AP Sleep-State Link Signaling for Wi-Fi Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Wi-Fi technologies, particularly in the Ultra High Reliability (UHR) band, face challenges in enhancing power-saving mechanisms for Access Point (AP) devices, especially those in battery-powered forms like soft APs and NSTR mobile APs, which often have high power consumption due to non-continuous communication states.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a communication method where APs determine and send wireless frames with identification information indicating target links for which a traffic identifier-to-link (TID-to-Link) mapping mechanism has been established, signaling a suspended state during sleep periods to prevent data communication, thereby conserving power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If AP devices operate continuously to maintain data communication, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by enabling the AP to alternate between awake states (for data communication) and sleep states (for power saving). The AP uses identification information in wireless frames to indicate when it will be in suspended state during sleep periods, allowing it to周期性地 wake up for communication and then return to sleep, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining necessary communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If AP devices enter suspended state during sleep periods, then power consumption is reduced, but data communication capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata communication capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the AP send identification information in advance within wireless frames before entering the suspended state. This identification information indicates to STAs which links will be suspended during upcoming sleep periods, allowing STAs to prepare accordingly. This advance notification ensures that communication can be reliably resumed when the AP wakes up, preventing data loss or communication failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple links are supported for TID-to-Link mapping, then communication versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the communication system into multiple independent links, each capable of having its own TID-to-Link mapping established. This allows the AP to selectively suspend or activate specific links based on power needs and communication requirements. By segmenting the communication into separate links, the system achieves versatility in link management while keeping the complexity of each individual link manageable through the use of identification information to track which links are suspended.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4694365A1Communication method, electronic device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4694365A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4694365A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4694365A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of mobile communications. Provided are a communication method, an electronic device and a storage medium. The communication method is applied to an access point device (AP). The method comprises: determining a first radio frame, wherein the first radio frame comprises first identification information, the first identification information indicates one or more target links for which a traffic identifier-to-link (TID-to-Link) mapping mechanism has been established, and an AP is in a suspended state within a sleep period under the link; and sending the first radio frame. The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mechanism for supporting power saving of an AP.