Multi-Link Operation and Wireless Digital Twin to Support Enhanced Roaming in Next-Gen Wi-Fi

TL;DR

This paper proposes WiTwin, a centralized digital twin-based architecture for Wi-Fi 7 that enhances roaming and maintains communication quality through multi-link operation and optimal station association.

Contribution

Introduction of WiTwin, a digital twin architecture leveraging Wi-Fi 7 features like multi-link operation to improve roaming and communication reliability.

Findings

WiTwin effectively supports optimal station reassociation.

The architecture maintains high communication quality during mobility.

WiTwin adapts to dynamic network conditions for better performance.

Abstract

The next generation of Wi-Fi is meant to achieve ultra-high reliability for wireless communication. Several approaches are available to this extent, some of which are being considered for inclusion in standards specifications, including coordination of access points to reduce interference. In this paper, we propose a centralized architecture based on digital twins, called WiTwin, with the aim of supporting wireless stations in selecting the optimal association according to a set of parameters. Unlike prior works, we assume that Wi-Fi 7 features like multi-link operation (MLO) are available. Moreover, one of the main goals of this architecture is to preserve communication quality in the presence of mobility, by helping stations to perform reassociation at the right time and in the best way.