Communication Device Scheduling for Power Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks face challenges in managing multiple devices sharing a limited channel, leading to communication conflicts and inefficient bandwidth allocation, particularly in environments where devices need to conserve power and minimize wake-up times.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for scheduling communication activities in electronic devices to occur towards the end of a communication window, allowing devices to enter a power-save mode after scheduling and transition back before the scheduled activity, with features like synchronization assistance and distributed reservation protocols to optimize slot usage and reduce wake-up frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices frequently wake up to check for communications and synchronize with the network, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic wake-up schedules where devices wake up at predetermined intervals to synchronize with the network and check for communications. This periodic action allows devices to remain in low-power sleep mode between wake-ups, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining communication reliability through regular network synchronization.
2Measurement precision
If devices wake up early in the communication window to synchronize, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but wake-up time increases reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent schedules synchronization activities to occur just before communication activities rather than early in the communication window. This preliminary action allows devices to synchronize at the latest possible moment before their scheduled communication, minimizing wake-up time while maintaining synchronization accuracy for the upcoming communication event.
3Productivity
If multiple devices share the communication channel simultaneously, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but communication conflicts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication channel into distinct time slots and assigns specific time windows for different devices to communicate. This segmentation of the communication medium into allocated time slots allows multiple devices to share the channel simultaneously without conflicts, as each device transmits only during its assigned slot.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic time slot allocation where communication windows are adjusted based on network conditions and device requirements. This dynamic allocation optimizes bandwidth utilization by adapting slot assignments in real-time while maintaining communication reliability through conflict-free scheduling.
Data Source
AI summary
A method to enable scheduling communications activities for an electronic communication device configured to communicate across a communication network is provided. The method comprises the steps of scheduling a communication activity during a scheduling window such that the communication activity is scheduled to occur toward the end of a communication window; entering a power-save mode after the scheduling step; and transitioning from the power-save mode prior to the scheduled communication activity. In one embodiment the method can further include a step of conducting the scheduled communication activity and transitioning back to the power-save mode after a next communication activity is scheduled or be implemented to allow the step of conducting the scheduled communication activity and transitioning back to the power-save mode at the end of the next communication window. In one embodiment the transitioning step comprises the steps of awakening from the power-save mode and synchronizing with the communication network, wherein synchronizing can comprise the step of synchronizing with electronic communication device associated with the communication network.