DE102020134745A1 - PROBING FOR MULTIPLE LINK DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus related to probing a multiple link device (MLD). A device can discover a multi-link device (MLD) that is connected to an access point (AP) in a multi-AP group. The device can identify a request frame received from a station device, the request frame having an indication that information is to be provided which is associated with at least a part of the multiple AP group.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 978,439 , submitted on February 19, 2020.

TECHNICAL AREA

This disclosure relates generally to wireless communication systems and methods, e.g., a probe for a multiple connection device (MLD) for extremely high throughput wireless communication (EHT) that allows communication over a wireless local area network (WLAN) according to a or several protocols of the IEEE 802.11 standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

BACKGROUND

Wireless devices are widespread and increasingly requesting access to wireless channels. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is developing one or more standards that use orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) in channel allocation.

Figure list

• 1 ist ein Netzwerkdiagramm, das eine beispielhafte Netzwerkumgebung für die Suche nach einem Mehrfach-Verbindung-Gerät (MLD) in der Drahtlos-EHT-Kommunikation gemäß einer oder mehreren beispielhaften Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Offenbarung zeigt.
• 2 veranschaulicht ein Funktionsdiagramm einer beispielhaften Kommunikationsstation, die gemäß einer oder mehreren Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Offenbarung zur Verwendung als Benutzergerät geeignet sein kann.
• 3 zeigt ein Blockdiagramm einer Beispielmaschine, auf der eine oder mehrere Techniken (z.B. Verfahren) gemäß einer oder mehreren Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Offenbarung ausgeführt werden können.
• 4 ist ein Blockdiagramm einer Funkarchitektur gemäß einigen Beispielen.
• 5 zeigt eine Beispielschaltung eines Front-End-Moduls zur Verwendung in der Funkarchitektur von 4 gemäß einer oder mehreren Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 6 zeigt eine beispielhafte Funk-IC-Schaltung zur Verwendung in der Funkarchitektur von 4, gemäß einer oder mehreren Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 7 zeigt ein Beispiel für eine Basisbandverarbeitungsschaltung zur Verwendung in der Funkarchitektur von 4 gemäß einer oder mehreren Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 8A-8B sind Netzwerkdiagramme, die detailliertere Beispiele einer Netzwerkumgebung zum Sondieren von Mehrfach-Verbindung-Geräten in einem Mehrfach-Verbindung-Framework für Drahtlos-EHT-Kommunikation gemäß einer oder mehreren Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Offenbarung zeigen.
• 9-12 zeigen illustrative schematische Diagramme für das Sondieren für MLD, gemäß einer oder mehreren Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 9 zeigt ein Flussdiagramm eines illustrativen Prozesses für ein illustratives Sondierungssystem für MLD, gemäß einer oder mehreren Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Offenbarung.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are explained below on the basis of various embodiments with reference to the following drawings. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Identical or similar components are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

• 1 FIG. 3 is a network diagram depicting an example network environment for searching for a multiple connection device (MLD) in wireless EHT communication, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.
• 2 FIG. 10 illustrates a functional diagram of an exemplary communication station that may be suitable for use as a user device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
• 3 FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of an example machine on which one or more techniques (eg, methods) may be performed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
• 4th Figure 3 is a block diagram of a radio architecture according to some examples.
• 5 FIG. 11 shows an example circuit of a front-end module for use in the radio architecture of FIG 4th according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
• 6th FIG. 13 shows an exemplary radio integrated circuit for use in the radio architecture of FIG 4th , according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
• 7th FIG. 11 shows an example of a baseband processing circuit for use in the radio architecture of FIG 4th according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
• 8A-8B 13 are network diagrams showing more detailed examples of a network environment for probing multi-link devices in a multi-link framework for wireless EHT communication in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
• 9-12 9 shows illustrative schematic diagrams for probing for MLD, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
• 9 10 shows a flow diagram of an illustrative process for an illustrative probing system for MLD, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and drawings sufficiently illustrate certain embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may include structural, logical, electrical, procedural, algorithmic, and other changes. Parts and features of some embodiments may be the same as or substituted for those of other embodiments. Embodiments recited in the claims include all available equivalents of those claims.

The IEEE 802.11 standard describes communication protocols that facilitate wireless communication between wireless communication stations. It has a number of Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) protocols to implement WLAN (e.g., Wi-Fi) communications in various frequency bands, including, but not limited to, the 2.4 GHz frequency bands, 5 GHz, 6 GHz and 60 GHz. To further improve the throughput in order to achieve an extremely high throughput, another Coordination of communication in the various frequency bands provided. One such coordination is the creation of multiple connection logical entities. In order to provide a more efficient multi-link system for extremely high throughput wireless communication, the present disclosure describes one way of minimizing communication overhead between multiple-link logical entities in order to minimize the time between associations. The present disclosure provides a type of discovery that enables all access points that are part of the same multiple connection logical entity to be discovered without probing and scanning all of the access points.

8A and 8B 13 are network diagrams showing more detailed examples of a network environment for reduced neighborhood reporting for a multi-link framework in wireless EHT communication according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In general, there are two logical multiple-link entities on each side (e.g. uplink / downlink or transmitter / receiver) of a communication link, each of which has multiple stations (STAs) that can establish one or more links to establish the communication link form. The detailed definition is shown below.

A multilink logical unit (MLE) is a logical unit that contains one or more STAs. The logical unit has a MAC data service interface and primitives for the LLC and a single address assigned to the interface that can be used for communication on the DSM.

For example, based on 8A , has a first multiple-connection logical unit 810 a first STA 815a (e.g. STA1.1), a second STA 815b (e.g. STA1.2) and a third STA 815c (e.g., STA1.3) and a second logical multiple connection unit 820 assigns a first STA 825a (e.g. STA2.1), a second STA 825b (e.g. STA2.2) and a third STA 825c (e.g. STA2.3). Every STA 815 the first logical multiple connection unit 810 and each corresponding STA 825 the second logical multiple connection unit 820 can make a corresponding connection 830 form with each other. For example, the first STA 815a the first logical multiple connection unit 810 and the first STA 825a the second logical multiple connection unit 820 a connection 830a form with each other.

A logical multiple link unit allows STAs within the logical multiple link unit to have the same MAC address. The name of the logical multiple connection unit can be changed.

For the infrastructure framework, there is a logical multiple connection AP entity that has AP StAs on one side of a communication link and a logical multiple connection non-AP entity, the non-AP StAs on the other Has side of the communication link. The detailed definition is shown below.

A multi-link AP device (AP MLD) is a logical multi-link unit in which each STA within the logical multi-link unit is an EHT-AP.

A multi-link non-AP device (Non-AP MLD) is a logical multi-link unit in which each STA within the logical multi-link unit is a non-AP EHT STA.

For example, based on 8B , has a logical multiple connection AP unit 840 a first EHT-AP-STA 845a (e.g. AP1, which works on 2.4 GHz), a second EHT-AP-STA 845b (e.g. AP2, which works on 5 GHz) and a third EHT-AP-STA 845c (e.g., AP3 operating at 6 GHz) and a logical multiple connection non-AP unit 850 assigns a first non-AP STA 855a (e.g. non-AP-STA1), a second non-AP-STA 855b (e.g. non-AP-STA2) and a third non-AP-STA 855c (e.g. non-AP-STA3). Every AP STA 845 the logical multiple connection AP entity 840 and any corresponding non-AP STA 855 the multiple connection logical non-AP entity 850 can make a corresponding connection 860 form with each other. For example, the first AP can STA 845a the multiple link logical AP unit 840 and the first non-AP STA 855a the multiple link logical non-AP entity 850 a connection 860a form with each other.

This framework is a natural extension of the one-link operation between two STAs that are under the AP and non-AP STA infrastructure framework. In the present disclosure, opportunities are provided for a non-AP STA to discover an AP-MLD. Since the AP MLD consists of several APs that operate on different frequency bands, each AP of the AP MLD sends a beacon frame that includes: a description of its capabilities, operational elements, etc., ...; and a basic description of the other APs of the same MLD that are collocated, which may be included in a report in a Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) item. In some cases, the description of the other APs could be complete and have all the capabilities and controls of the other APs.

For example, an AP MLD can be a single wireless router device that has multiple physically collocated access points to support communication links in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands. The present disclosure provides for the discovery of all APs that are part of the same MLD to reduce communication overhead and improve connection association / setup times.

Discovery in a multi-link framework is generally facilitated by beacons and probe responses sent by an AP of an MLD. According to the vast majority of cases, the description of the other APs of the same MLD in the beacon of an AP belonging to an MLD will be quite brief and since a non-AP MLD will likely want to get the full information about all APs of the AP MLD before associating / establishing a multi-link connection with the AP-MLD, the non-AP-STAs of the non-AP-MLD would have to scan (send a probe request) each channel of each of the APs of the AP-MLD to get the complete information.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems, methods, and devices for probing for multi-link devices (MLD).

In one embodiment, a probing system for MLD may enable a non-AP STA solution to a non-AP MLD to request that an AP from an AP MLD provide the full information (capabilities, operational elements, ...) of all or some of the other APs of the AP-MLD.

In one or more embodiments, a probing system for MLD may define the request by adding a new element or by modifying an element in the probe requirements framework to specify that the request is to include information about the AP MLD and the rest of the APs of the AP MLD to collect.

Alternatively, a sounding system for MLD can also define a new framework specifically for such a sounding (MLD probe request).

The above descriptions are illustrative and not intended to be limiting. Numerous other examples, configurations, processes, algorithms, etc., may exist, some of which are described in more detail below. Exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

1 FIG. 12 is a network diagram illustrating an example network environment of probing for MLD in wireless EHT communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The wireless network 100 can be one or more user devices 120 and one or more access points (AP) 102 that can communicate in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 communication standards. The user device (s) 120 can be mobile devices that are not stationary (e.g. have no fixed locations), or they can be stationary devices.

In some embodiments, the user devices 120 and the AP 102 include one or more computer systems similar to those of the functional diagram of FIG 2 and / or the example machine / system of 3 resemble.

One or more illustrative user devices 120 and / or AP (s) 102 can be used by one or more users 110 be operable. It should be noted that each addressable unit can be a station (STA). An STA can assume several different properties, each of which shapes its function. For example, a single addressable entity can simultaneously be a portable STA, a quality of service (QoS) STA, a dependent STA, and a hidden STA. The one or more illustrative user devices 120 and the AP (s) 102 can be STAs. The one or more illustrative user devices 120 and / or the AP (s) 102 can work as a personal PBSS control unit / access point (PCP / AP). The user device (s) 120 (e.g. 124 , 126 or 128 ) and / or AP (s) 102 may include any suitable processor controlled device including, but not limited to, a mobile device or a non-mobile, e.g., stationary, device. For example, the user device (s) 120 and / or the AP (s) 102 a user device (UE), a station (STA), an access point (AP), a software-enabled AP (SoftAP), a personal computer (PC), a portable wireless device (e.g. bracelet, watch, glasses, ring, etc.) , a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, an UltrabookTM computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, an Internet-of- Things (IoT) device, a sensor device, a PDA device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device (e.g., a hybrid device (e.g. a Combination of mobile phone functionalities with PDA device functionalities), a consumer device, a vehicle device, a non-vehicle device, a mobile or portable device, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a mobile phone, a mobile phone, a PCS device, a PDA device containing a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable GPS device, a DVB device, a relatively small computing device, a non-desktop computer, a "carry small live large" device (CSLL), an ultra-mobile device (UMD), an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), a mobile internet device (MID), a " Origami ”device or computing device, a device that supports dynamically composable computing (DCC), a contextual device, a video device, an audio device, an A / V device, a set-top box (STB), a Blu-Ray Disc (BD) player, a BD recorder, a digital video disc (DVD) player, a high definition (HD) DVD player, a DVD recorder, an HD DVD recorder, a Personal Video Recorder (PVR), a broadcast HD receiver, a video source, an audio source, a video sink, an audio sink, a stereo tuner, a radio receiver, a flat screen screen, a personal media player (PMP), a digital video camera (DVC), a digital audio player, a loudspeaker, an audio receiver, an audio amplifier, a gaming device, a data source, a data sink, a digital photo camera (DSC), a media player Smartphone, a television, a music player or something similar. Other devices, including smart devices such as lights, air conditioners, car components, household components, appliances, etc., may also be included in this list.

As used herein, the term "Internet of Things (IoT) device" is used to refer to any object (e.g., a device, sensor, etc.) that has an addressable interface (e.g., an Internet Protocol (IP)) Address, Bluetooth identifier (ID), near field communication (NFC) ID, etc.) and information to one or more other devices over a wired or wireless connection. An IoT device can have a passive communication interface, such as a Quick Response (QR) code, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, an NFC tag or the like, or an active communication interface, such as a modem, a transceiver, a transceiver, etc. An IoT device can have a certain set of attributes (e.g. a device state or status, e.g. whether the IoT device is switched on or off, open or closed, in Idle or active, available to perform tasks or busy, etc., a cooling or heating function, an environmental monitoring or recording function, a light emitting function, a sound emitting function, etc.) that is incorporated into a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an ASIC or the like can be embedded and / or controlled / monitored by this and are set up for connection to an IoT network, such as a local ad hoc network or the Internet rnet. IoT devices can include, for example, refrigerators, toasters, ovens, microwaves, freezers, dishwashers, dishes, hand tools, washing machines, tumble dryers, ovens, air conditioning systems, thermostats, televisions, lights, vacuum cleaners, sprinkler systems, electricity meters, gas meters, etc., provided the devices are equipped with an addressable communication interface for communication with the IoT network. IoT devices can also include cell phones, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc. Accordingly, the IoT network can have a combination of "older" devices with internet access (e.g. laptop or desktop computers, cell phones, etc.) in addition to devices that typically do not have an internet connection (e.g. dishwashers, etc.).

The user device (s) 120 and / or AP (s) 102 can also have mesh stations, for example in a mesh network according to one or more IEEE 802.11 standards and / or 3GPP standards.

Any of the user devices 120 (e.g. the user devices 124 , 126 , 128 ) and AP (s) 102 can be established over one or more communication networks 130 and or 135 communicate with each other wirelessly or wired. The user device (s) 120 can also communicate peer-to-peer or directly with or without the AP (s) 102 . Any of the communication networks 130 and or 135 may include, but is not limited to, any combination of different types of suitable communication networks, such as broadcast networks, cable networks, public networks (e.g. the Internet), private networks, wireless networks, cellular networks, or other suitable private and / or public networks . In addition, each of the communication networks 130 and or 135 have any suitable communications area associated therewith and may include, for example, global networks (e.g., the Internet), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), or personal area networks (PANs). In addition, each of the communication networks 130 and or 135 comprise any type of medium over which network traffic can be transmitted including, but not limited to, coaxial cable, twisted pair cables, optical fibers, a hybrid fiber coaxial medium (HFC), microwave terrestrial transceivers, radio frequency communications media, white space Communication media, ultra high frequency communication media, satellite communication media, or any combination thereof.

Any of the user devices 120 (e.g. the user devices 124 , 126 , 128 ) and AP (s) 102 can have one or more communication antennas. The one or more communication antennas can be any suitable type of antenna that is compatible with the communication antennas used by the user device (s). 120 (e.g. the user devices 124 , 126 and 128 ) and the AP (s) 102 communication protocols used. Some non-limiting examples of suitable communication antennas include Wi-Fi antennas, IEEE 802.11 family of standards-compliant antennas, directional antennas, omnidirectional antennas, dipole antennas, folded dipole antennas, patch antennas, MIMO antennas (multiple-input multiple-output), omnidirectional antennas, Quasi-omnidirectional antennas or the like. The one or more communication antennas can be communicatively coupled to a radio component in order to transmit and / or receive signals, such as e.g. B. Communication signals to and / or from the user devices 120 and / or AP (s) 102 .

Any of the user devices 120 (e.g. the user devices 124 , 126 , 128 ) and AP (s) 102 can be set up to carry out a directed transmission and / or a directed reception in connection with the wireless communication in a wireless network. Any of the user devices 120 (e.g. the user devices 124 , 126 , 128 ) and AP (s) 102 may be configured to perform such a directional transmission and / or such a directional reception using a set of multiple antenna arrays (eg, DMG antenna arrays or the like). Each of the plurality of antenna arrays can be used for transmission and / or reception in a specific respective direction or a specific range of directions. Each of the user device (s) 120 (e.g. user devices 124 , 126 , 128 ) and AP (s) 102 can be set up to carry out any directional transmission in the direction of one or more defined transmission sectors. Any of the user devices 120 (e.g. user devices 124 , 126 , 128 ) and AP (s) 102 can be set up to carry out any directional reception from one or more defined reception sectors.

MIMO beamforming in a wireless network can be done with RF beamforming and / or digital beamforming. In some embodiments, user devices 120 and / or AP (s) 102 be set up when performing a particular MIMO transmission that they use all or a subset of their one or more communication antennas to perform MIMO beamforming.

Any of the user devices 120 (e.g. user devices 124 , 126 , 128 ) and AP (s) 102 may include any suitable radio and / or transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving radio frequency (RF) signals in the bandwidth and / or channels that conform to the communication protocols used by each of the user equipment 120 and AP (s) 102 used to communicate with each other. The radio components can have hardware and / or software in order to modulate and / or demodulate communication signals in accordance with predetermined transmission protocols. The radio components can also have hardware and / or software instructions to communicate via one or more Wi-Fi and / or Wi-Fi direct protocols, as defined by the IEEE standard (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 are standardized. In certain embodiments, the radio component can be set up in cooperation with the communication antennas to transmit via 2.4 GHz channels (eg 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ax), 5 GHz channels (eg 802.11n, 802.1 1ac , 802.11ax) or 60 GHz channels (e.g. 802.11ad, 802.11ay). 800 MHz channels (e.g. 802.11ah). The communication antennas can operate at 28 GHz and 40 GHz. It should be understood that this list of communication channels according to certain 802.11 standards is only a partial list and that other 802.11 standards can be used (e.g., next generation Wi-Fi or other standards). According to some embodiments, non-Wi-Fi protocols can also be used for communication between devices, such as Bluetooth, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) (e.g. IEEE 802.11af, IEEE 802.22), White band frequencies (e.g. white spaces) or other packetized radio links. The radio component can have any known receiver and any baseband that is suitable for communication via the communication protocols. The radio component can furthermore have a low-noise amplifier (LNA), additional signal amplifiers, an analog-to-digital converter (A / D), one or more buffers and a digital baseband.

In one embodiment and with reference to FIG 1 can the AP 102 the search for MLD 142 with one or more user devices 120 facilitate.

It is to be understood that the above descriptions are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive.

With reference to the 8A-8B is a multi-link framework for an ad hoc connection in 8A and for an AP-to-non-AP infrastructure connection in 8B shown.

In one or more embodiments, a sounding system for MLD may be a solution for a non-AP-STA to enable a non-AP-MLD to request an AP from an AP-MLD to provide the complete information (capabilities, operational elements, ...) of all or some of the other APs of the AP-MLD to be provided.

In one or more embodiments, a probing system for MLD may define the request by adding a new element or by modifying an element in the probe requirements framework to specify that the request is to include information about the AP MLD and the rest of the APs of the AP MLD to collect.

Alternatively, an exploratory system for MLD can also define a new framework specifically for such an exploration (MLD exploratory requirement). In one or more embodiments, a probing system for MLD may provide two modes of probing request, namely a standard mode and a targeted mode. The probe request can be parameterized to be in standard mode, which would request full information for all APs of the AP MLD. Even in standard mode, the answer can be limited. For example, in the present disclosure a way is provided for the AP MLD to respond with only a subset of APs. For example, the AP MLD can be set up to provide the complete information, e.g. only the collocated APs, only the APs that the AP MLD estimates to be within range of the non-AP STA, or only the APs that operate in frequency bands supported by the non-AP STA (indicated by the supported operational classes of the non-AP STA).

The probe request can be parameterized so that it is in a targeted mode that requests complete information for only a subset of the APs of the AP MLD. The request can include the list of APs (identified by the BSSIDs, or linkID: which was provided to the non-AP STA in an RNR received from this AP in a previous beacon frame).

• - den AP durch die SSID, oder kurze SSID, oder BSSID des APs, der antworten wird, identifizieren. Gemäß den Probe Request/Response-Regeln eines oder mehrerer IEEE 802.11-Standards kann die Identifizierung das Setzen des SSID-Feldes der Probe Request auf die SSID des APs, das Setzen des BSSID-Feldes der Probe Request auf die BSSID des APs und
• - Identifizierung, dass es sich um eine Anfrage für MLD und nicht nur für den AP handelt, durch Verwendung eines Bits in einer Probe-Anfrage, z.B. ein Bit-Feld „MLD-Anfrage“, das für eine MLD-Anfrage auf 1 und für eine einfache AP-Anfrage auf 0 gesetzt ist (kann in einem bestehenden Element sein, z.B. im Element „Short SSID List“ oder an einer anderen Stelle in der Probe-Anfrage), oder durch Hinzufügen eines Elements „MLD-Anfrage-Element“, das andere Informationen für die MLD-Anfrage trägt. Das einfache Vorhandensein des MLD-Request-Elements identifiziert die Anfrage als MLD-Request. Der Inhalt des MLD-Anforderungselements kann die Anforderung weiter spezifizieren.

The probe request can identify the MLD and indicate that the request applies to the MLD and not just to the AP. For example, the probe request can identify the MLD by:

• - Identify the AP by the SSID, or short SSID, or BSSID of the AP that will respond. According to the probe request / response rules of one or more IEEE 802.11 standards, the identification can include setting the SSID field of the probe request to the SSID of the AP, setting the BSSID field of the probe request to the BSSID of the AP and
• - Identification that this is a request for MLD and not just for the AP, by using a bit in a sample request, eg a bit field "MLD request", which for an MLD request to 1 and for a simple AP request is set to 0 (can be in an existing element, e.g. in the "Short SSID List" element or at another position in the sample request), or by adding an element "MLD request element", that carries other information for the MLD request. The simple presence of the MLD request element identifies the request as an MLD request. The content of the MLD requirement element can further specify the requirement.

Alternatively, the request can identify the MLD by a specific MLD identifier, provided that such an identifier is provided.

In one or more embodiments, a probing system for MLD may provide that the AP that is part of an AP MLD and that receives this probing request with the MLD request option respond to the request according to the rules to respond to a probing request that the are very similar to that already defined in the IEEE 802.11 specification for regular probing by sending a probing response containing elements describing the other APs of the AP MLD (the requested ones).

Alternatively, a new frame can also be defined (MLD probe response frame). The complete information for other APs in the same MLD can be provided by simply designating a new multi-link element.

1. 1) einen gemeinsamen Teil, der die für die MLD spezifischen Parameter beschreibt und
2. 2) einen oder mehrere pro-AP-Teil(e) (einen pro AP des AP MLD, der gemeldet wird), die jeweils die vollständigen Informationen (Fähigkeiten, Bedienelemente, ...) für den gemeldeten AP enthalten. Vollständige Informationen bedeutet die gleichen Informationen, die in einer regulären Probe-Antwort, die vom gemeldeten AP gesendet wird, enthalten wären. Nur die Zeitstempel-Information kann vermieden werden, es sei denn, die Spezifikation legt fest, dass sie ebenfalls enthalten sein soll.

The new multi-link element can contain:

1. 1) a common part that describes the parameters specific to the MLD and
2. 2) one or more per-AP part (s) (one per AP of the AP MLD that is reported), each of which contains the complete information (capabilities, operating elements, ...) for the reported AP. Complete information means the same information that would be included in a regular sample response sent by the reported AP. Only the timestamp information can be avoided unless the specification specifies that it should also be included.

Alternatively, the new multi-link element can contain several multi-band elements (one for each AP), which in the complete information in the sub-elements have the.

Alternatively, the new multi-link element can contain several neighborhood report elements (one for each AP), which in the complete information in the sub-elements have the.

The request can also request limited information (instead of the full information) by using a list of the IDs of the items that the non-AP StA is looking for and having it in the request item in the sample request frame.

Accordingly, it is provided in the present disclosure that a non-AP STA does not need to scan all APs, thereby improving the efficiency of the association, i.e., significantly reducing the time it takes to form associations. It is to be understood that the above descriptions are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive.

9 Figure 13 shows a flow diagram of an illustrative process 900 for a probing system for MLD, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

In block 902 a device (e.g. the user device (s) 120 and / or the AP 102 from 1 ) Designate a multi-link device (MLD) connected to an access point (AP) in a multi-AP group.

In block 904 the device can identify a request frame received from a station device, the request frame having an indication that information is to be provided which is associated with at least a part of the multiple AP group.

It is to be understood that the above descriptions are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive.

2 Figure 3 shows a functional diagram of an exemplary communication station 200 in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Illustrated in one embodiment 2 FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a communication station suitable for use as an AP, according to some embodiments 102 ( 1 ) or as a user device 120 ( 1 ) may be suitable. The communication station 200 Can also be used as a handheld device, mobile device, cell phone, smartphone, tablet, netbook, wireless terminal, laptop, portable computing device, femtocell, high data rate subscriber station (HDR), access point, access terminal or other personal communication system device (PCS) be suitable.

The communication station 200 can be a communication circuit 202 and a transceiver 210 for sending and receiving signals to and from other communication stations using one or more antennas 201 exhibit. The communication circuit 202 may have a circuit that can operate the physical layer communication (PHY) and / or the medium access control (MAC) communication for controlling access to the wireless medium and / or other communication layers for sending and receiving signals. The communication station 200 can also be a processing circuit 206 and a memory 208 that are arranged to perform the operations described herein. In some embodiments, the communication circuit 202 and the processing circuit 206 be set up to perform the operations described in the figures, diagrams and sequences above.

According to some embodiments, the communication circuit 202 be arranged to compete on a wireless medium and establish frames or packets for communication over the wireless medium. The communication circuit 202 can be set up to send and receive signals. The communication circuit 202 may also have circuits for modulation / demodulation, up / down conversion, filtering, amplification, etc. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 206 the communication station 200 have one or more processors. In other embodiments, two or more antennas 201 with the communication circuit 202 be coupled, which are arranged for sending and receiving signals. The memory 208 can provide information on setting up the processing circuitry 206 to perform operations to configure and transmit message frames and to perform the various operations described herein. The memory 208 may have any type of memory, including non-transitory memory, to store information in a form that can be read by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, the memory 208 computer readable storage device, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, and other storage devices and media.

According to some embodiments, the communication station 200 Be part of a portable wireless communication device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop or a portable computer Wireless communication capability, a web tablet, a wireless phone, a smartphone, a wireless headset, a pager, an instant messaging device, a digital camera, an access point, a television, a medical device (e.g. a heart rate monitor, a Blood pressure monitor, etc.), a portable computing device, or any other device that can receive and / or send information wirelessly.

In some embodiments, the communication station 200 one or more antennas 201 exhibit. The antennas 201 may have one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas, for example dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas or other types of antennas that are suitable for the transmission of RF signals. In some embodiments, a single multi-aperture antenna may be used instead of two or more antennas. In these embodiments, each aperture can be viewed as a separate antenna. In some multi-input multi-output (MIMO) embodiments, the antennas can be effectively separated for spatial diversity and the different channel characteristics that may result between each of the antennas and the antennas of a broadcasting station.

In some embodiments, the communication station 200 include one or more of the following: a keyboard, a display, a non-volatile memory port, multiple antennas, a graphics processor, an application processor, speakers, and other moveable device elements. The display can have an LCD screen that contains a touch screen.

Although the communication station 200 is shown as having multiple separate functional elements, two or more of the functional elements can be combined and implemented by combinations of software configured elements such as processing elements including digital signal processors (DSPs) and / or other hardware elements. For example, some elements may have one or more microprocessors, DSPs, FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), RFICs (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits) and combinations of various hardware and logic circuits in order to carry out at least the functions described here . In some embodiments, the functional elements of the communication station 200 refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements.

Certain embodiments can be implemented in any one or a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Other embodiments may also be implemented as instructions stored on a computer readable storage device that can be read and executed by at least one processor to perform the operations described herein. A computer readable storage device can include any non-transitory storage mechanism for storing information in a machine (eg, computer) readable form. A computer readable storage device may e.g. Read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, and other storage devices and media. In some embodiments, the communication station 200 include one or more processors and may be configured with instructions stored on a computer readable storage device.

3 Figure 3 shows a block diagram of an example of a machine 300 or a system on which one or more of the techniques (e.g., methods) discussed herein can be performed. According to other embodiments, the machine 300 work as a stand-alone device or be connected (e.g. networked) to other machines. In a networked application, the machine can 300 operate in the role of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-client network environments. In one example, the device can 300 act as a peer device in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environments. With the device 300 it can be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a portable computing device, a web appliance, a network A router, switch or bridge, or any device capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) specifying actions to be taken by that device, such as a base station. Although only a single machine is depicted, the term “machine” is intended to include any collection of machines that individually or collectively execute a set (or sets) of instructions to perform one or more of the methods discussed herein, such as cloud computing , Software as a Service (SaaS) or other computer cluster configurations.

Examples as described herein may include or operate on logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules are tangible units (e.g. Hardware) that can perform certain operations during operation. A module has hardware. In one example, the hardware may be specifically designed to perform a particular operation (e.g., hardwired). In another example, the hardware may include configurable execution units (e.g., transistors, circuits, etc.) and a computer readable medium containing instructions, the instructions setting up the execution units to perform a particular operation when in use. The configuration can be done under the direction of the execution units or a loading mechanism. According to this example, the execution units are communicatively coupled to the computer-readable medium when the device is in operation. In this example, the execution units can be a member of more than one module. For example, the execution units may be set up in operation by a first set of instructions to implement a first module at a point in time and reconfigured by a second set of instructions to implement a second module at a second point in time.

The machine (e.g. the computer system) 300 can be a hardware processor 302 (e.g. a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 304 and a static memory 306 some or all of which have an intermediate connection (e.g. a bus) 308 can communicate with each other. The machine 300 can also be a power management device 332 , a graphics display device 310 , an alphanumeric input device 312 (e.g. a keyboard) and a navigation device 314 (e.g. a mouse) for the user interface (UI). In one example, the graphics display device 310 , the alphanumeric input device 312 and the UI navigation device 314 be a touchscreen display. The device 300 can additionally have a storage device (i.e. a drive unit) 316 , a device for generating signals 318 (e.g. a loudspeaker), a probe device for MLD 319 , a network interface device / transceiver 320 who with antenna (s) 330 is coupled, and one or more sensors 328 have such. B. a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, compass, accelerometer or other sensor. The device 300 can be a control unit 334 such as a serial (e.g. Universal Serial Bus (USB), parallel or other wired or wireless (e.g. infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC) etc.) connection to connect to one or more peripheral devices (e.g. a printer , a card reader, etc.) to communicate or control them.) The operations according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed by a baseband processor. The baseband processor can be set up to generate corresponding baseband signals. The baseband processor may further include physical layer (PHY) and medium access control layer (MAC) circuitry, and may further interface with the hardware processor 302 for generating and processing the baseband signals and for controlling the operations of the main memory 304 , the storage device 316 and / or scanning for the MLD facility 319 exhibit. The baseband processor can be provided on a single radio card, chip, or integrated circuit (IC).

The storage device 316 can be a machine-readable medium 322 have on which one or more sets of data structures or instructions 324 (e.g. software) that embodies or is used by one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions 324 can also be completely or at least partially in main memory 304 , in static memory 306 or in the hardware processor 302 when they are from the machine 300 are executed. In one example, one or any combination of the hardware processor can be used 302 , the main memory 304 , the static memory 306 or the storage device 316 represent a machine-readable medium.

The probing device 319 for MLD, any of the operations and processes described and illustrated above (e.g. process 900 ) execute or execute.

It should be understood that the above information is only a subset of what the probing for MLD device is for 319 and that other functions that this disclosure has also from Probing for MLD Device 319 can be executed.

While the machine-readable medium 322 is depicted as a single medium, the term “machine readable medium” may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database and / or associated caches and servers) that are set up that include one or more instructions 324 save.

Various embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part in software and / or firmware. Such software and / or firmware may take the form of instructions contained in or on a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium. These instructions can then be provided by an or multiple processors can be read and executed to enable the operations described here to be performed. The instructions can be in any suitable form such as, but not limited to, source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Such a computer readable medium may include any tangible, non-transitory medium for storing information in a form readable by one or more computers, such as, but not limited to, read only memory (ROM); Random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; a flash memory, etc.

The term “machine-readable medium” can include any medium that is capable of carrying instructions for execution by the machine 300 to save, encode or carry that the machine 300 cause one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure to be performed, or capable of storing, encoding, or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting examples of machine-readable media can include solid-state memories, as well as optical and magnetic media. In one example, a machine-readable medium in bulk comprises a machine-readable medium with a plurality of particles that have a rest mass. Specific examples of machine-readable mass media may include non-volatile memories, such as semiconductor storage devices (e.g., electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM) or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; Magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

The instructions 324 can also use a communication network 326 using a transmission medium via the network interface device / transceiver 320 transmitted or received using any of a number of transmission protocols (e.g. Frame Relay, Internet Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), etc.). Examples of communication networks can be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), cellular phone networks (e.g., cellular networks), simple old telephone networks (POTS), wireless data networks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard family known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE 802.16 standard family known as WiMax®), IEEE 802.15.4 standard family, and peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others. In one example, the network interface device / transceiver 320 have one or more physical jacks (e.g., ethernet, coaxial, or telephone jacks) or one or more antennas to connect to the communications network 326 to manufacture. In one example, the network interface device / transceiver 320 have a plurality of antennas in order to communicate wirelessly, wherein at least one of the techniques single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) or multiple-input single-output (MISO) is used. The term “transmission medium” is to be understood to include any intangible medium that is capable of carrying instructions for execution by the machine 300 to store, encode or transport, and it has digital or analog communication signals or other intangible media to facilitate the communication of such software.

The acts and processes described and illustrated above can be carried out or performed in any suitable order as desired in various implementations. Additionally, in certain implementations, at least some of the operations can be performed in parallel. Additionally, in certain implementations, fewer or more than the operations described may be performed.

4th Figure 3 is a block diagram of a radio architecture 105A , 105B according to some embodiments included in one of the example AP 100 and / or the example STA 102 from 1 can be implemented. The radio architecture 105A , 105B can be a radio front-end module (FEM) circuit 404a-b , a radio integrated circuit 406a-b and a baseband processing circuit 408a-b exhibit. The radio architecture 105A , 105B as shown, has both wireless local area network (WLAN) functionality and Bluetooth (BT) functionality, although the embodiments are not so limited. In this disclosure, "WLAN" and "Wi-Fi" are used interchangeably.

The FEM circuit 404a-b can be a WLAN or Wi-Fi FEM circuit 404a and a Bluetooth (BT) FEM circuit 404b exhibit. The WLAN FEM circuit 404a may have a receive signal path that has a circuit that is configured to work with WLAN RF signals from one or more antennas 401 are received to amplify the received signals and the amplified versions of the received signals of the WLAN radio integrated circuit 406a to provide for further processing. The BT-FEM circuit 404b may have a received signal path that may have a circuit that is set up to work with BT RF signals coming from one or more antennas 401 to amplify the received signals and the amplified versions of the received signals of the BT radio integrated circuit 406b to provide for further processing. The FEM circuit 404a can also have a transmission signal path, which can have a circuit which is set up to receive WLAN signals transmitted by the radio IC circuit 406a may be provided for wireless transmission through one or more of the antennas 401 to reinforce. In addition, the FEM circuit can 404b also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify BT signals emitted by the radio IC circuit 406b for wireless transmission through which one or more antennas are provided. In the embodiment of 4th are FEM 404a and FEM 404b although shown as separate from one another, the embodiments are not so limited and include in their scope the use of an FEM (not shown) that has a transmission path and / or a reception path for both WLAN and BT signals, or the use one or more FEM circuits, wherein at least some of the FEM circuits share transmission and / or reception signal paths for both WLAN and BT signals.

The radio IC circuit 406a-b as shown, a WLAN radio IC circuit can 406a and a BT radio IC circuit 406b exhibit. The WLAN radio IC circuit 406a may have a received signal path that may have circuitry to that of the FEM circuit 404a downconvert received WLAN RF signals and baseband signals for the WLAN baseband processing circuit 408a provide. The BT radio IC circuit 406b can in turn have a received signal path, which can have a circuit in order to receive BT-HF signals from the FEM circuit 404b received, downconvert and baseband signals for the BT baseband processing circuit 408b provide. The WLAN radio IC circuit 406a may also have a transmission signal path, which may include circuitry to receive WLAN baseband signals generated by the WLAN baseband processing circuit 408a are provided, up-convert and WLAN RF output signals to the FEM circuit 404a for subsequent wireless transmission through the one or more antennas 401 provide. The BT radio IC circuit 406b can also have a transmission signal path, which can have a circuit for up-converting BT baseband signals that are generated by the BT baseband processing circuit 408b and BT RF output signals for the FEM circuit 404b for subsequent wireless transmission through the one or more antennas 401 can provide. In the embodiment of 4th are the radio IC circuits 406a and 406b although shown as separate from one another, but the embodiments are not so limited and include in their scope the use of a radio IC circuit (not shown) that has a transmission signal path and / or a reception signal path for both WLAN and BT signals or the use of one or more radio IC circuits, at least some of the radio IC circuits sharing transmission and / or reception signal paths for both WLAN and BT signals.

The baseband processing circuit 408a-b can be a WLAN baseband processing circuit 408a and a BT baseband processing circuit 408b exhibit. The WLAN baseband processing circuit 408a may have a memory such as a set of RAM arrays according to a Fast Fourier Transform or Inverse Fourier Transform block (not shown) of the WLAN baseband processing circuit 408a . Any of the WiFi baseband circuits 408a and the BT baseband circuits 408b can furthermore have one or more processors and a control unit in order to receive the signals from the corresponding WLAN or BT reception signal path of the radio IC circuit 406a-b to process received signals and also corresponding WLAN or BT baseband signals for the transmission signal path of the radio IC circuit 406a-b to create. Each of the baseband processing circuits 408a and 408b may further comprise a physical layer (PHY) and middle access control layer (MAC) circuit and may further interface with a device for generating and processing the baseband signals and for controlling the operations of the radio integrated circuit 406a-b exhibit.

According to the in 4th illustrated embodiment, the WLAN-BT coexistence circuit 413 have logic that interfaces between the WLAN baseband circuit 408a and the BT baseband circuit 408b to enable use cases that require WLAN and BT coexistence. In addition, a switch can 403 between the WLAN FEM circuit 404a and the BT-FEM circuit 404b be provided to enable switching between the WLAN and BT radios according to application requirements. In addition, although the antennas 401 are shown so that they are each connected to the WLAN FEM circuit 404a and the BT-FEM circuit 404b are connected, embodiments have in their scope the common use of one or more antennas according to the WLAN and BT FEMs or the provision of more than one antenna on that with each of the FEMs 404a or 404b connected is.

According to some embodiments, the front-end module circuits 404a-b who have favourited Radio IC Circuits 406a-b and the baseband processing circuits 408a-b be provided on a single radio card, such as the wireless radio card 402 . In some other embodiments, the one or more antennas 401 who have favourited FEM circuit 404a-b and the radio IC circuit 406a-b be provided on a single radio card. According to some other embodiments, the radio integrated circuit 406a-b and the baseband processing circuit 408a-b on a single chip or integrated circuit (IC) such as BIC 412 , be provided.

In some embodiments, the wireless card may 402 have a WLAN radio card and be set up for the Wi-Fi communication, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this regard. In some of these embodiments, the radio architecture 105A , 105B be configured to receive and transmit orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDM) or orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication signals over a multicarrier communication channel. The OFDM or OFDMA signals can have a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers.

According to some of these multi-carrier embodiments, the radio architecture 105A , 105B Be part of a Wi-Fi communication station (STA), such as a wireless access point (AP), a base station, or a mobile device that includes a Wi-Fi device. In some of these embodiments, the radio architecture 105A , 105B be set up to send and receive signals in accordance with certain communication standards and / or protocols, such as one of the standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), including 802.11n-2009, IEEE 802.11-2012, IEEE 802.11- 2016, 802.11n-2009, 802.11ac, 802.11ah, 802.11ad, 802.11ay and / or 802.11ax standards and / or proposed specifications for WLANs, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this regard. The radio architecture 105A , 105B may also be suitable for sending and / or receiving communications according to other techniques and standards.

In some embodiments, the radio architecture 105A , 105B be set up for highly efficient Wi-Fi communication (HEW) in accordance with the IEEE 802.11ax standard. In these embodiments, the radio architecture 105A , 105B be configured to communicate according to an OFDMA technique, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this regard.

In some other embodiments, the radio architecture 105A , 105B be set up to send and receive signals that are transmitted using one or more other modulation techniques, such as spread spectrum modulation (e.g. Direct Sequence Code Division Multiple Access - DS-CDMA) and / or frequency hopping Code division multiple access (Frequency Hopping Code Division Multiple Access - FH-CDMA), time division multiplex (TDM) modulation and / or frequency division multiplex (FDM) modulation, the scope of the embodiments not being limited in this regard.

In some embodiments, as in 4th further shown, the BT baseband circuit 408b Be compliant with a Bluetooth (BT) connectivity standard such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth 8.0, or Bluetooth 6.0, or another iteration of the Bluetooth standard.

According to some embodiments, the radio architecture 105A , 105B have other radio cards, such as a cellular radio card that is set up for cellular (e.g. 5GPP such as LTE, LTE-Advanced or 7G communication).

In some embodiments of IEEE 802.11, the radio architecture may 105A , 105B be set up for communication over various channel bandwidths, including bandwidths with center frequencies of approximately 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and bandwidths of approximately 2 MHz, 4 MHz, 5 MHz, 5.5 MHz, 6 MHz, 8 MHz, 10 MHz, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz (with contiguous bandwidths) or 80 + 80 MHz (160MHz) (with non-contiguous bandwidths). In some embodiments, a channel bandwidth of 920 MHz can be used. However, the scope of the embodiments is not limited with respect to the center frequencies mentioned above.

5 illustrates the WLAN FEM circuit 404a according to some embodiments. Although the example of 5 in connection with the WLAN FEM circuit 404a is described, the example of 5 in connection with the example BT-FEM circuit 404b ( 4th ), although other circuit configurations may be suitable.

In some embodiments, the FEM circuit 404a a TX / RX switch 502 to switch between send mode and receive mode. The FEM circuit 404a can have a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The received signal path of the FEM circuit 404a can use a low-noise amplifier (LNA) 506 have to received RF signals 503 to amplify and the amplified received RF signals 507 to be provided as an output (e.g. to the radio IC circuit 406a-b ( 4th )). The transmit signal path of the circuit 404a may have a power amplifier (PA) to input RF signals 509 (e.g. from the radio IC circuit 406a-b provided), and one or more filters 512 , like band pass filters (BPFs), low pass filters (LPFs), or other types of filters, to RF signals 515 for subsequent transmission (e.g. through one or more of the antennas 401 ( 4th )) via a sample duplexer 514 to create.

In some dual-mode embodiments for Wi-Fi communication, the FEM circuit can 404a be set up to operate in either the 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum or the 5 GHz frequency spectrum. According to these embodiments, the received signal path of the FEM circuit 404a a receive signal path duplexer 504 to separate the signals from each spectrum, as well as a separate LNA 506 provide for each spectrum as shown. According to these embodiments, the transmission signal path of the FEM circuit 404a also a power amplifier 510 and a filter 512 such as a BPF, an LPF, or some other type of filter for each frequency spectrum and a transmit signal path duplexer 504 have the signals of one of the different spectra on a single transmission path for subsequent transmission by the one or more of the antennas 401 to provide ( 4th ). In some embodiments, the BT communication can use the 2.4 GHz signal paths and the same FEM circuit 404a as used for wireless LAN communication.

6th illustrates the radio IC circuit 406a according to some embodiments. The radio IC circuit 406a is an example of a circuit suitable for use as a WLAN or BT radio IC circuit 406a / 406b ( 4th ) may be suitable, although other circuit configurations may also be suitable. Alternatively, the example of 6th in conjunction with the exemplary BT radio IC circuit 406b to be discribed.

In some embodiments, the radio integrated circuit 406a have a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the radio IC circuit 406a can at least one mixer circuit 602 include, such as a down-conversion mixer circuit, an amplifier circuit 606 and a filter circuit 608 . The transmit signal path of the radio IC circuit 406a can at least one filter circuit 612 and a mixer circuit 614 such as an up-conversion mixer circuit. The radio IC circuit 406a can also use a synthesizer circuit 604 to synthesize a frequency 605 for use by the mixer circuit 602 and the mixer circuit 614 exhibit. The mixer circuits 602 and or 614 may be configured according to some embodiments to provide direct conversion functionality. The latter type of circuit has a much simpler architecture compared to standard superheterodyne mixer circuits, and any flicker noise caused by the same can be mitigated, for example, by using OFDM modulation. 6th Figure 3 shows only a simplified version of a radio integrated circuit and, although not shown, may have embodiments in which each of the shown circuits may contain more than one component. For example, the mixer circuit 614 each having one or more mixers, and the filter circuits 608 and or 612 may each have one or more filters, such as one or more BPFs and / or LPFs according to the requirements of the application. For example, if the mixer circuits are of the direct conversion type, they may each have two or more mixers.

In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 602 be set up by the FEM circuit 404a-b ( 4th ) received RF signals 507 based on the synthesized frequency 605 by the synthesizer circuit 604 is provided to convert downwards. The amplifier circuit 606 may be arranged to amplify the down-converted signals and the filter circuit 608 may include an LPF configured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signals to output baseband signals 607 to create. The output baseband signals 607 can use the baseband processing circuit 408a-b ( 4th ) can be made available for further processing. In some embodiments, the output may be baseband signals 607 Be zero frequency baseband signals, although this is not a requirement. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 602 have passive mixers, wherein the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this regard.

In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 614 be set up to input baseband signals 611 based on the synthesized frequency 605 by the synthesizer circuit 604 is provided to up-convert to RF output signals 509 for the FEM circuit 404a-b to create. The baseband signals 611 can from the baseband processing circuit 408a-b can be provided by the filter circuit 612 be filtered. The filter circuit 612 may include an LPF or a BPF, the scope of the embodiments not being limited in this regard.

In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 602 and the mixer circuit 614 each have two or more mixers and for a quadrature down-conversion and / or up-conversion with the aid of the synthesizer 604 be arranged. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 602 and the mixer circuit 614 each have two or more mixers which are each set up for image suppression (for example Hartley image suppression). In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 602 and the mixer circuit 614 be arranged for direct down-conversion and / or direct up-conversion. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 602 and the mixer circuit 614 be set up for super heterodyne operation, although this is not a requirement.

The mixer circuit 602 can, according to one embodiment, have passive quadrature mixers (eg for the in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase paths (Q)). In such an embodiment, the RF input signal 507 the end 6th downconverted to provide I and Q baseband output signals which are sent to the baseband processor

Passive quadrature mixers can be driven by zero- and ninety-degree time-varying LO switching signals provided by a quadrature circuit configured to receive a LO frequency (fLO) from a local oscillator or synthesizer such as the LO frequency 605 of the synthesizer 604 ( 6th ). In some embodiments, the LO frequency can be the carrier frequency, while in other embodiments the LO frequency can be a fraction of the carrier frequency (eg, half the carrier frequency, one third of the carrier frequency). In some embodiments, the time varying zero and ninety degree switching signals may be generated by the synthesizer, the scope of the embodiments not being limited in this regard.

In some embodiments, the LO signals may differ in duty cycle (the percentage of a period that the LO signal is high) and / or in offset (the difference between the starting points of the period). In some embodiments, the LO signals can have a duty cycle of 85% and an offset of 80%. In some embodiments, each branch of the mixer circuit (e.g., the in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) paths) can operate with a duty cycle of 80%, which can result in a significant reduction in power consumption.

The RF input signal 507 ( 5 ) may have a symmetrical signal, the scope of the embodiments not being restricted in this regard. The I and Q baseband output signals can be provided to a low noise amplifier, such as the amplifier circuit 606 ( 6th ) or the filter circuit 608 ( 6th ).

In some embodiments, the output may be baseband signals 607 and the input baseband signals 611 baseband analog signals, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this regard. In some alternative embodiments, the output may be baseband signals 607 and the input baseband signals 611 be digital baseband signals. In these alternative embodiments, the radio integrated circuit may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit.

In some dual-mode embodiments, a separate radio integrated circuit may be provided for processing signals for each spectrum or for other spectra not mentioned here, the scope of the embodiments not being limited in this regard.

In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuit 604 a fractional N synthesizer or a fractional N / N + 1 synthesizer, the scope of the embodiments being not limited in this regard, as other types of frequency synthesizers may be suitable. For example, the synthesizer circuit 604 be a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier or a synthesizer that has a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider. According to some embodiments, the synthesizer circuit 604 comprise a digital synthesizer circuit. One advantage of using a digital synthesizer circuit is that, while it may still have some analog components, its footprint is much less than the footprint of an analog synthesizer circuit. In some embodiments, the frequency input to the synthesizer circuit 604 provided by a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), although this is not a requirement. A divider control input can also be provided by the baseband processing circuit 408a-b ( 4th ), depending on the desired output frequency 605 . According to some embodiments, a divider control input (e.g., N) can be determined from a look-up table (e.g., within a Wi-Fi card) based on a channel number and a channel center frequency, as shown by the example Application processor 410 determined or specified. The application processor 410 can use one of the exemplary safe signal converters 101 or the exemplary received signal converter 103 have or otherwise be connected to it (e.g. depending on the device in which the exemplary radio architecture is implemented).

According to some embodiments, the synthesizer circuit 604 be set up to use a carrier frequency as the output frequency 605 while in other embodiments the output frequency 605 can be a fraction of the carrier frequency (e.g. half the carrier frequency, one third of the carrier frequency). In some embodiments, the output frequency can be 605 be a LO frequency (fLO).

7th Figure 13 shows a functional block diagram of the baseband processing circuit 408a according to some embodiments. The baseband processing circuit 408a is an example of a circuit that is suitable for use as a baseband processing circuit 408a ( 4th ) may be suitable, although other circuit configurations may also be suitable. Alternatively, the example of 6th used to sample the BT baseband processing circuit 408b from 4th to implement.

The baseband processing circuit 408a may have a receive baseband processor (RX BBP) 702 for processing receive baseband signals 609 made by the radio IC circuit 406a-b ( 4th ) and a transmit baseband processor (TX BBP) 704 for generating transmit baseband signals 611 for the radio IC circuit 406a-b exhibit. The baseband processing circuit 408a can also be a control logic 706 to coordinate the operations of the baseband processing circuit 408a exhibit.

In some embodiments (e.g., when analog baseband signals are between the baseband processing circuit 408a-b and the radio IC circuit 406a-b can be exchanged) the baseband processing circuit 408a an ADC 710 have to be used by the radio integrated circuit 406a-b received analog baseband signals 709 into digital baseband signals for processing by the RX BBP 702 to convert. In these embodiments, the baseband processing circuit 408a also a DAC 712 have to digital baseband signals from TX BBP 704 into analog baseband signals 711 to convert.

In some embodiments transmitting OFDM signals or OFDMA signals, such as by the baseband processor 408a , the broadcast baseband processor can 704 be set up to generate OFDM or OFDMA signals as they are suitable for transmission by performing an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT). The receiving baseband processor 702 can be set up to process received OFDM or OFDMA signals by performing an FFT. According to some embodiments, the receive baseband processor 702 be set up to detect the presence of an OFDM signal or OFDMA signal by performing an autocorrelation to detect a preamble, for example a short preamble, and by performing a cross-correlation to detect a long preamble. The preambles can be part of a given framework for Wi-Fi communication.

Back to 4th : In some embodiments, the antennas 401 ( 4th ) each have one or more directional or non-directional antennas, eg dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas or other antenna types that are suitable for the transmission of RF signals. In some multi-input multi-output (MIMO) embodiments, the antennas can be effectively separated to take advantage of the spatial diversity and different channel characteristics that may result. The antennas 401 may each have a set of phased array antennas, although the embodiments are not so limited.

Although the radio architecture 105A , 105B is shown as having multiple separate functional elements, one or more of the functional elements can be combined and implemented by combinations of software configured elements such as processing elements including digital signal processors (DSPs) and / or other hardware elements. For example, some elements can have one or more microprocessors, DSPs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), integrated radio frequency circuits (RFICs) and combinations of various hardware and logic circuits in order to carry out at least the functions described here. In some embodiments, the functional elements may relate to one or more processes running on one or more processing elements.

The word “exemplary” is used here in the sense of “serving as an example, instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be understood as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The terms “computer device”, “user device”, “communication station”, “station”, “handheld device”, “mobile” used here Device, “wireless device” and “user device” (UE) refer to a wireless communication device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, netbook, wireless terminal, laptop, femtocell, HDR Subscriber station (high data rate), an access point, a printer, a point of sale device, an access terminal or other PCS (personal communication system) device. The device can be either mobile or stationary.

As used in this document, the term “communicate” is intended to include sending or receiving, or both sending and receiving. This can be particularly useful in claims when describing the organization of data sent by one device and received by another, but only the functionality of one of those devices is required to infringe the claim. Similarly, the bidirectional exchange of data between two devices (both devices send and receive during the exchange) can be described as "communicating" if only the functionality of one of these devices is required. As used herein in relation to a wireless communication signal, the term “communicating” includes the transmission of the wireless communication signal and / or the reception of the wireless communication signal. For example, a wireless communication unit capable of transmitting a wireless communication signal may have a wireless transmitter to transmit the wireless communication signal to at least one other wireless communication unit and / or a wireless communication receiver to receive the wireless communication signal from at least one other wireless communication unit.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives "first," "second," "third", etc., to describe a common object merely indicates that reference is made to different instances of like objects, and is not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a certain order, either temporally, spatially, in order of precedence, or in some other way.

The term “access point” (AP) as used here can be a fixed station. An access point can also be referred to as an access node, a base station, an evolved nodeB (eNodeB) or some other similar terminology known in the art. An access terminal may also be referred to as a mobile station, user equipment (UE), wireless communication device, or other similar terminology known in the art. The embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to wireless networks. Some embodiments may relate to wireless networks that operate in accordance with any of the IEEE 802.11 standards.

Some embodiments can be used in conjunction with various devices and systems, e.g., a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device, an on-board device, a Non-vehicle device, a mobile or portable device, a consumer device, a non-mobile or non-mobile device, a wireless communication station, a wireless communication device, a wireless access point (AP), a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, video device, audio device, audio-video (A / V) device, wired or wireless network, wireless area network, wireless video area network (WVAN), local area calibration network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a personal area network (PAN), a wireless PAN (WPAN) and the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one-way and / or two-way radio communication systems, cellular radiotelephone communication systems, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a personal communication system (PCS) device, a PDA device that is a wireless communication device contains, a mobile or portable Global Positioning System (GPS) device, a device that contains a GPS receiver or transceiver or chip, a device that contains an RFID element or chip, a MIMO transmitter / receiver or a MIMO device (multiple input multiple output), a SIMO transmitter / receiver or a SIMO device (single input multiple output) , a MISO transmitter / receiver or a MISO device (multiple input single output), a device that has one or more internal antennas and / or external antennas, DVB devices te or systems (digital video broadcast), multi-standard radio devices or systems, a wired or wireless handheld device, e.g., a smartphone, a device with wireless application protocol (WAP) or the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types of wireless communication signals and / or systems that follow one or more wireless communication protocols, e.g. radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), orthogonal FDM (OFDM), time division multiplexing (TDM), time division multiplexing (TDMA), extended TDMA (E-TDMA) ), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Extended GPRS, Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, Single-Carrier CDMA, Multi-Carrier CDMA, Multi-Carrier Modulation (MDM), Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT), Bluetooth, Global Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee, Ultra Wideband (UWB), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 3 , 5G, 4G, fifth generation mobile networks (5G), 3GPP, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced, Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) or similar. Other embodiments may be used in various other devices, systems, and / or networks.

The following examples relate to further embodiments.

Example 1 may include an apparatus having processing circuitry coupled to a memory, the processing circuitry being configured to: determine a multi-link device (MLD) associated with an access point (AP) in a multi-AP group; and identify a request frame received from a station device, the request frame including an indication to provide information associated with at least a portion of the multiple AP group.

Example 2 may include the apparatus of Example 1 and / or another example herein, wherein the request has a field associated with the indication to provide the information.

Example 3 may include the device of Example 1 and / or another example herein, wherein the multiple AP group comprises collocated APs.

Example 4 may include the device from Example 1 and / or another example herein that further includes a transceiver that is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals.

Example 5 may include the device of Example 4 and / or another example herein further comprising an antenna coupled to the transceiver to cause the frame to be transmitted.

Example 6 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, result in operations including: discovering a multi-link device (MLD) associated with an access point (AP) is assigned in a multiple AP group; and identifying a request frame received from a terminal equipment, the request frame including an indication to provide information associated with at least a portion of the multiple AP group.

Example 7 may include the non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 6 and / or any other example herein, wherein the request has a field associated with the indication to provide the information.

Example 8 may include the non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 6 and / or another example herein, wherein the multiple AP group includes collocated APs.

Example 9 may include a method comprising: one or more processors discovering a multiple link device (MLD) associated with an access point (AP) in a multiple AP group; and identifying a request frame received from a station device, the request frame including an indication to provide information associated with at least a portion of the multiple AP group.

Example 10 may include the method of Example 9 and / or another example herein, wherein the request has a field associated with the indication to provide the information.

Example 11 may have the method of Example 9 and / or another example herein wherein the multiple AP group comprises collocated APs.

Example 12 may include an apparatus including means for: determining a multi-link device (MLD) associated with an access point (AP) in a multi-AP group; and identifying a request frame received from a terminal equipment, the request frame including an indication to provide information associated with at least a portion of the multiple AP group.

Example 13 may include the apparatus of Example 12 and / or another example herein, wherein the request has a field associated with the indication to provide the information.

Example 14 may include the device of Example 12 and / or another example herein, wherein the multiple AP group comprises collocated APs.

Example 15 may include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media containing instructions to cause an electronic device, when the instructions are executed by one or more processors of the electronic device, to perform one or more elements of a method described in any of Examples 1 -14 or relates to any of these examples, or any other method or process described herein.

Example 16 may include apparatus that includes logic, modules, and / or circuitry to perform one or more elements of a method described or related to any of Examples 1-14, or any other method or process described herein .

Example 17 may include a method, technique, or process as described in or related to any of Examples 1-14, or portions or portions thereof.

Example 18 may include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer readable media containing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the method to carry out the technique or process as described in or associated with any of Examples 1-14, or parts thereof.

Example 19 may include a method of communicating on a wireless network as shown and described herein.

Example 20 may include a system for providing wireless communication as shown and described herein.

Example 21 may include an apparatus for providing wireless communication as shown and described herein.

Example 22 may include circuitry coupled to memory, the circuitry configured to: identify a group of access points (APs) connected to a multi-connection device (MLD); identify a request frame received from a station device, the request frame identifying the MLD and requesting information about one or more APs of the group of APs; and provide a response frame to the station device, the response frame including complete information about the one or more APs of the group of APs.

Example 23 may include the circuitry of Example 22, where the request frame includes information identifying a subset of APs of the group of APs belonging to the MLD.

Example 24 may include the circuitry of Example 22, where the group of APs includes collocated APs.

Example 25 may include the circuitry of Example 23, where the identification information includes a list of APs.

Example 26 may include the circuit of Example 22, wherein the MLD is identified based on information in the requirements framework that identifies an AP in the group of APs belonging to the MLD and information indicating that the requirements framework is an MLD - The requirement is to identify.

Example 27 may have a device of an access point (AP) that is set up for operation in an IEEE 802.11 network, the device having a radio frequency interface and the circuit from one of Examples 22 to 26.

Example 28 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, result in operations including: discovering a group of access points (APs) sharing a multiple connection -Device (MLD) are assigned; Identifying a request frame received from a station device, the request frame identifying the MLD, and providing a response frame to the station device, the response frame comprising complete information about one or more APs of the group of APs.

Example 29 may include the non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 28, wherein the request frame includes a field containing an indication of providing information about one or more APs of the group of APs.

Example 30 may include the non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 28, where the group of APs comprises collocated APs.

Example 31 may include the non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 28, wherein the MLD is identified based on information in the requirements framework that identifies an AP in the group of APs that belong to the MLD and information that indicates that the requirements framework is an MLD requirement.

Example 32 may include a method of an access point device adapted to operate on an IEEE 802.11 network, comprising: determining, by one or the other, a group of access points (APs) associated with a multi-link device (MLD) multiple processors; and identifying a request frame received from a station device, the request frame identifying the MLD, and providing a response frame to the station device, the response frame including complete information about the one or more APs of the group of APs.

Example 33 may include the non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 32, wherein the request frame includes a field that includes an indication of providing information about one or more APs of the group of APs.

Example 34 may include the non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 32, where the group of APs includes collocated APs.

Example 35 may include the non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 32, wherein the MLD is identified based on information in the requirements framework that identifies an AP in the group of APs that belong to the MLD and information that indicates that the requirements framework is an MLD requirement.

Example 36 may include circuitry coupled to a memory, the circuitry configured to: cause a request frame to be sent to an access point device, the request frame identifying a multiple link device (MLD), the MLD of a group of access points (APs) including an access point of the access point device, and wherein the request frame requests information about one or more APs of the group of APs assigned to the MLD; and receiving a response frame from the access point device, the response frame including complete information about the one or more APs of the group of APs.

Example 37 may include the circuitry of Example 36, where the request frame includes information identifying a subset of APs of the group of APs belonging to the MLD.

Example 38 may include the circuitry of Example 36, where the group of APs includes collocated APs.

Example 39 may include the circuit of Example 37, where the identification information includes a list of APs.

Example 40 may include the circuitry of Example 36, wherein the MLD is identified based on information in the requirements framework that identifies an AP in the group of APs belonging to the MLD and information that indicates that the requirements framework is a MLD requirement is.

Example 41 may include a device of an IEEE 802.11 communication terminal, the device including a radio frequency (RF) interface and the circuit of any of Examples 36 to 40.

Example 42 may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, result in operations including causing a request frame to be sent to an access point device, the request frame being a multiple Connection device (MLD) identified, the MLD being associated with a group of access points (APs) that includes an access point of the access point device, and the request frame requesting information from one or more APs of the groups of APs associated with the MLD are; and receiving a response frame from the access point device, the response frame including complete information from the one or more APs of the group of APs.

Example 43 may include the non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 42, wherein the request frame includes a field that includes an indication of providing information about the one or more APs of the group of APs.

Example 44 may include the non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 42, where the group of APs comprises collocated APs.

Example 45 may include the non-transitory computer readable medium of Example 42, wherein the MLD is identified based on information in the requirements framework that identifies an AP in the group of APs that belong to the MLD and information that indicates that the requirements framework is an MLD requirement.

Example 46 may include a method of a service station device configured in an IEEE 802.11 network comprising: causing a request frame to be sent to an access point device, the request frame identifying a multiple link device (MLD), wherein the MLD is assigned to a group of access points (APs) that includes an access point of the access point device, and wherein the request frame requests information about one or more APs of the group of APs assigned to the MLD; and receiving a response frame from the access point device, the response frame including complete information about the one or more APs of the group of APs.

Example 47 may include the method of Example 46, wherein the request frame includes a field containing an indication of providing information about the one or more APs of the group of APs.

Example 48 may have the method of Example 46, wherein the group of APs comprises collocated APs.

Example 49 may include the method of Example 46, wherein the MLD is identified based on information in the requirements framework that identifies an AP in the group of APs that belongs to the MLD and information indicating that the requirements framework is a MLD requirement is.

Embodiments according to the disclosure are disclosed in particular in the appended claims, which are directed to a method, a storage medium, an apparatus and a computer program product, wherein each feature mentioned according to any claim, e.g. method, is also mentioned in a different claim category, e.g. System that can be claimed. The dependencies or back references in the appended claims are selected for formal reasons only. However, any subject matter can also be claimed that results from a conscious reference back to the preceding claims (in particular multiple dependencies), so that any combination of claims and their features are disclosed and can be claimed independently of the dependencies selected in the appended claims. The claimable subject matter has not only the combination of features according to the appended claims, but also any other combination of features according to the claims, wherein each feature mentioned in the claims can be combined with any other feature or any combination of other features according to the claims. In addition, each of the embodiments and features described or illustrated herein may be claimed in a separate claim and / or in any combination with any embodiment or feature described or illustrated herein or with any of the features of the appended claims.

The foregoing description of one or more embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or can be gained from practicing various embodiments.

Certain aspects of the disclosure are described above with reference to block and flow diagrams of systems, methods, devices, and / or computer program products according to various implementations. It will be understood that one or more blocks of the block and flow diagrams, as well as combinations of blocks in the block and flow diagrams, respectively, can be implemented by computer-executable program instructions. Likewise, some blocks of the block diagrams and flowcharts may not necessarily be executed in the order shown, or may not be executed at all, in accordance with some implementations.

These computer-executable program instructions can be loaded onto a special purpose computer or other specific machine, processor or other programmable data processing device to create a specific machine so that the instructions executed on the computer, processor or other programmable data processing device, Provide means for implementing one or more of the functions indicated in the block or blocks of the flowchart. These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or memory, which can instruct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a certain way, such that the stored in the computer-readable storage medium Instructions create an article of manufacture having instruction means that implement one or more functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. According to one example, certain implementations may provide a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having implemented therein computer readable program code or program instructions, the computer readable program code being adapted to be executed to implement one or more functions defined in the Flowchart block or the flowchart blocks are specified. The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device to cause a series of operational elements or steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable device in order to generate a computer-implemented process such that the instructions, that are executed on the computer or other programmable device, elements or steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks are provided.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flow charts support combinations of means for executing the specified functions, combinations of elements or steps for executing the specified functions, and program instruction means for executing the specified functions. It is also to be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowcharts and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowcharts can be implemented by special hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions, elements or steps or combinations of special hardware and computer instructions.

Conditional expressions such as For example, unless expressly stated otherwise or understood differently in the context, “may”, “could”, “could” or “may” are generally intended to convey that certain implementations may have certain features, elements, and / or operations while others Implementations do not have these. Therefore, in general, such conditional language is not intended to imply that features, elements, and / or operations are required in any way for one or more implementations, or that one or more implementations necessarily have logic to decide with or without user input or prompting whether those features, elements, and / or operations are included or intended to be performed in a particular implementation.

Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind when given the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the accompanying drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be made within the scope of the appended claims. While specific terms are used herein, they are used in a general and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• US 62/978439 [0001]

Claims (10)

A circuit, wherein the circuit is coupled to a memory, wherein the circuit is configured: determine a group of access points (APs) connected to a multi-link device (MLD); Identifying a request frame received from a station device, the request frame identifying the MLD and requesting information about one or more APs of the group of APs; and Providing a response frame to the terminal equipment, the response frame including complete information about the one or more APs of the group of APs; optionally wherein the request frame includes information identifying a subset of APs of the group of APs belonging to the MLD; wherein the identification information further optionally comprises a list of APs. The circuit after Claim 1 wherein the group of APs comprises collocated Aps; and / or wherein the MLD is identified based on information in the requirements framework identifying an AP in the group of APs belonging to the MLD and information indicating that the requirements framework is an MLD requirement. Apparatus of an access point (AP) set up for operation in an IEEE 802.11 network, the apparatus having a radio frequency interface and the circuit according to any one of the Claims 1 or 2 having. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, result in operations being performed, including the Discovering a group of access points (APs) connected to a multi-link device (MLD); Identifying a request frame received from a station device, the request frame identifying the MLD, and Providing a response frame to the station device, the response frame including complete information about one or more APs of the group of APs; wherein the request frame optionally has a field which contains an indication of the provision of information about one or more APs of the group of Aps; and or wherein optionally the group of APs comprises collocated Aps; optionally identifying the MLD based on information in the requirements framework identifying an AP in the group of APs belonging to the MLD and information indicating that the requirements framework is an MLD requirement. A method of an access point device adapted to operate on an IEEE 802.11 network, comprising: Determining, by one or more processors, a group of access points (APs) belonging to a multi-link device (MLD); and Identifying a request frame received from a station device, the request frame identifying the MLD, and Providing a response frame to the station device, the response frame including complete information about the one or more APs of the group of APs; wherein the request frame optionally has a field which contains an indication of the provision of information about one or more APs of the group of APs; wherein optionally the group of APs comprises collocated APs; optionally identifying the MLD based on information in the requirements framework that identifies an AP in the group of APs that belongs to the MLD and information that indicates that the requirements framework is an MLD requirement. A circuit, wherein the circuit is coupled to a memory, wherein the circuit is configured: cause the sending of a request frame to an access point device, the request frame identifying a multiple connection device (MLD), the MLD being associated with a group of access points (APs) having an access point of the access point device, and the request frame information requests from one or more APs of the group of APs assigned to the MLD; and Receiving a response frame from the access point device, the response frame including complete information of the one or more APs of the group of APs; optionally wherein the request frame includes information identifying a subset of APs of the group of APs belonging to the MLD. wherein the identification information further optionally comprises a list of APs. The circuit after Claim 6 , wherein the group of APs comprises collocated APs; and / or wherein the MLD is identified based on information in the requirements framework identifying an AP in the group of APs belonging to the MLD and information indicating that the requirements framework is an MLD requirement. Apparatus of an IEEE 802.11 communication terminal, the apparatus having a radio frequency (RF) interface and the circuit according to any one of the Claims 6 or 7th having. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, result in operations being performed, including the Causing a request frame to be sent to an access point device, the request frame identifying a multiple connection device (MLD), the MLD being associated with a group of access points (APs) including an access point of the access point device, and wherein the request frame contains information from one or more Requests APs of the groups of APs assigned to the MLD; and Receiving a response frame from the access point device, the response frame including complete information of the one or more APs of the group of APs; wherein optionally the request frame has a field which has an indication of the provision of information about the one or more APs of the group of APs; wherein optionally the group of the APs group comprises collocated APs; optionally identifying the MLD based on information in the requirements framework that identifies an AP in the group of APs that belongs to the MLD and information that indicates that the requirements framework is an MLD requirement. Method of a service station which is set up to work in an IEEE 802.11 network, comprising Causing a request frame to be sent to an access point device, the request frame identifying a multi-link device (MLD), the MLD being associated with a group of access points (APs) including an access point of the access point device, and wherein the request frame contains information from one or more Requests APs from the group of APs assigned to the MLD; and Receiving a response frame from the access point device, the response frame including complete information of the one or more APs of the group of APs; wherein the request frame optionally has a field which has an indication of the provision of information about the one or more APs of the group of APs. wherein optionally the group of APs comprises collocated APs; optionally identifying the MLD based on information in the requirements framework that identifies an AP in the group of APs that belongs to the MLD and information that indicates that the requirements framework is an MLD requirement.

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