Wireless Access Point Beacon Management for Station Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication systems cause unnecessary power consumption in stations due to prolonged active mode operation, as they do not efficiently manage the switching between low power sleep and active modes based on traffic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A wireless access point periodically transmits beacons to determine the mode of a station, using a first and second beacon to assess traffic conditions, and decides whether to send a management frame to switch the station between low power sleep and active modes, optimizing power usage by considering packet number and channel state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the access point periodically transmits beacons to determine station wake-up, then the station can respond to transmission changes, but the hardware components stay in active mode for too long and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mode switching between active mode and low-power sleep mode based on traffic conditions. The station transitions from a static active state to a dynamic state where it can switch between operational modes, reducing power consumption while maintaining responsiveness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the station from a fixed active mode to variable modes (active and sleep) based on traffic conditions. By monitoring traffic patterns and dynamically adjusting the operational state, the system optimizes power consumption while maintaining service quality.
2Reliability
If the access point transmits management frames frequently to maintain communication, then the station remains in active mode, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic beacon transmission at predetermined intervals instead of continuous management frame transmission. This periodic approach allows the station to enter sleep mode between beacons, reducing power consumption while maintaining communication availability when the beacon arrives.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point performs preliminary assessment of traffic conditions between beacons and only transmits management frames when necessary. This preliminary evaluation prevents unnecessary wake-ups and keeps the station in low-power mode when no traffic is expected.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the access point monitors traffic conditions continuously to optimize mode switching, then power efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the access point monitors traffic conditions and uses this information to control management frame transmission and beacon timing. The feedback loop allows the system to adapt to traffic patterns and optimize power efficiency without requiring complex continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The station autonomously determines whether to wake up from sleep mode by monitoring for beacons and managing its own power state transitions. This self-service approach reduces the complexity burden on the access point, as the station handles its own power management decisions based on received beacons.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless access point includes a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to access instructions stored in the memory, and execute the instructions to perform following steps: periodically transmitting a plurality of beacons to a station so that the station operates in a low power sleep mode or an active mode based on the beacons, in which the beacons includes two successive beacons; and, between the transmission of the two successive beacons, determining whether to transmit a management frame to the station based on a traffic condition of packets being directed to the station so that the station establishes a mode switching in response to the management frame. The traffic condition includes a channel state and a number or a validity of the packets. The mode switching includes switching from one of the low power sleep mode and the active mode to another.