Wi-Fi Multi-Link Power Save Signaling Across Affiliated STAs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management methods for multi-link devices require individual frame exchanges to transition each associated station into a power save mode, leading to poor signaling efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for transmitting a single frame across multiple links to indicate a power management mode for affiliated stations, reducing the need for individual frame exchanges and improving signaling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual frame exchanges are initiated on a per-link basis to instruct associated stations to enter power save mode, then power management mode can be specified for each link, but signaling efficiency deteriorates due to multiple separate frame exchanges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower management mode specificationVSAvoidsignaling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple per-link power management frame exchanges into a single multi-link power management frame. This frame includes a multi-link element that can indicate power management modes for multiple affiliated stations across different links simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate frame exchanges on each link and thereby improving signaling efficiency while maintaining reliable power management control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate frame exchanges are used to manage power modes for affiliated stations on different links, then individual station control is achieved, but the number of frame exchanges increases reducing overall efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual station controlVSAvoidnumber of frame exchanges
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual station control operations into a single multi-link power management frame. The frame structure includes a multi-link element with power management mode indication information that can simultaneously control multiple affiliated stations across different links, reducing the number of frame exchanges from N (where N is the number of links) to just one frame exchange while preserving individual station adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-link power management frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it can indicate power management modes for multiple affiliated stations, support both active and power save modes, and operate across multiple links. This universal frame structure eliminates the need for separate specialized frames for each link and station combination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4694384A1Power consumption management method, apparatus, device, medium, and program product
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4694384A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4694384A1 patent drawingFigure 2~7
  • EP4694384A1 patent drawingFigure 8~12

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a method for power management and apparatus, and a device, a medium, and a program product thereof, belonging to a Wi-Fi field. The method is performed by a first multi-link device (MLD) which has established and/or enabled one link or a plurality of links with a second MLD. The plurality of links include a first link and a second link. The method includes transmitting a first frame on the first link, wherein the first frame is configured to indicate a first power management mode for an affiliated station (STA) corresponding to at least one of the second link or the first link. The second link is different from the first link in the plurality of links. This method enables cross-link indication of the first power management mode for one or more affiliated STAs, or multi-link indication of the first power management mode for a plurality of STAs, reducing the number of frame exchanges, and thus improving indication efficiency.