WLAN Multi-Link Status Indication for Dynamic Link Availability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coordinating the activation and deactivation of multiple wireless links in wireless local area networks (WLANs) to balance throughput, latency, and power consumption is challenging for mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
Wireless devices determine and transmit link availability and status information through multiple wireless links, using management frames or A-Control subfields to dynamically manage link usage and inform other devices, allowing for dynamic activation and deactivation of links based on factors like power consumption, load balancing, and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple wireless links are activated to increase throughput and reduce latency, then network performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic link activation and deactivation mechanisms where wireless devices can selectively activate or deactivate specific links based on real-time network conditions, power availability, and performance requirements. This allows the system to adapt the number of active links from maximum to minimum as needed, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high throughput and reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting which links are active based on varying conditions such as power availability, network load, and quality of service requirements. This parameter adjustment enables the system to optimize the balance between throughput performance and energy consumption dynamically.
2Reliability
If link availability information is transmitted on every link to ensure accurate status indication, then network coordination is improved, but transmission overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges link status information from multiple links into a single consolidated indication transmitted on one link. Instead of having each link independently transmit its own availability information, the system combines this information and transmits it once, reducing redundant transmissions while maintaining accurate status indication for all links.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary mechanism where link status information is collected and transmitted through a designated channel or management frame structure, rather than requiring direct point-to-point communication on every link. This intermediary approach reduces overhead while ensuring all links receive accurate status information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If devices continuously monitor link availability to dynamically manage connections, then network adaptability is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous real-time monitoring, the patent implements periodic status indication transmissions where link availability information is updated and transmitted at scheduled intervals. This periodic approach maintains network adaptability by keeping devices informed of link status changes while significantly reducing processing complexity compared to continuous monitoring and dynamic reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to methods for conducting multilink communications between wireless devices over a wireless local area network (WLAN). A wireless device determines link availability for multiple wireless links of the wireless device. The wireless device transmits link availability information for the multiple wireless links of the wireless device using a first wireless link of the wireless device.