MANAGEMENT LINK FOR MULTI-LINK OPERATION

ML beacon frames sent by AP MLD during ML Discovery report the profiles of all the affiliated APs. This duplication over multiple channels substantially reduces network bandwidth available for data transmission. A management AP amongst the affiliated APs is selected for processing the management and control frames. The ML beacon frames from the management AP convey the profiles of all the affiliated APs, while the other affiliated APs send lighter ML beacon frames that for instance indicate where to find the full ML beacon frames. The ML beacon frames hence signal, using a Link ID, which one of the affiliated APs is the management AP. Upon receiving a light ML beacon frame, the non-AP MLD can configure one of its affiliated non-AP station to communicate with the management AP, and then can switch the association procedure over this management link.