Multi-link hibernation mode for WLAN

A method, comprising:

• communicating on a first link of a wireless network, using a first station (STA) of a first multi-link device (MLD), at least one of a data frame, a management frame, or a control frame with a second MLD when a second STA of the first MLD associated with a second link of the wireless network is in a first mode;
• transitioning the first STA from a second mode to the first mode, wherein the first mode comprises a lower power mode than the second mode;
• transitioning the second STA from the first mode to the second mode;
• and
• transmitting a frame, using the second STA, to the second MLD indicating that the second STA has exited the first mode, wherein:
• when in the first mode, the second STA does not track Delivery Traffic Indication Map (DTIM) beacons, and
• when in the second mode, the second STA tracks the DTIM beacons.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a first multi-link device (MLD), cause the first MLD to perform operations, comprising:

• communicating on a first link of a wireless network, using a first station (STA) of the first MLD, at least one of a data frame, a management frame, or a control frame with a second MLD, wherein a second STA of the first MLD associated with a second link of the wireless network is in a first mode;
• transitioning the first STA from a second mode to the first mode, wherein the first mode comprises a lower power mode than the second mode;
• transitioning the second STA from the first mode to the second mode;
• transmitting a frame, using the second STA, to the second MLD indicating that the second STA has exited the first mode;
• and
• receiving, using the first STA and from the second MLD, at least one of an updated Group Temporal Key (GTK) or an updated Integrity GTK (IGTK) associated with the second STA.