Distributed Proxy Cache for Mobile Battery Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
WCDMA networks are inefficient for applications requiring frequent, low-throughput data transfers, leading to rapid battery drain due to high power mode usage, especially with the rise of network-initiated applications like push email, as they are designed for high-throughput data and lack proper support for always-on IP connections.
Innovation Solution
A distributed proxy and cache system that optimizes network traffic by aligning requests, caching content, and managing device resources, including a local proxy on the mobile device and a server-side proxy, to reduce the need for frequent data transmissions and minimize battery consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If WCDMA networks maintain always-on IP connections for network-initiated applications, then application functionality is enabled, but battery consumption increases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-fetching data that is likely to be requested by network-initiated applications before the actual need arises. This allows data to be cached locally, reducing the frequency of radio activations and subsequent battery consumption while maintaining application functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining continuous always-on connections, the system implements periodic data transfers and radio activations. The proxy server schedules data transmissions during periods when the radio is already active or when network conditions are favorable, reducing overall battery consumption while ensuring data availability.
2Speed
If frequent data transmissions are performed to support network-initiated applications, then data availability is improved, but battery drain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple data transmission operations into single batched transfers. The proxy server aggregates data from multiple sources and combines them into unified transmissions, reducing the total number of radio activations required while maintaining data availability for network-initiated applications.
Solution Approach 2:
Data is pre-fetched and cached before actual application needs arise. This preliminary action ensures data is readily available when needed without requiring frequent reactive transmissions that would drain battery power.
3Reliability
If the radio remains in high power mode for network-initiated applications, then connection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts radio power modes based on actual network activity and data availability. The proxy server monitors connection patterns and intelligently transitions the radio between high-power and low-power states, maintaining connection reliability when needed while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy server acts as an intermediary between the network and the mobile device, buffering and managing data transmissions. This allows the radio to remain in lower power states longer, as the proxy handles data queuing and transmission scheduling, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system with distributed proxy for reducing traffic in a wireless network satisfies data requests made by a mobile application. The system includes a mobile device having a local proxy for intercepting a data request made by the mobile application. The local proxy simulates application server responses for the mobile application on the mobile device for data requests where responses are available in the local cache. A proxy server is coupled to the mobile device and an application server to which the data request is made. The proxy server is able to communicate with the local proxy. The local proxy forwards the data request to the proxy server for transmission to the application server for a response to the data request. The proxy server queries the application server for any changes to the data request that the mobile application has previously made and notifies the local proxy of such changes.