Access Point Wake Up via BLE SoC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networking devices, such as access points (APs), face challenges in rapidly waking up from power save mode to restore connectivity due to lack of synchronization between stations and APs, leading to delayed restoration of service.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) system-on-chip (SoC) within the AP that remains powered on during power save mode, allowing for timely wake-up indications via a timer, mobile device, or additional devices, enabling rapid restoration of connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the AP enters power save mode to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but connectivity restoration is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The AP is segmented into two independent parts: the main AP subsystem that enters power save mode, and the BLE SoC that remains active. This segmentation allows the AP to save energy while maintaining a responsive component that can quickly restore connectivity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The BLE SoC acts as an intermediary between the power save mode AP and the network. It receives wake-up indications and facilitates rapid reconnection without requiring the main AP subsystem to remain fully powered, thus reducing both energy consumption and reconnection time.
2Reliability
If the AP remains fully powered on to maintain connectivity, then connectivity restoration is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the AP functionality into a main subsystem that can be powered down and a BLE SoC that remains powered on. This segmentation enables the AP to maintain connectivity capability through the BLE SoC while consuming significantly less energy than if the entire AP remained active.
Solution Approach 2:
The AP alternates between power save mode and active mode in periodic cycles. The BLE SoC enables rapid transitions between these states, allowing the AP to spend most time in low-power mode while quickly restoring connectivity when activated, thus achieving periodic operation that balances energy consumption and reliability.
3Speed
If the AP wakes up rapidly from power save mode, then connectivity restoration is improved, but synchronization between stations and AP is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The BLE SoC serves as an intermediary that handles the wake-up signaling and coordination. It receives wake-up indications and manages the transition process, ensuring that synchronization between stations and AP is maintained or quickly re-established during the rapid wake-up transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The BLE SoC performs preliminary actions by monitoring for wake-up indications and preparing the AP for rapid activation. This preliminary monitoring and preparation ensures that when wake-up is triggered, the transition is both rapid and maintains synchronization, as the BLE SoC has already coordinated with the network infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations relate to an access point (AP) that can via up from power save mode via a including Bluetooth low energy (BLE) system-on-chip (SoC) within the AP. The AP can include a power source, a power reset logic component in communication with the power source, a BLE SoC, a processor, and a non-transitory memory resource instructions executable by the processor that signals the AP is in a power save mode, receives an indication, via the BLE SoC, to wake up the AP, and wake up, via the BLE SoC, the AP in response to receiving the indication.