Multi-Link WLAN Power Control for IDC-Constrained STR Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless local-area network (WLAN) systems with multi-link simultaneous transmit and receive (STR) transmission mode face high power consumption and in-device coexistence (IDC) interference issues, necessitating power control to optimize performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing power control methods for multi-link devices (MLDs) by setting minimum and maximum transmit powers for each link, adjusting local transmit power constraints based on frequency gaps and scheduled service periods, and using Target Wake Time (TWT) information frames to manage IDC interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multi-link simultaneous transmit and receive (STR) transmission mode is used, then productivity is improved through concurrent uplink and downlink communications, but use of energy increases and in-device coexistence interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcurrent transmission capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transmit power adjustment based on frequency gap conditions. When frequency gap is small (indicating potential IDC interference), the system dynamically reduces transmit power to minimize interference. When frequency gap is large, full power can be used for STR operations. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by enabling STR only when safe from interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transmit power parameter based on the frequency gap between links. By monitoring the frequency gap and adjusting power levels accordingly, the system can maintain high productivity through STR when conditions permit, while reducing power consumption and avoiding interference when frequency gaps are small.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multi-link simultaneous transmit and receive (STR) transmission mode is used, then productivity is improved, but in-device coexistence interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcurrent transmission capabilityVSAvoidin-device coexistence interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency gap measurement acts as an intermediary indicator that mediates between the desire for STR operations and the risk of IDC interference. By using this intermediary parameter, the system can make informed decisions about whether to proceed with STR, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by monitoring the frequency gap between links and using this information to adjust transmission parameters. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect potential IDC conditions and respond accordingly, enabling STR only when the frequency gap indicates safe operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If transmit power is reduced to minimize in-device coexistence interference, then harmful factors are reduced, but productivity decreases due to increased latency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvein-device coexistence interferenceVSAvoidtransmission throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic power adjustment rather than static power reduction. When frequency gap is small, power is reduced to minimize interference. When frequency gap is large, full power is used to maximize throughput. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by avoiding unnecessary power reduction that would harm productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transmit power parameter dynamically based on frequency gap conditions. This parameter change strategy allows the system to maintain high productivity when STR is safe from interference, while only reducing power when necessary to avoid IDC, thus resolving the contradiction between harmful factors and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260019959A1Systems, apparatuses, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage devices for multi-link operations in wireless local-area network

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A communication method comprises sending, from a multi-link device, a minimum transmit power and a maximum transmit power for each of at least a first and a second communication links; and before a start of a scheduled service period, receiving a local transmit power constraint for the scheduled service period (SP) for a corresponding communication link. If a frequency gap between the first and the second communication links is equal to or smaller than a threshold and if the scheduled service period overlaps with another scheduled service period for the other one of the first and second communication links, the local transmit power constraints for the first and second communication links are set to correspond to the respective minimum transmit powers. The method enables simultaneous uplink and downlink transmissions over in-device coexistence (IDC)-impacted links by adjusting the transmission power values for the scheduled SPs over the affected links.