Dual Transceiver Wireless Station Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 802.11g wireless networks face inefficiencies due to the need for additional bandwidth to transmit RTS and CTS commands, which reduces bandwidth efficiency and wastes power, especially when supporting applications requiring lower data rates like VoIP, and DSSS modulation has a wider transmission range but higher power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An 802.11g device equipped with both OFDM and DSSS baseband transceivers and a control module that allows it to emulate an 802.11b device, disabling the OFDM transceiver when communicating in 802.11b mode to reduce power consumption and eliminate the need for RTS and CTS commands, thereby enhancing bandwidth efficiency and coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If OFDM modulation is used in 802.11g devices, then data transfer rate is improved, but power consumption increases and transmission range decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic modulation selection where the 802.11g device adapts its transmission mode based on the communication partner's capability. When communicating with 802.11b devices, it uses DSSS modulation; when communicating with other 802.11g devices, it uses OFDM modulation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by selecting the appropriate modulation technique for each specific communication scenario.
2Reliability
If RTS and CTS commands are transmitted in mixed 802.11b and 802.11g networks, then communication coordination is improved, but bandwidth efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary RTS and CTS command transmission steps from the communication protocol when both devices are 802.11g capable. By eliminating these redundant coordination commands, the system achieves direct data transmission, thereby improving bandwidth efficiency while maintaining communication reliability through the underlying DSSS/OFDM protocol mechanisms.
3Area of stationary object
If DSSS modulation is used for wider transmission range, then coverage is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the modulation parameter dynamically based on communication requirements. It switches between DSSS modulation (for wider coverage with 802.11b devices) and OFDM modulation (for higher data rates with 802.11g devices). This parameter change allows the system to optimize the trade-off between transmission range and power consumption for each specific communication scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing power consumption of a wireless local area network is provided. The wireless local area network comprises a first station communicating according to a first version communication standard, a second station communicating according to a second version communication standard, and an access point. The second station has a first baseband transceiver and a second baseband transceiver for respectively communicating packets according to the first and the second version communication standards. A communication mode of the second station, representing whether the second station communicates according to the first or the second version communication standards, is first stored. The second baseband transceiver is then disabled if the communication mode is the first version communication standard. A plurality of packets of the second station are then modulated or demodulated with the first baseband transceiver according to the first version communication standard.