Adaptive Power-Save Mode Management for Wireless Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, especially in crowded areas, the frequent toggling of stations between power-save mode and normal mode leads to reduced data throughput and increased latency due to inefficient data traffic management.
Innovation Solution
A power-save mode management method for stations (STAs) that involves waking up to receive beacon frames, determining if there is buffered data, and extending the wake-up period if data is being delivered to peer STAs, thereby optimizing the waiting time for data traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If STAs frequently toggle between power-save mode and normal mode to receive buffered data, then power consumption is reduced, but data throughput decreases and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power-save mode management where STAs adaptively adjust their wake-up behavior based on real-time network conditions. The system dynamically determines whether to stay awake or enter power-save mode by monitoring buffered data indicators in beacon frames and assessing network congestion levels, thereby optimizing the balance between power consumption and data throughput under varying operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of STAs by modifying their wake-up timing and duration based on network conditions. Specifically, the system adjusts the power management bit settings in data frames and modifies the wake-up schedule according to buffered data indicators and congestion assessment, enabling STAs to operate efficiently across different power and performance requirements.
2Productivity
If STAs stay awake longer to receive buffered data without frequent toggling, then data throughput improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where STAs monitor buffered data indicators (such as TIM or DTIM elements) in beacon frames received from the AP. Based on this feedback information indicating whether buffered data exists, STAs make informed decisions about whether to extend their wake-up period or return to power-save mode, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes power consumption based on actual network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables STAs to autonomously manage their own power-save behavior by independently assessing network conditions and making decisions about wake-up timing. Each STA monitors the buffered data indicators and network congestion independently, setting its own power management bit and wake-up schedule without requiring continuous AP intervention, thereby achieving efficient self-managed power optimization.
3Reliability
If STAs wake up frequently to check for buffered data, then data availability is ensured, but latency increases due to frequent mode switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having STAs check the buffered data indicator in beacon frames before actually waking up to receive data. This advance checking allows STAs to determine in advance whether buffered data is available, enabling them to skip unnecessary wake-ups when no data is present and only wake up when data is actually available, thereby reducing latency while ensuring data availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action through the use of beacon frames transmitted at regular intervals by the AP. STAs wake up periodically to check buffered data indicators in these beacon frames, creating a structured rhythm of wake-up and sleep cycles that balances data availability with reduced latency compared to frequent irregular wake-ups.
4Quantity of substance
If the network is congested with multiple STAs, then more data can be transmitted, but individual STA throughput decreases due to competition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation to network congestion by having STAs assess congestion conditions and adjust their wake-up behavior accordingly. When network congestion is detected, STAs can extend their wake-up period to receive multiple frames in sequence, while in less congested conditions, they can return to power-save mode more quickly, thereby optimizing individual throughput based on real-time network load.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices in a wireless communication network wake up from a power-save mode, receive a beacon frame, determine the received beacon frame is advertising there is buffered data traffic, staying awake for a period of time waiting for the buffered data traffic, determine there is a data frame delivering to another device in the wireless communication network, and extend the period of time waiting for the buffered data traffic in response to determining there is a data frame delivering to another device. Some embodiments extend the period of time when there is a data frame delivering to another device until the period of time reaches a maximum threshold. In some embodiments, the device determines whether the network is going to remain congested and adaptively enters the power-save mode when the network is going to remain congested.