Setup and teardown for relay operation in wi-fi networks

A method of wireless communication performed by a wireless communication relay device, the method comprising:

• determining to perform a relay control action comprising (i) setup of a relay connection by which the relay device will relay traffic between a wireless access point (AP) and a wireless non-AP station (STA) over a first link with the AP and a second link with the STA, (ii) teardown of the relay connection, or (iii) advertisement of a capability of the relay device to support the relay connection;
• generating a control message including an indication of the relay control action;
• and
• transmitting, to at least one of the AP and the STA, the generated control message.

A wireless access point (AP) device comprising:

• a transceiver configured to:
• form a link with a wireless communication relay device, and
• receive, from the relay device, a control message including an indication of a relay control action;
• and
• a processor operably coupled to the transceiver, the processor configured to determine, from the control message, that the relay control action is one of (i) setup of a relay connection by which the relay device will relay traffic between the AP and a wireless non-AP station (STA) over the link, (ii) teardown of the relay connection, or (iii) advertisement of a capability of the relay device to support the relay connection.