Dynamic Contention Access Period for Wireless Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data transmitting/receiving methods in wireless personal area networks waste power due to extended active periods and unnecessary beacon signal transmission, leading to shortened inactive periods and increased operating time.
Innovation Solution
A data transmitting/receiving method that establishes synchronization between a master and slave device, sets a contention access period, and extends data transmission/reception beyond the initial period if necessary, while reducing beacon signal frequency and eliminating redundant synchronization and header sections to minimize active time and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data transmission/reception is performed within a fixed CAP period, then communication reliability is ensured, but power consumption increases due to extended active periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the CAP period adjustable rather than fixed. The master device dynamically extends the CAP period only when data transmission/reception is ongoing, and allows slave devices to transition to sleep mode when transmission is complete. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining communication reliability during active transmission while reducing power consumption during inactive periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of CAP period duration based on transmission status. When data transmission is complete, the CAP period is effectively reduced as slave devices can enter sleep mode earlier. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the active period length to actual communication needs rather than using a fixed conservative estimate.
2Measurement precision
If beacon signals are transmitted frequently for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases due to continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having slave devices wake up at regular intervals to check for beacon signals from the master device. Instead of continuous operation, devices periodically activate to synchronize, then return to sleep mode. This resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient synchronization opportunities while minimizing active time and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Slave devices use self-service by autonomously determining when to wake up and check for beacons based on their own schedules and the known beacon transmission intervals. Each device independently manages its synchronization checks without requiring continuous master device intervention, reducing overall network power consumption while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
3Productivity
If the CAP period is extended to accommodate data transmission, then data transmission completeness is ensured, but the inactive period is shortened reducing power saving opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the CAP period extension conditional and responsive to actual transmission status. The master device monitors transmission progress and only extends the CAP period as long as data transmission is ongoing. Once transmission completes, the effective CAP period ends and slave devices can immediately enter sleep mode, maximizing the inactive period while ensuring complete data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the CAP period active only during actual data transmission. The CAP period continuously adapts to the transmission duration, extending only when necessary and contracting immediately when transmission completes. This ensures data transmission completeness without unnecessarily extending the active period, thereby maximizing power saving opportunities during inactive periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A data transmitting/receiving method capable of effectively suppressing power consumption includes: establishing synchronization between a master device and a slave device based on predetermined synchronization information that is transmitted from the master device or the slave device; setting a contention access period (CAP) between the master device and the slave device at predetermined timing based on the established synchronization; starting data transmission/reception between the master device and the slave device within the CAP; and extending the data transmission/reception even after the CAP in a case where the data transmission/reception does not end within the CAP.