Neighbor Report Element for AP MLD Discovery in WLAN

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current WLANs lack a mechanism for stations (STAs) to discover multi-link devices (MLDs) and face issues with data processing delays and packet loss due to higher data arrival rates exceeding internal processing speeds, especially in multi-band operations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a generalized multi-band flow control mechanism that allows delayed passing of packets and increased buffer sizes to accommodate processing delays, with parameters like PassStartB, TotalBufferSizeB, and PassEndB to manage packet transmission and reception across interfaces, and modifying the neighbor report element to enable discovery of AP MLDs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multi-band data aggregation is implemented to increase data throughput, then productivity is improved, but data processing delays increase because internal processing speeds cannot keep up with higher data arrival rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata throughputVSAvoiddata processing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by introducing flow control mechanisms that anticipate and prepare for processing delays. The system proactively manages packet transmission by pre-establishing buffer parameters (TotalBufferSizeB, PassStartB, PassEndB) and controlling data flow before processing bottlenecks occur, allowing the system to handle higher throughput while maintaining acceptable processing delays through advance coordination between transmission and processing functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If higher data rates are used to improve throughput, then productivity is improved, but packet loss increases due to processing delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata throughputVSAvoidpacket loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by implementing flow control mechanisms that continuously monitor and adjust data transmission based on processing capacity. The system uses feedback loops to regulate packet transmission rates, ensuring that data arrival rates do not exceed processing capabilities, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving high throughput through dynamic adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters including TotalBufferSizeB (total buffer size), PassStartB (start index for packet passing), and PassEndB (end index for packet passing) to optimize the balance between throughput and packet loss. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on processing capacity and data arrival rates, the system achieves high productivity while minimizing packet loss through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If buffer sizes are increased to accommodate higher data rates, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional buffer management parameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata throughputVSAvoidbuffer management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments buffer management into distinct, manageable components with clear boundaries: TotalBufferSizeB defines the total capacity, while PassStartB and PassEndB define the active processing window. This segmentation allows the complex buffer management task to be divided into simpler, more manageable operations, reducing the cognitive load and implementation complexity while maintaining high throughput capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If flow control mechanisms are added to manage processing delays, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket delivery reliabilityVSAvoidflow control mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements flow control mechanisms that serve multiple functions simultaneously: they manage processing delays, prevent packet loss, regulate throughput, and coordinate between transmission and processing functions. By designing a multi-functional flow control system, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized mechanisms, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11943701B2Neighbor report for an access point multi-link device

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 INTEL CORP

AI summary

An access point (AP) station (STA) (AP STA) that is part of an AP multi-link device (MLD) may be configured as a reporting AP may encode a BSS Transition Management (BTM) request frame for transmission to one or more associated non-AP stations (STAs). The BTM request frame may include a neighbor report element encoded to include information about one or more neighbor APs. The neighbor report element may indicate whether the one or more neighbor APs identified in the neighbor report element are part of an AP MLD and, when a neighbor AP is indicated to be part of an AP MLD whether the reporting AP is part of the indicated AP MLD. The AP STA may decode a reassociation frame from one of the non-AP STAs for transition from one of the AP STAs of the AP MLD to one of the neighbor APs.