Methods, devices and computer program for scheduling triggering of ambient power (amp) stations

Abstract

A wireless network (e.g. an ambient power 802.11 WLAN) comprising an ambient power access point, AMP AP, and at least one ambient power station, AMP STA. After the AP obtains a charging parameter of the AMP STA, the AP triggers the AMP STA for data transmission based on the obtained parameter. The AP determines a time period for the AMP STA to reach a given level of charge, based on the charging parameter, wherein the triggering for data transmission is done based on the time period to reach a given level of charge. The charging parameter comprises characteristics of a power storage unit of the AMP STA. The AP emits and / or triggers emission of a power signal for charging the AMP STA, determining a time period and / or a power level of the power signal, based on the obtained parameter. The AMP station receives from the AP a request for data transmission, and determines from the request, a time at which data is to be transmitted. The AMP station harvests power from a power signal being received during the determined time period; and further receives the next request for data transmission; and transmits data and the next current charging parameter. The AMP station determines a current harvesting power amount, wherein the current charging parameter comprises the determined current harvesting power amount. The AMP station may enter a power save mode, during a period of time determined based on the time at which data is to be transmitted.

Claims

1. A communication method for a wireless network comprising an access point, AP, and at least one ambient power, AMP, station, STA, the method comprising, in the AP:obtaining a charging parameter of the at least one AMP STA; andtriggering the at least one AMP STA for data transmission based on the obtained parameter.

2. The communication method of claim 1, further comprising determining a time period for the at least one AMP STA to reach a given level of charge, based on the charging parameter, wherein the triggering for data transmission is done based on the time period for the at least one AMP STA to reach a given level of charge.

3. The communication method of claim 2, wherein the given level of charge is a charging level required for the at least one AMP STA to receive and process a request for data transmission and to transmit the data, the triggering for data transmission being carried out so that data transmission occurs at or after a time at which the at least one AMP STA reaches the given level of charge.

4. The communication method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the given level of charge is determined based on a percentage of a time period needed for the at least one AMP STA to be fully charged.

5. The communication method of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising emitting and / or triggering an emission of a power signal for charging the at least one AMP STA.

6. The communication method of claim 5, further comprising determining a time period and / or a power level of the power signal, based on the obtained parameter.

7. The communication method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the obtaining comprises obtaining characteristics of a power storage unit of the at least one AMP STA and / or obtaining current charging characteristics of the power storage unit.

8. The communication method of claim 7, further comprising receiving data and current charging characteristics of the power storage unit in response to the triggering.

9. The communication method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the obtaining is carried out for a plurality of AMP STAs, the method further comprising triggering the plurality of AMP STAs by sending a trigger frame containing a sequence scheduling the AMP STAs to transmit data.

10. The communication method of claim 9, wherein the triggering the plurality of AMPSTAs is carried out once each AMP STA of the plurality of AMP STAs reaches a givenlevel of charge.

11. The communication method of claim 9, wherein the triggering the plurality of AMPSTAs is carried out after a first AMP STA of the plurality of AMP STAs reaches a givenlevel of charge.

12. The communication method of any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising determining the sequence, based on an obtained charging parameter of each AMP STA of the plurality of AMP STAs.

13. A communication method for a wireless network comprising an access point, AP, and at least one ambient power, AMP, station, STA, the method comprising, in the at least one AMP STA, transmitting a charging parameter of the at least one AMP STA to the AP.

14. The communication method of claim 13, wherein the charging parameter comprises characteristics of a power storage unit of the at least one AMP STA.

15. The communication method of claim 14, further comprising receiving, from the AP, a request for data transmission and determining, from the request, a time at which data are to be transmitted, current charging parameter of the at least one AMP STA being transmitted along with the data at the time at which data are to be transmitted, the current charging parameter comprising current charging characteristics of a power storage unit of the at least one AMP STA.

16. The communication method of claim 15, further comprising entering within a power save mode, during a period of time determined based on the time at which data are to be transmitted.

17. The communication method of claim 15 or 16, further comprising determining a time period for the at least one AMP STA to reach a given level of charge, wherein the given level of charge makes it possible to receive and process a next request for data transmission and to transmit data and a next current charging parameter and wherein the current charging parameter comprises the determined time period.

18. The communication method of claim 17, further comprisingharvesting power from a power signal, the power signal being received during at least the determined time period;receiving the next request for data transmission; andtransmit data and the next current charging parameter.

19. The communication method of any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising determining a current harvesting power amount, wherein the current charging parameter comprises the determined current harvesting power amount.

20. A wireless communication device comprising at least one microprocessor configured 5 to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program which, when executed by a microprocessor or computer system in a wireless device, causes the wireless device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19.10

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