Method and apparatus for link enablement and disablement during multi-link operation in a wireless network

A method of selectively disabling a target wireless link between a first wireless device and a second wireless device during multi-link operation (MLO), the method comprising:

• transmitting a request frame from the first wireless device to the second wireless device over a first wireless link, the request frame comprising a link ID of the target wireless link and a request to disable the target wireless link;
• receiving a response frame from the second wireless device at the first wireless device over the first wireless link;
• disabling the target wireless link by using the first wireless device when the response frame confirms the request to disable the target wireless link;
• and
• the first wireless device performing a multi-link operation using the first wireless link when the target wireless link is disabled.

A method of setting up a target wake time (TWT) operation for a target wireless link between a first wireless device and a second wireless device during multi-link operation (MLO), the method comprising:

• transmitting a request frame from the first wireless device to the second wireless device, the request frame comprising a TWT element and a link ID of the target wireless link for initiating a TWT negotiation;
• receiving a response frame from the second wireless device at the first wireless device for completing the TWT negotiation;
• configuring the target wireless link by using the first wireless device based on the TWT negotiation;
• and
• the first wireless device performing a multi-link operation with the second wireless device using the target wireless link.

An apparatus for selectively enabling a target wireless link to perform a multi-link operation over a wireless network, the apparatus comprising:

• a transceiver configured to send and receive data over the wireless network;
• and
• a processor operable to:
• cause the transceiver to transmit a request frame to a wireless device over the wireless network, the request frame comprising a link ID of the target wireless link and a request to enable the target wireless link;
• receive a response frame from the wireless device using the transceiver;
• enable the target wireless link when the response frame confirms the request to enable the target wireless link;
• and
• cause the transceiver to perform a multi-link operation using the target wireless link.