GPIO Power Management for Network Access Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management methods for network access modules in terminal devices cannot effectively query the low power consumption state of these modules, limiting the terminal device's control over the network access module.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power management method that uses General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) pins to send and receive commands between the terminal device and the network access module, allowing the module to switch between working and low power consumption states, and feeding back its state to the terminal device, enabling the terminal device to monitor and control the module's power state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the network access module enters a low power consumption state, then power consumption is reduced, but the terminal device cannot query the module's state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmodule state information
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network access module automatically feeds back its state (working state or low power consumption state) to the terminal device through a GPIO pin. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the terminal device to query the module's state without requiring the module to remain in a high-power state, thus maintaining low power consumption while providing necessary state information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the terminal device controls the network access module through USB protocol, then communication is established, but state querying is only possible after waking up the module

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidwake up time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a GPIO pin as an intermediary communication channel between the terminal device and the network access module. This GPIO interface enables direct state querying and control signal transmission without requiring USB protocol handshaking or module wake-up, thus eliminating the time delay while maintaining full control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If background software is closed to enter power saving mode, then power consumption is reduced, but control over the network access module is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcontrol capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the network access module to automatically manage its own state transitions and feedback its status through the GPIO pin. The module can autonomously switch between working and low power consumption states based on terminal device commands, and automatically report its state, eliminating the need for background software to maintain control while preserving full control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2938137B1Power management method and apparatus for network access module
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP2938137B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2938137B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2938137B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A power management method and apparatus for a network access module are provided. The method includes: receiving, through a general purpose input output GPIO pin, a power management command sent by a terminal device; enabling a network access module to perform switching between a working state and a low power consumption state according to the power management command; and feeding a state after switching back to the terminal device through a GPIO pin. In the embodiments of the present invention, the network access module may perform power management interaction with the terminal device through a GPIO pin, and may also feed back a current state of the network access module through a GPIO pin, so that it is convenient for the terminal device to know the state of the network access module, thereby enhancing control of the network access module by the terminal device.