Cancelable NAN Schedule Indication for Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly Wi-Fi networks, face inefficiencies in setup and coordination of direct communication between mobile stations without an intermediate access point, leading to potential unnecessary power consumption due to fixed availability windows.
Innovation Solution
Implementing cancelable and non-cancelable further availability windows (FAWs) in neighbor awareness network (NAN) communication systems, where wireless stations can dynamically schedule and indicate available time slots, allowing for reduced power consumption by canceling unused slots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed availability windows are used for direct communication between mobile stations, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary wake periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed, static availability windows to dynamic, flexible availability windows. The flexible FAW allows the wireless station to adapt its wake periods based on actual communication needs, negotiating with peer stations to cancel unused windows while maintaining reliability for required communications. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible rather than rigid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of availability window flexibility from fixed to variable. By introducing flexible FAW with negotiable cancellation capabilities, the system can modify the duration and frequency of wake periods based on buffer status and communication requirements. This parameter change allows the station to reduce power consumption by shortening or canceling unnecessary wake periods while maintaining communication reliability when needed.
2Reliability
If wireless stations remain awake for entire availability windows to ensure communication availability, then communication reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allowing wireless stations to wake up for only the necessary portion of availability windows rather than the entire window. The flexible FAW mechanism enables stations to negotiate and cancel portions of availability windows that are not needed, waking up partially or selectively for actual communication requirements. This improves productivity by eliminating unnecessary wake periods while maintaining reliability for required communications.
3Use of energy by moving object
If cancelable flexible availability windows are implemented, then power efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to negotiation overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flexible FAW negotiation mechanism with the existing NAN layer-7 application layer communication framework. By integrating the cancellation negotiation into the existing data link protocol and announcement message structures, the system avoids adding separate complex negotiation protocols. This merging approach improves power efficiency through flexible window cancellation while minimizing the increase in system complexity by reusing existing communication infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments, one or more wireless stations operate to configure direct communication with neighboring mobile stations, i.e., direct communication between the wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to NAN datapath scheduling and NAN pre-datapath operation setup and scheduling. The NAN datapath embodiments described herein provide a mechanism through which stations can communicate and provide services. In particular, embodiments described herein relate to the use of cancelable and non-cancelable further availability windows in conjunction with NAN communication.