Cellular Packet Data Subsystem Power State Control via WLAN Signal Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining packet data communication, as both cellular and WLAN subsystems consume power, leading to reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
The device controls the power state of the cellular packet data subsystem by entering a lower power mode when a strong WLAN signal is detected, reducing the frequency of cellular data signal searches and de-energizing systems like modems and power amplifiers, and switching to the WLAN for data communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cellular packet data subsystem maintains high power state for frequent signal searches and data communication, then connectivity reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power state of the cellular subsystem based on real-time WLAN availability and signal strength conditions. When WLAN is available with sufficient signal strength, the cellular subsystem transitions to a lower power state; when WLAN is unavailable or signal is weak, it returns to high power state, creating a dynamic adaptation to environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the cellular subsystem by modifying its power state between high and low states based on WLAN conditions. This parameter change allows the system to reduce power consumption while maintaining connectivity reliability through conditional switching between communication subsystems
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device uses cellular data connection for packet data communication, then connectivity availability is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The WLAN connection serves as an intermediary communication path that replaces the cellular subsystem for packet data transmission when available. This intermediary approach allows the device to maintain connectivity availability through alternative means while reducing the power consumption burden on the battery-powered cellular subsystem
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between cellular and WLAN communication subsystems based on real-time conditions. This dynamic behavior enables the device to leverage the lower-power WLAN pathway when available, thereby extending battery life while maintaining connectivity availability through adaptive subsystem selection
3Reliability
If the cellular subsystem frequently searches for data signals, then network connectivity is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cellular subsystem performs signal searches periodically rather than continuously, and only when necessary based on WLAN availability. This periodic action reduces energy consumption compared to continuous searching, while maintaining network connectivity by resuming full search operations when WLAN conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 2:
The WLAN subsystem acts as an intermediary that handles packet data communication, eliminating the need for the cellular subsystem to perform frequent signal searches. This intermediary role reduces energy consumption by the cellular subsystem while maintaining overall network connectivity through the WLAN pathway
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are described for use in a portable electronic device that includes a wireless local area network (WLAN) subsystem, a cellular packet data subsystem for communicating packet data, a cellular voice subsystem for communicating cellular voice information, and a processing subsystem. In the described embodiments, the WLAN subsystem establishes a connection to a WLAN and the WLAN subsystem then determines the signal strength of the connection to the WLAN. Then, on condition that the signal strength exceeds a threshold, the processing subsystem selects the WLAN subsystem for the communication of packet data to and from the portable electronic device, and puts the cellular packet data subsystem into a reduced power state that reduces the power consumption of the cellular packet data subsystem. Packet data is then communicated to and from the portable electronic device using the WLAN subsystem while the cellular data subsystem is in the reduced power state.