Enhanced multi-link single-radio (EMLSR) channel access procedure in wireless communications

A method, comprising:

• determining, by a first multi-link device (MLD),
• wherein the first MLD is a non-access point (non-AP) MLD,
• wherein a second MLD is an access point (AP) MLD, and
• wherein the first MLD and the second MLD communicate wirelessly over a plurality of enhanced multi-link single-radio (EMLSR) links,
• that there is an overlap between reception, by the first MLD, of one or more frames from the second MLD on a first link of the plurality of EMLSR links between the first MLD and the second MLD and a frame exchange between the first MLD and the second MLD on a second link of the plurality of EMLSR links between the first MLD and the second MLD in an event that the frame exchange is started upon expiration of a backoff timer regarding the second link;
• and
• deferring, by the first MLD and responsive to the determining, the frame exchange to a time after an end of the reception of the one or more frames on the first link,
• wherein the deferring of the frame exchange comprises:
• conducting a clear channel assessment (CCA) on the second link after an end of the reception of the one or more frames on the first link;
• invoking at least one backoff procedure on the second link upon the CCA indicates the second link as clear for transmission;
• and
• initiating the frame exchange on the second link upon expiration of the at least one backoff procedure.

An apparatus implementable in a first multi-link device (MLD), comprising:

• a transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with a second MLD, wherein the first MLD is a non-access point (non-AP) MLD, wherein the second MLD is an access point (AP) MLD, and wherein the first MLD and the second MLD communicate wirelessly over a plurality of enhanced multi-link single-radio (EMLSR) links;
• and
• a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform operations comprising:
• determining that there is an overlap between reception, by the first MLD, of one or more frames from the second MLD on a first link of a plurality of EMLSR links between the first MLD and the second MLD and a frame exchange between the first MLD and the second MLD on a second link of the plurality of EMLSR links between the first MLD and the second MLD in an event that the frame exchange is started upon either:
• expiration of a backoff timer regarding the second link, or
• receiving a soliciting frame regarding the second link;
• and
• refraining, responsive to the determining, from either:
• initiating the frame exchange on the second link upon the expiration of the backoff timer responsive to the expiration of the backoff timer regarding the second link, or
• transmitting a solicited frame on the second link responsive to receiving the soliciting frame,
• wherein the refraining from initiating the frame exchange comprises deferring the frame exchange to a lime after an end of the reception of the one or more frames on the first link, and wherein the deferring of the frame exchange comprises:
• conducting a clear channel assessment (CCA) on the second link after an end of the reception of the one or more frames on the first link;
• invoking at least one backoff procedure on the second link upon the CCA indicates the second link as clear for transmission;
• and
• initiating the frame exchange on the second link upon expiration of the at least one backoff procedure.