Wi-Fi Multi-Link Handover Reconfiguration for Data Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in maintaining data continuity during handover transitions between access point devices, as they require re-association and re-establishment of protocols, leading to connectivity disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for enabling seamless transitions between access point multi-link devices (AP MLDs) by transmitting and receiving first frames for link reconfiguration, optimizing the link reconfiguration protocol to maintain data continuity during handovers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If re-association and re-establishment of protocols are performed during handover, then the handover transition can be completed, but data continuity is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata continuityVSAvoidconnectivity loss duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs link reconfiguration and protocol re-establishment in advance during the handover process. The target AP MLD receives and processes reconfiguration frames before the actual handover occurs, preparing the data transmission paths and protocol contexts beforehand. This preliminary action ensures that when the handover is completed, data continuity is maintained without disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If link reconfiguration is optimized, then data continuity can be maintained during handover, but the complexity of the handover protocol increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata continuityVSAvoidhandover protocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the link reconfiguration process with the existing handover protocol. Instead of treating them as separate operations, the reconfiguration frames are integrated into the handover message exchange between AP MLDs. This combining approach maintains data continuity while avoiding the need for entirely separate complex protocols, as the reconfiguration information is carried within the existing handover frame structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4701268A1Handover method, and apparatus, device, medium and program product
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4701268A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4701268A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4701268A1 patent drawingFigure 7~12

AI summary

The present application belongs to the field of Wi-Fi. Disclosed are a handover method, and an apparatus, a device, a medium and a program product. The method is executed by a non-AP MLD, and comprises: sending and/or receiving at least one first frame, which is used for implementing a handover between two AP MLDs at different positions on the basis of link reconfiguration. In the method, by means of sending and/or receiving at least one first frame, which is used for implementing a handover between two AP MLDs at different positions on the basis of link reconfiguration, a link reconfiguration protocol between the two AP MLDs at different positions is optimized, and the handover of the non-AP MLD between the two AP MLDs during a communication process is implemented.