Tunneled direct-link setup

4.3.12 Tunneled direct-link setup

Tunneled direct-link setup (TDLS) is characterized by the use of signaling frames that are encapsulated in
data frames so that the signaling frames are transmitted through an AP transparently. Therefore, unlike with
DLS, the AP does not need to be direct-link aware, nor does it have to support the same set of capabilities
that are used on the direct link, in order for TDLS to be used. To allow a STA to enter a TDLS power save
mode, TDLS provides two power save mechanisms: TDLS peer U-APSD and TDLS peer PSM. TDLS
allows STAs to use the TDLS Peer Key Handshake to provide data confidentiality and message
authentication. STAs that set up a TDLS direct link remain associated with the AP and transmit frames
directly to the other TDLS peer STA.