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US-20260129520-A1 - SEAMLESS ROAMING

US20260129520A1US 20260129520 A1US20260129520 A1US 20260129520A1US-20260129520-A1

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a wireless device may transmit a first request message that requests preparation of a service transition from a first access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) to a second AP MLD among one or more candidate AP MLDs. The wireless device may receive a first response message that indicates that one candidate AP MLD, among the candidate AP MLDs, is the second AP MLD prepared for the service transition. The wireless device may transmit a second request message to the first AP MLD or the second AP MLD. The wireless device may receive a second response message that indicates completion of the service transition to the second AP MLD and that the second AP MLD is ready for data communications. Numerous other aspects are described.

Inventors

  • Giovanni Chisci
  • Yogesh Shekar
  • Vikram Phogat
  • Tushnim Bhattacharyya
  • Abhishek Pramod PATIL
  • Sai Yiu Duncan Ho
  • Alfred Asterjadhi
  • Gaurang NAIK
  • Sanket Sanjay Kalamkar
  • Sherief HELWA
  • George Cherian
  • Krishnakumar Muthusamy

Assignees

  • QUALCOMM INCORPORATED

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251105

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . An apparatus for wireless communication at a wireless device, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors individually or collectively configured to cause the wireless device to: transmit a first request message that requests preparation of a service transition from a first access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) to a second AP MLD among one or more candidate AP MLDs, wherein the first AP MLD and each of one or more candidate AP MLDs respectively includes one or more associated APs that are operating on a link of its respective AP MLD; receive a first response message that indicates that one candidate AP MLD, among the one or more candidate AP MLDs, is the second AP MLD prepared for the service transition; transmit a second request message to the first AP MLD or the second AP MLD; and receive a second response message that indicates completion of the service transition to the second AP MLD and that the second AP MLD is ready for data communications.
  2. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first request message includes a ranking of AP MLDs, and wherein the ranking includes a set of sub-element values or positions for the AP MLDs.
  3. 3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first request message indicates whether only AP MLDs from the ranking are to be considered for selection of the second AP MLD or whether additional candidate AP MLDs are to be considered for the selection.
  4. 4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the wireless device to communicate a message on a link of the second AP MLD after receiving the second response message.
  5. 5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first request message is associated with all links of the one or more candidate AP MLDs.
  6. 6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first request message indicates one or more bands of interest of the wireless device.
  7. 7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first request message indicates a traffic-identifier-to-link mapping for added links of the second AP MLD.
  8. 8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first request message indicates a first context transfer to the one or more first candidate AP MLDs, and wherein the second request message indicates one or more of a second context transfer, a request for a mapping change, or a transition of service to the second AP MLD.
  9. 9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first request message indicates how a pending downlink is to be handled.
  10. 10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first request message uses a traffic-identifier-to-link mapping request frame, a link reconfiguration request frame, or a frame specific to transition preparation.
  11. 11 . An apparatus for wireless communication at a first access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD), comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the AP to: receive a first request message that requests preparation of a service transition from the first AP MLD to a second AP MLD among one or more candidate AP MLDs, wherein the first AP MLD and each of one or more candidate AP MLDs respectively includes one or more associated APs that are operating on a link of its respective AP MLD; perform a link addition for one or more first candidate AP MLDs selected from the one or more candidate AP MLDs; and transmit a first response message that indicates that the one or more first candidate AP MLDs are prepared for the service transition.
  12. 12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein to perform the link addition, the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first AP MLD to transmit a request to add links to the one or more first candidate AP MLDs to multi-link set up links.
  13. 13 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first AP MLD to: receive a second request message; and transmit a second response message that indicates completion of the service transition to the second AP MLD.
  14. 14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first AP MLD to coordinate with the one or more candidate AP MLDs.
  15. 15 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first response message includes a list of the one or more first candidate AP MLDs that are prepared and able to accept a wireless device, and wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first AP MLD to receive a second request message to service transition to the second AP MLD, which is on the list, or to modify the list.
  16. 16 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first response message indicates a network ranking of AP MLDs by the first AP MLD.
  17. 17 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the first AP MLD to delete links of the first AP MLD from multi-link setup links.
  18. 18 . An apparatus for wireless communication at a second access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD), comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, individually or collectively configured to cause the second AP MLD to: receive a first request message that requests preparation of a service transition from a first AP MLD to the second AP MLD, wherein the second AP MLD is among one or more candidate AP MLDs, and wherein the first AP MLD and each of one or more candidate AP MLDs respectively includes one or more associated APs that are operating on a link of its respective AP MLD; receive a request to perform link addition and context for communications; and transmit a link addition confirmation.
  19. 19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the second AP MLD to: receive a second request message; and transmit a second response message that indicates completion of the service transition, based at least in part on a determination that the second request message is received within a timeout duration.
  20. 20 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively configured to cause the second AP MLD to: receive a second request message; and validate the second request message using a sequence number, a packet number, or a transaction token obtained from the first AP MLD.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This Patent Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/717,632, filed on Nov. 7, 2024, entitled “SEAMLESS ROAMING,” and assigned to the assignee hereof. The disclosure of the prior Application is considered part of and is incorporated by reference into this Patent Application. TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to wireless communication, and more specifically, to seamless roaming. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY A wireless local area network (WLAN) may be formed by one or more wireless access points (APs) that provide a shared wireless communication medium for use by multiple client devices also referred to as wireless stations (STAs). The basic building block of a WLAN conforming to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards is a Basic Service Set (BSS), which is managed by an AP. Each BSS is identified by a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) that is advertised by the AP. An AP periodically broadcasts beacon frames to enable any STAs within wireless range of the AP to establish or maintain a communication link with the WLAN. SUMMARY Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed by a wireless device. The method may include transmitting a first request message that requests preparation of a service transition from a first access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) to a second AP MLD among one or more candidate AP MLDs, where the first AP MLD and each of one or more candidate AP MLDs respectively includes one or more associated APs that are operating on a link of its respective AP MLD. The method may include receiving a first response message that indicates that one candidate AP MLD, among the one or more candidate AP MLDs, is the second AP MLD prepared for the service transition. The method may include transmitting a second request message to the first AP MLD or the second AP MLD. The method may include receiving a second response message that indicates completion of the service transition to the second AP MLD and that the second AP MLD is ready for data communications. Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed by a first AP MLD. The method may include receiving a first request message that requests preparation of a service transition from the first AP MLD to a second AP MLD among one or more candidate AP MLDs, where the first AP MLD and each of one or more candidate AP MLDs respectively includes one or more associated APs that are operating on a link of its respective AP MLD. The method may include performing a link addition for one or more first candidate AP MLDs selected from the one or more candidate AP MLDs. The method may include transmitting a first response message that indicates that the one or more first candidate AP MLDs are prepared for the service transition. Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed by a second AP MLD. The method may include receiving a first request message that requests preparation of a service transition from a first AP MLD to the second AP MLD, where the second AP MLD is among one or more candidate AP MLDs, where the first AP MLD and each of one or more candidate AP MLDs respectively includes one or more associated APs that are operating on a link of its respective AP MLD. The method may include receiving a request to perform link addition and context for communications. The method may include transmitting a link addition confirmation. Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication at a wireless device. The apparatus may include one or more memories and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories. The one or more processors may be individually or collectively configured to transmit a first request message that requests preparation of a service transition from a first AP MLD to a second AP MLD among one or more candidate AP MLDs, where the first AP MLD and each of one or more candidate AP MLDs respectively includes one or more associated APs that are operating on a link of its respective AP MLD. The one or more processors may be individually or collectively configured to receive a first response message that indicates that one candidate AP MLD, among the one or more candidate AP MLDs, is prepared for the service transition. The one or more processors may be individually or collectively configured to transmit a second request message to the first AP MLD or the second AP MLD. The one or more processors may be individually or collectively configured to receive a second response message that indicates completion of the service transition to the second AP MLD and that the second AP MLD is ready for data communications. Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication at a first AP. The apparatus may include one or more memories and one or more p