Wireless Discovery Window Synchronization for Latency and Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, the existing discovery window synchronization mechanisms for Wi-Fi NAN (Neighbor Awareness Networking) devices are inefficient, leading to increased discovery latency and power consumption, as devices often wake up during synchronized discovery windows, resulting in missed opportunities for discovery and higher energy expenditure.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a DW (Discovery Window) synchronization mechanism that allows devices to selectively choose and coordinate specific discovery windows for active state operation, using a DW wake-up schedule attribute within discovery frames to synchronize and reduce unnecessary power usage and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices wake up during synchronized discovery windows to enable discovery, then discovery capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic discovery window synchronization where devices can selectively wake up during specific discovery windows based on their operational needs. The system allows devices to transition between sleep and active states dynamically, rather than maintaining a fixed wake-up schedule, thereby optimizing power consumption while ensuring discovery capability when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of discovery window operation by introducing configurable discovery window offsets and durations. Devices can adjust their wake-up timing relative to the synchronized discovery window schedule, allowing optimization between power savings and discovery reliability by modifying when devices become active.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices use contention-based transmission during discovery windows, then discovery flexibility is improved, but discovery latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having devices prepare and buffer their discovery frames before the actual discovery window begins. Devices can pre-process discovery information and have it ready for transmission, reducing the time required during the actual discovery window and thereby reducing overall discovery latency while maintaining contention-based flexibility.
3Reliability
If devices operate in active state during all discovery windows, then discovery reliability is improved, but energy expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by allowing devices to be active during only the necessary portion of discovery windows rather than the entire duration. Devices can wake up partially during discovery windows based on their specific needs, performing discovery operations only when required, thereby reducing energy expenditure while maintaining adequate discovery reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of discovering a wireless communication device. For example, a first wireless device may include a radio to communicate over a wireless communication medium according to a discovery scheme including a plurality of contention-based discovery windows (DWs), the radio to communicate with a second wireless device a discovery frame during a first discovery process, the discovery frame including an indication of one or more selected DWs of the plurality of DWs; and a controller to switch the first wireless device between a power save state and an active state, the controller to switch the first wireless device to operate in the active state in the one or more selected discovery windows to discover the second wireless device during a second discovery process, subsequent to the first discovery process.