Beacon Frame Format Signaling for Low-Power Wi-Fi STA Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of Wi-Fi devices increases, the probability of air interface collisions during beacon frame reception rises, leading to increased power consumption and reduced standby time due to the need to receive non-beacon frames and extensive beacon frame information.
Innovation Solution
A communication method and apparatus that includes generating beacon frames with indication information to signal format changes and the necessity of receiving specific fields, such as the TIM field, allowing devices to adjust their reception accordingly, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If beacon frames include comprehensive information and follow standard formats, then information completeness is improved, but power consumption increases and standby time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary TIM field from the beacon frame when there is no data to notify, allowing STAs to skip receiving other beacon frame contents. This extraction principle reduces power consumption while maintaining information completeness for essential functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial reception of beacon frames by allowing STAs to receive only the TIM field when needed, rather than the entire beacon frame. This partial action approach reduces energy consumption while providing sufficient information for power-saving operations.
2Reliability
If STAs receive all beacon frames in standard format, then reliability of beacon reception is improved, but power consumption increases due to receiving non-beacon frames
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses indication information in advance to notify STAs about beacon frame format changes and TIM field presence. This preliminary notification allows STAs to adjust their reception behavior before actually receiving the beacon frame, ensuring reliable reception while reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the beacon frame reception behavior dynamic by allowing STAs to adjust their reception based on indication information. When the indication shows no format change and TIM field is present, STAs receive the full frame; otherwise, they can skip parts, making the system adaptable to current conditions.
3Reliability
If beacon frames are sent periodically with fixed intervals, then network notification reliability is improved, but power consumption increases for devices that need to wake up frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through indication information that tells STAs whether the TIM field is present and whether the beacon frame format has changed. This feedback mechanism allows STAs to make informed decisions about whether to wake up and receive the full beacon frame, reducing unnecessary wake-ups and power consumption while maintaining network notification reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus, and relates to the communication field. In the method, a beacon frame sent by an AP includes at least one of first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates whether a format of the beacon frame changes, or the first indication information indicates a format of the beacon frame. The second indication information indicates whether a TIM field in the beacon frame needs to be received. A STA detects at least one of the first indication information and the second indication information in the beacon frame, and receives the beacon frame based on a detection result. According to the solutions, the STA can receive the beacon frame in a corresponding format based on an indication of the AP, and does not need to detect all possible frame formats. This can reduce power consumption overheads and impact of a non-beacon frame on the beacon frame. In addition, the STA may not receive the TIM field based on the indication of the AP when the TIM field does not need to be received, thereby reducing power consumption overheads.