Single Radio Multi-Link Device Link Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-link operation systems with single radio multi-link devices (MLDs) or non-simultaneous transmit and receive (NSTR) access points (APs) face inefficiencies when primary links are busy, as they cannot utilize non-primary links for data exchanges despite their idle status, leading to suboptimal resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where MLDs announce a set of links including a primary and non-primary link, allowing the device to switch to the non-primary link when the primary link is busy and switch back when the primary link's transmit opportunity ends, enabling continuous frame exchanges across both links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single radio MLD or NSTR AP MLD uses only the primary link for frame exchanges, then medium synchronization operations are simplified, but resource utilization deteriorates when the primary link is busy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic link selection by allowing the single radio MLD or NSTR AP MLD to switch between primary and non-primary links based on the busy/idle status of the primary link. This dynamic behavior enables the system to adapt to changing channel conditions, utilizing non-primary links when the primary link is occupied, thereby improving resource utilization while maintaining simplified medium synchronization procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the active link by announcing a set of links including primary and non-primary links to peer MLDs. The single radio MLD or NSTR AP MLD monitors the primary link status and switches to non-primary links when needed, effectively changing the operational state from static primary-link-only to dynamic multi-link selection, improving productivity without increasing synchronization complexity
2Productivity
If the system switches to non-primary links when primary link is busy, then resource utilization improves, but device complexity increases due to link switching operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the single radio MLD or NSTR AP MLD pre-announce a set of links including both primary and non-primary links to peer MLDs before actual data transmission begins. This advance notification allows peer MLDs to prepare for potential link switching, reducing the complexity of link switching operations during active transmission while improving resource utilization
3Reliability
If medium synchronization operations are performed frequently when switching between links, then link switching reliability improves, but loss of time increases due to synchronization overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by performing medium synchronization operations only when necessary - specifically, when the single radio MLD or NSTR AP MLD switches from the primary link to a non-primary link. Instead of performing synchronization at every link transition, the system performs it selectively based on the announced link set and actual switching needs, improving reliability while minimizing time loss through reduced synchronization overhead
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of exchanging frames between a first multi-link device (MLD) and a second MLD, including: announcing, by the first MLD, a set of links with the second MLD, wherein the set of links includes a primary link and a non-primary link and wherein a single full function radio in the first MLD switches between the primary link and the non-primary link; switching, by the first MLD and second MLD, to the non-primary link when the primary link is busy; exchanging frames between the first MLD and the second MLD; and switching back to the primary link, by the first MLD and the second MLD, when a transmit opportunity (TXOP) of the primary link ends.