QoS traffic stream setup with stream classification service (SCS) request/response

An apparatus of a non-Access Point Extremely High Throughput Station (non-AP EHT STA), the apparatus comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• and memory,
• wherein the non-AP EHT STA is configured for operating as an affiliated STA that is part of a non-AP multi-link device (MLD) that includes a plurality of affiliated non-AP STAs, wherein the non-AP MLD communicates with an AP MLD comprising a plurality of affiliated APs over a plurality of links;
• wherein to initiate a Quality-of-Service (QoS) setup for a Stream Classification Service (SCS) stream with the AP MLD at an MLD level, the processing circuitry is configured to:
• encode an SCS Request frame for transmission to a first of the affiliated APs of the AP MLD,
• the SCS request frame encoded to include an SCS Descriptor element containing a QoS characteristics element with a direction subfield set to either uplink or downlink indicating a request for creation of an SCS stream that applies at an MLD level,
• wherein the QoS characteristics element is to include a request type field set to “Add” to add the SCS stream,
• wherein the SCS Descriptor element is to include a traffic classification (TCLAS) elements field describing a traffic classification that the non-AP STA is requesting the AP MLD to apply to the SCS stream, and
• wherein the SCS request frame further encoded to include an SCSID to identify the SCS stream,
• decode an SCS Response frame from the first affiliated AP, the SCS Response frame indicating whether the SCS stream having QoS characteristics indicated by the QoS characteristics element has been accepted, the SCS Response frame including the SCSID;
• and
• when the SCS stream has been added, communicate a traffic flow comprising the SCS stream with the AP MLD in accordance with the QoS characteristics;
• and
• encode a second SCS Request frame a QoS characteristics element for transmission to the AP MLD with the request type field set to “Remove” to remove the SCS stream, the second SCS Request frame including the SCSID.