US20260282049
2026-09-17
Electricity
H04W72/25
The patent application introduces a method for configuring a mesh multi-link device (MLD) within a mesh network using multi-link operation (MLO). The mesh network comprises multiple mesh stations (STAs) and mesh MLDs, with communication occurring over various WLAN radio links between access point (AP) MLDs and non-AP MLDs. Each MLD includes affiliated STAs, each operating on a different link designated for mesh operations. The method involves receiving multi-link operation mesh basic service set (MLO MBSS) information, which indicates MLO MBSS capability or operational parameters, and advertising the mesh capability of the MLD using a mesh multi-link element (MLE) included in the MLO MBSS information.
In the context of WLAN mesh operations, a Basic Service Set (BSS) is defined by IEEE 802.11 as a set of stations capable of communicating directly or through an Access Point (AP). Mesh STAs, which do not support Infrastructure BSS functionalities, initiate connectivity by discovering other mesh STAs and transmitting beacon frames to advertise the MBSS. Discovery mechanisms include passive scanning for Beacon frames or unsolicited Probe Response frames, and active scanning by transmitting Probe Request frames and receiving Probe Response frames. Mesh STAs form mesh links by discovering and peering with each other, allowing data routing through a series of hops.
IEEE 802.11be introduces the concept of a multi-link device (MLD), which communicates over multiple WLAN radio links between AP and non-AP MLDs. This allows traffic exchange on multiple links, providing performance gains by utilizing multiple channels. Each AP MLD may have affiliated APs, each operating on different links, and similarly, each non-AP MLD has affiliated non-AP STAs on different links. Dynamic link transitions are also supported, where traffic can move from one link to another based on the active or power save mode of the non-AP STA.
The patent addresses the need for enhanced support of multi-link operation (MLO) within mesh networks, particularly in the context of IEEE 802.11be and IEEE 802.11bn. The method includes receiving MLO MBSS information through various frame types and advertising mesh capabilities via an updated MLE. This involves extending fields within the MLE to indicate mesh services and control multi-link operations. The updated MLE allows a mesh MLD to advertise its MLO MBSS capability effectively.
The method further includes updating a reduced neighbor report (RNR) element and advertising it alongside the specific MLE in Beacon and Probe Response frames. Configuring the MLE for advertising mesh capability involves extending fields to include mesh service indicators and control subfields. Additionally, the method allows for discovering mesh MLO using multi-link probe requests and responses, providing detailed link information for peer MLDs. The MLE's Common Info field and Link Info field are used to indicate mesh capability across links, with specific configurations for mesh-capable links and STA profiles.