links. This feedback approach improves throughput by enabling more accurate retransmission decisions, reducing unnecessary retransmissions of already-received frames while maintaining reliable delivery.

The patent creates a universal group identification mechanism that works across multiple independent links. The group identification fields are designed to be link-agnostic, allowing the same acknowledgement structure to handle frames from different links uniformly. This universal approach maintains link independence for ease of operation while preventing information loss about sequence number continuity, as the group identifiers enable the receiver to recognize consecutive sequences regardless of which link they originated from.

The patent introduces group identification fields as an intermediary layer between the link-specific sequence numbers and the acknowledgement mechanism. This intermediary structure preserves the independence of individual link sequence number management while adding the capability to identify and track consecutive sequence number groups across links. The group identifiers act as mediators that bridge the gap between link-specific operations and multi-link coordination, maintaining ease of operation while preventing loss of continuity information.