Multi-Link Wireless Device Power Management with an Anchor Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-link wireless communication devices consume excessive power due to independent and unsynchronized power management of multiple radio links, leading to inefficient power conservation.
Innovation Solution
Implement a low power multi-link operation (MLO) mode where one radio link acts as an anchor link in a power save mode, oscillating between awake and asleep states, while other links are disabled, with traffic information monitored through the anchor link.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple radio links are used for wireless communication, then communication reliability and data transmission capability are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multiple radio links into distinct operational categories: one anchor link maintains active monitoring for control frames and traffic information, while other non-anchor links are completely disabled. This segmentation allows the device to maintain communication reliability through the anchor link while eliminating power consumption from inactive links, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and power usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power management function from individual link control and centralizes it through a single anchor link. By taking out the monitoring and decision-making functions from each radio link and consolidating them in one anchor link, the system can manage power consumption centrally while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple links when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each radio link is managed independently for power saving, then power management flexibility is improved, but overall power conservation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power management functions of multiple radio links into a single coordinated system centered on the anchor link. Instead of independent management that leads to inefficiency, all links are managed through the anchor link's monitoring of traffic information and buffered data notifications, achieving both flexibility and energy efficiency through unified control.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor link serves multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors control frames, receives traffic information, detects buffered data notifications, and coordinates the operational state of all other radio links. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for each link to independently perform these functions, improving both flexibility and power conservation efficiency.
3Productivity
If all radio links remain active for receiving and transmitting traffic, then communication availability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor link performs preliminary monitoring of traffic information and buffered data notifications before activating other radio links. By checking for incoming traffic and buffered data in advance through the anchor link, the system can keep non-anchor links disabled until absolutely necessary, maintaining communication availability while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor link periodically monitors for control frames and traffic information instead of maintaining all links continuously active. This periodic monitoring approach allows the system to maintain communication availability by detecting incoming traffic when needed, while significantly reducing power consumption by keeping non-anchor links disabled during intervals between monitoring cycles.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for managing use of power of a wireless communication device configured to communicate over a plurality of radio links. A criterion is detected, and one of the plurality of radio links is selected as a selected radio link based on detecting the criterion. Operation of the selected radio link is switched from a first operating mode to a second operating mode, and operation of one or more remaining radio links of the plurality of radio links is disabled. In response to switching operation of the selected radio link to the second operating mode, the selected radio link oscillates between an awake state and an asleep state. Radio traffic information for the plurality of radio links is received, via the selected radio link, during the awake state.