Communication Processor Firewall for Mobile Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication devices, the persistent active data connection for push network services leads to significant battery consumption due to unnecessary operation of the application processor when handling unwanted data packets, even when the user is not actively using the device.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a firewall on the communication processor with a packet filter module and network protocol stack module to perform an initial filter process on incoming data packets, determining whether to transfer them to the application processor, thereby minimizing the need for the application processor to wake up and process unwanted data, even when the data connection is persistently active.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the application processor is kept active to process incoming data packets, then the device can handle push network services and incoming calls, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processor into two separate units: a communication processor (CP) for handling network protocols and basic packet filtering, and an application processor (AP) for running applications. This segmentation allows the AP to remain in low-power sleep mode while the CP handles network traffic, waking the AP only when necessary for actual application processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a firewall as an intermediary component between the network interface and the application processor. The firewall resides in the communication processor and filters incoming packets before they reach the application processor, acting as a mediator that prevents unwanted traffic from activating the power-hungry application processor.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the data connection is turned off to conserve battery, then power consumption decreases, but push network services and other applications cannot function properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the application processor transitions between active and sleep states based on network traffic conditions. The communication processor remains active to maintain the data connection and filter packets, dynamically activating the application processor only when legitimate traffic requires application-level processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The firewall performs preliminary filtering of incoming packets in the communication processor before they reach the application processor. This preliminary action identifies and discards unwanted packets early in the processing chain, preventing unnecessary activation of the application processor and maintaining service functionality with minimal power consumption.
3Reliability
If the application processor processes all incoming packets, then all data traffic is handled correctly, but unnecessary packets consume significant processing power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different packets: wanted packets receive full application processor processing, while unwanted packets are filtered out by the communication processor firewall. This local quality differentiation ensures accurate processing of legitimate traffic while eliminating energy waste on malicious or unnecessary packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The firewall performs preliminary filtering of incoming packets in the communication processor before they reach the application processor. This preliminary action identifies and discards unwanted packets early in the processing chain, preventing unnecessary activation of the application processor and maintaining service functionality with minimal power consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes a communication processor and an application processor communicatively coupled to the communication processor. The communication processor is configured to detect a receipt of an incoming data packet, initially process at least a portion of the incoming data packet in the communication processor to determine if the incoming packet satisfies a first set of pre-determined criteria and automatically enable a transfer of the incoming data packet to the application processor depending upon an outcome of the initial processing of the incoming data packet.