Multi-Link WLAN Primary/Nonprimary Link Setup for NSTR APs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in efficiently setting up and operating NonSimultaneous Transmit and Receive (NSTR) mobile Access Point (AP) Multi-Link Devices (MLDs, particularly in discovering these devices, establishing multi-link setups, and managing Traffic IDentifier (TID)-to-link mappings.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Primary Link and Nonprimary Link (PLNPL) mode for NSTR mobile AP MLDs, utilizing enhanced frame structures and protocols to facilitate multi-link setup and operation, including the use of PLNPL Capabilities subfields and TID-to-Link mapping negotiation procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an NSTR mobile AP MLD designates one link as primary link to transmit Beacon and Probe Response frames, then the complexity of multi-link setup is reduced, but the network capacity and transmission efficiency are limited due to restricted simultaneous transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the link pair into primary and nonprimary links with distinct functional roles. The primary link handles control plane operations (Beacon, Probe Response) while the nonprimary link focuses on data plane operations. This segmentation allows simplified setup procedures on the primary link while enabling parallel data transmissions on both links, thus resolving the contradiction between reduced complexity and maintained productivity.
2Device complexity
If Beacon and Probe Response frames are transmitted only on the primary link, then the device complexity is reduced, but the information exchange efficiency and network setup speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing the primary link first to exchange control information (Beacon, Probe Response frames) before activating the nonprimary link for data transmission. This preliminary setup on the primary link prepares the necessary configuration and capabilities information, enabling faster subsequent data transmission on both links without maintaining continuous complexity in frame transmission management.
3Device complexity
If the nonprimary link is used for data transmission only after primary link transmission, then the device complexity is reduced, but the transmission speed and network responsiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic link operation where the nonprimary link transitions from an inactive state to an active data transmission state based on capability negotiation and configuration exchange that occurs on the primary link. Once the nonprimary link is activated through this dynamic process, both links can operate simultaneously for data transmission, achieving high speed while maintaining manageable operational complexity through clear state transitions and protocol control.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a wireless communication method, applied in a first Access Point (AP) affiliated with an AP Multi-Link Device (MLD). The method includes: transmitting a first frame to a first STAtion (STA) affiliated with a non-AP MLD, the first frame indicating that the AP MLD supports a Primary Link and NonPrimary Link (PLNPL) mode, in which at least two links belonging to the AP MLD includes a primary link and a nonprimary link, and the first frame further indicating a first link and a second link of the at least two links as the primary link and the nonprimary link, respectively.