AP RF Chain Power Saving for Multi-Link Wireless Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless device power management schemes fail to provide clear procedures for access points (APs) to enter sleep modes effectively, especially when stations (STAs) support individual target wake times (TWTs), and there is a lack of defined power management for APs with multiple RF chains and unclear methods for APs to save power by not decoding frames not addressed to them.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic spatial multiplexing (SM) power save mechanism and intra-PPDU power save mechanism for APs, allowing them to power down all but one radio for medium listening, and defining power management modes with TWTs to enter doze states when not communicating, along with methods for APs to request wake-up from sleep.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an AP with multiple RF chains remains always ready to receive frames, then reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the AP's RF chains into multiple independent units that can be independently controlled. Each RF chain can be activated or deactivated based on whether frames are expected, allowing the AP to maintain reception capability for multiple BSSIDs while reducing power consumption by keeping only necessary RF chains active.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the AP can switch between different power states (awake, doze, deep sleep) and dynamically activate or deactivate RF chains based on traffic conditions and BSSID-specific requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between reliability and power consumption in real-time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an AP supports multiple BSSIDs with different power save requirements, then service versatility is improved, but power management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent associates each BSSID with specific RF chains, allowing independent power management for each BSSID. This segmentation enables the AP to apply different power save modes and wake schedules to different BSSIDs, supporting diverse service requirements while simplifying management through BSSID-specific configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal power management framework that handles multiple BSSIDs with different requirements through a common set of mechanisms (TFE, wake requests, RF chain activation). This multi-functional approach allows the same power management infrastructure to serve diverse BSSID scenarios without requiring separate management systems for each BSSID.
3Reliability
If an AP decodes all received PPDUs to check for addressed frames, then frame delivery accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and checks only the essential identification information (BSSID, RA fields) from PPDUs without performing complete decoding. By taking out only the critical addressing fields for quick comparison, the AP can rapidly determine whether a PPDU is intended for it, maintaining delivery accuracy while significantly reducing processing time for unrelated frames.
4Use of energy by moving object
If an AP enters doze state to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but wake-up responsiveness worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions before the AP enters doze state, including setting up wake-up triggers, configuring RF chain activation schedules, and establishing TFE (Traffic Forecasting Engine) parameters. These preliminary configurations enable the AP to wake up rapidly and immediately resume normal operation when traffic is detected, reducing both power consumption and wake-up latency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing power in a first wireless device associated with an additional wireless device includes receiving power management information for a first link of the first wireless device via any of a plurality of links of the first wireless device. Power consumption of the first link of the first wireless device is then managed, based on the power management information that was received from any of the links.