NSTR SoftAP Multi-Link Profile Signaling to Limit Cross-Link Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless stations (STAs) with limited filtering capabilities experience cross-link interference when transmitting and receiving data on multiple communication links, inhibiting simultaneous data transmission and reception, particularly in non-simultaneous transmit-receive (NSTR) soft access point (AP) multi-link devices (MLDs).
Innovation Solution
A non-simultaneous transmit-receive (NSTR) soft access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) advertises complete profiles of primary and non-primary links on only the primary link, allowing devices to discover and associate without scanning, and transmits updates to BSS parameters on the primary link, reducing cross-link interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If STAs operate as NSTR softAP MLD with multiple links, then data transmission and reception can occur on multiple communication links, but cross-link interference occurs due to limited filtering capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complete profile information of non-primary links and transmits it on the primary link only. This separates the interference problem from the data transmission function by removing complete link profiles from non-primary links, thereby preventing legacy devices from causing cross-link interference while maintaining multi-link data transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different links: the primary link carries complete profiles for both primary and non-primary links, while non-primary links carry only their own partial profiles. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain high productivity through multi-link operation while managing interference by limiting legacy device access to specific links
2Ease of operation
If complete profiles of non-primary links are transmitted on non-primary links, then devices can discover and associate with the NSTR softAP MLD on those links, but legacy devices can cause interference on those links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complete profile information from non-primary links and relocates it to the primary link for transmission. This removes the harmful factor (complete profiles that enable legacy device association) from non-primary links while preserving the beneficial function (device discovery) through alternative means
Solution Approach 2:
The primary link acts as an intermediary that carries complete profile information for non-primary links. This mediator allows devices to discover and associate with NSTR softAP MLD on non-primary links without enabling legacy devices to cause interference, as the complete profiles are only transmitted on the primary link where legacy devices cannot cause harmful interference
3Productivity
If STAs transmit and receive data simultaneously on multiple links, then data transmission throughput increases, but filtering capabilities are insufficient to prevent interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the link profiles into two types: complete profiles transmitted on the primary link, and partial profiles on non-primary links. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high throughput through multi-link operation while improving reliability by preventing legacy devices from causing interference through incomplete profile information on non-primary links
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless station (STA) operating as a non-simultaneous transmit-receive (NSTR) soft access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) is associated with a primary link and a non-primary link. The NSTR softAP MLD transmits, on only the primary link, a frame including a complete profile of the primary link and indicating a complete profile of the non-primary link. The respective complete profiles of the primary link and the non-primary link each include capabilities, operation parameters, and other discovery information. The frame can include fields and elements that carry the complete profile of the primary link, and can include a multi-link (ML) element that indicates the complete profile of the non-primary link. The NSTR softAP MLD can receive or determine an update to the operation parameters of the non-primary link, and can transmit, on the primary link, an indication of the update to the operation parameters of the non-primary link.