Adaptive NAN Data Interface Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Neighbor awareness networking (NAN) devices consume significant power due to the need to remain active during idle periods, as they must be available for data communications during scheduled slots even when not transmitting or receiving data, leading to inefficient power usage.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method to dynamically update the NAN device link (NDL) schedule based on measured congestion and throughput, adjusting the number of available slots within a discovery window interval, using metrics such as covariance and standard deviation to optimize power consumption by reducing idle durations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NAN devices remain active during scheduled slots to be available for data communications, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NDL schedule is made dynamic by allowing NAN devices to update the number of available slots based on measured congestion and throughput. The schedule adapts to changing channel conditions, reducing the number of slots when congestion is high or throughput is low, thereby reducing idle listening time and power consumption while maintaining sufficient communication availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the NDL schedule (number of available slots) based on measured channel conditions. By adjusting this parameter dynamically according to congestion levels and throughput, the system optimizes the balance between communication reliability and power consumption, avoiding unnecessary active listening during periods of poor channel conditions.
2Productivity
If the NDL schedule includes more available slots, then data transmission capacity is improved, but idle time and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by measuring congestion and throughput during each NAN slot and using this information to update the NDL schedule. This closed-loop control allows the system to adjust the number of available slots based on actual channel conditions, ensuring sufficient transmission capacity when conditions are good while reducing idle time and power consumption when conditions are poor.
Solution Approach 2:
The NDL schedule transitions from a static to a dynamic configuration, where the number of available slots is adjusted in real-time based on measured performance metrics. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the trade-off between transmission capacity and power consumption by matching the schedule to actual channel conditions.
3Reliability
If NAN devices actively listen during all scheduled slots, then data reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of actively listening during all scheduled slots, the system applies partial action by adjusting the number of listening slots based on measured conditions. When congestion is high or throughput is low, fewer slots are allocated for listening, reducing power consumption while maintaining sufficient reception reliability when channel conditions warrant it.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides methods, devices and systems for reducing power consumption in neighbor awareness networking (NAN) devices. Some implementations more specifically relate to dynamically adjusting a NAN device link (NDL) schedule to reduce the idle duration of a NAN data interface (NDI). The NDL schedule identifies a number of NAN slots, per discovery window (DW) interval, during which an NDL is available for data communications between NAN devices. In some aspects, a NAN device may measure congestion on the wireless channel during each NAN slot within a DW interval and may dynamically update the NDL schedule based on the measured congestion. In some other aspects, a NAN device may measure throughput on the NDL during each NAN slot within a DW interval and may dynamically update the NDL schedule based on the measured throughput.