Wireless Beacon Signal Coordination for Base Station Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems fail to concurrently implement power-saving functions for both wireless base stations and terminals in infrastructure mode, leading to reduced power-saving effectiveness due to inconsistent data transmission opportunities and inability of base stations to transition to a sleep state.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus that includes a beacon transmitting unit, a period determiner, and a power managing unit, which cyclically transmits a beacon signal specifying a transmission permission period for data transmission and inhibits data transmission during other periods, allowing both wireless base stations and terminals to conserve power by transitioning to a sleep state during non-transmission periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the wireless base station always waits for data transmission from wireless terminals, then data transmission can be received, but the base station cannot transition to a sleep state and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station transitions to a sleep state periodically after transmitting a CTS frame to inhibit terminal transmission. The system alternates between active state (receiving data) and sleep state (saving power), with the CTS frame triggering the transition to sleep state after the inhibition period expires
Solution Approach 2:
The base station transmits a CTS frame in advance to inhibit terminal data transmission before transitioning to the sleep state. This preliminary inhibition action ensures that terminals do not transmit during the base station's sleep period, preventing data loss while enabling power saving
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the wireless terminal transitions to sleep state for power saving, then power consumption is reduced, but the terminal cannot receive data during sleep state
Solution Approach 1:
The base station provides feedback through the CTS frame to the terminal, indicating when data transmission is inhibited and when the terminal can safely transmit. This feedback mechanism coordinates the terminal's transmission timing with the base station's sleep/wake cycles, ensuring data is not lost during terminal sleep periods
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal transitions to sleep state periodically and wakes up to check for data or transmit data during designated periods. The CTS frame's inhibition period creates a periodic pattern where terminals know when to be active and when to sleep, balancing power saving with data communication
3Use of energy by stationary object
If the base station transmits CTS frame to inhibit terminal transmission, then base station can sleep, but the terminal may receive CTS frame before transmitting data reducing power saving effect
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the back-off time parameter in the contention window to control the timing relationship between CTS frame transmission and terminal data transmission. By adjusting this parameter, the base station ensures that terminals have sufficient time to transmit data before the CTS frame takes effect, maximizing the power saving duration
4Productivity
If the terminal transmits multiple data sequentially, then complete data transmission is achieved, but the terminal cannot transition to sleep state immediately due to CTS frame reception
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal transmits multiple data packets sequentially during designated transmission periods and then transitions to sleep state periodically. The CTS frame's inhibition period creates a structured pattern that allows complete data transmission followed by sleep state, optimizing both productivity and power saving
Data Source
AI summary
The first wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a first wireless apparatus on a first wireless network. The beacon transmitting unit cyclically transmits a beacon signal to the first wireless apparatus via the first wireless communication unit. The period determiner determines a transmission permission period during which data transmission by the first wireless apparatus is permitted. The notification unit notifies a control signal specifying the transmission permission period to the first wireless apparatus via the beacon signal. The power managing unit performs control so that power supply to the first wireless communication unit is suspended during a suspension period, the suspend period being a period except both the transmission permission period and a transmission timing period of the beacon signal within a whole period.