Multi-Link Wi-Fi Channel Selection for STR Interference Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-link communication, interference between frequency channels used in parallel links can hinder Simultaneous Transmit and Receive (STR) operations, making it difficult to perform independent communication on each link.

Innovation Solution

A communication device with multiple interfaces determines frequency channels for each link based on obtained frequency separation information to enable STR operations, ensuring efficient channel selection and separation between links.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If frequency channels are separated to enable STR operations, then communication efficiency is improved, but the available frequency channels for each link are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidavailable frequency channels
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device determines the frequency channels to be used by the first interface before the second interface is activated. By pre-allocating frequency channels based on the first interface's requirements, the system ensures that sufficient frequency separation is maintained when the second interface is later added, enabling STR operations without reducing the available frequency channels for the first interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple communication interfaces are operated in parallel, then throughput is increased, but interference between interfaces occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidinterference between interfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system assigns different frequency channel characteristics to different communication interfaces. The first interface is allocated specific frequency channels, and the second interface is allocated different frequency channels that maintain sufficient separation from the first interface's channels. This local differentiation of frequency resources allows each interface to operate with optimal quality without causing harmful interference to the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If frequency channels are allocated dynamically, then frequency utilization efficiency is improved, but complexity of frequency management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency utilization efficiencyVSAvoidfrequency management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device performs preliminary determination of frequency channels for the first interface before the second interface is activated. This advance planning allows the system to reserve appropriate frequency separation in advance, simplifying the frequency management process when the second interface is later added. The preliminary allocation avoids the need for complex real-time frequency management and dynamic reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4712637A1Communication device, control method for same, and program
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 CANON KK
  • EP4712637A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4712637A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4712637A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A communication device is configured to include first and second interfaces (STA and AP functions) that are communication interfaces capable of being used for communication with mutually-different counterpart devices. The communication device obtains frequency separation information indicating frequency separation between links for enabling an STR operation of transmitting and receiving simultaneously on a plurality of links in a case of performing the multi-link communication. Further, in a case where the second interface is started after the first interface has been started, the communication device selects, based on the frequency separation information, frequency channels to be used on links of the second interface.