Access Point Power Saving With Medium Synchronization Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in maintaining medium synchronization and efficient power saving operations, particularly for access points (APs), leading to inefficiencies and performance degradation during dynamic power saving transitions.
Innovation Solution
The AP is configured to determine the capability to transition between reduced and enhanced operating parameter states during a Network Allocation Vector (NAV) duration, utilizing frame preambles and padding to manage state transitions without losing medium synchronization, and involves communication with stations (STAs) to facilitate smooth transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the AP transitions between power saving states dynamically, then power consumption is optimized, but medium synchronization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The AP sends a notification frame before transitioning between power saving states to inform STAs of the upcoming state change. This preliminary action allows STAs to adjust their medium access timing accordingly, preventing synchronization loss while enabling dynamic power state transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
A notification frame acts as an intermediary between the AP's internal state transition and the external medium access control. This frame carries timing information that mediates the synchronization between AP state changes and STA medium access, resolving the conflict between power saving and synchronization.
2Productivity
If the AP remains in enhanced operating state continuously, then network performance is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The AP periodically transitions between enhanced and reduced power states based on network conditions and traffic patterns. This periodic action allows the system to balance performance and power consumption by switching states rather than remaining continuously in the high-performance enhanced state.
Solution Approach 2:
The AP dynamically adjusts its operating state between enhanced and reduced modes based on real-time network conditions. This dynamic state transition capability allows the system to optimize the trade-off between network performance and power consumption adaptively rather than operating in a fixed state.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the AP transitions to reduced power state, then power consumption decreases, but transition time is required causing latency
Solution Approach 1:
The AP sends a notification frame in advance before transitioning to a reduced power state, allowing STAs to prepare for the upcoming state change. This preliminary notification reduces the effective transition time impact by enabling STAs to adjust their medium access timing beforehand, minimizing latency while still achieving power savings.
4Reliability
If the AP uses NAV duration for state transition, then medium protection is achieved, but channel access time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The notification frame serves as an intermediary that carries NAV duration information to STAs. This frame enables the AP to protect the medium during state transitions by setting NAV values, while STAs can use this information to plan their channel access timing, reducing the overall impact on channel access time despite the added protection mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment includes an access point (AP) that can perform state transitions while operating in dynamic power save, whereby the AP determines that it is able to transition between reduced and enhanced operating parameter states while not causing loss of medium synchronization at the AP and while preventing loss of frames, including by either transmitting a frame to itself to set a duration that is sufficient to perform the state transition or by requesting assistance from a station (STA) in order to perform the state transition, or by identifying an ongoing transmission not addressed to the AP during which the transition can be performed.