Wireless Group Owner Absence Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless networks, the absence of a group owner during an absence period leads to inefficiencies due to client devices entering power-save states, causing delays when the group owner returns, as they must wait for client devices to transmit frames to trigger service periods, resulting in unwanted delays and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The group owner configures client devices to select specific power management modes during absence periods to ensure they are ready for frame transmissions upon the group owner's return, using a notice-of-absence mechanism to indicate allowable power management modes, allowing them to remain active or choose a power-save mode, thus preventing delays and ensuring continuous communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If client devices enter power-save states during group owner absence, then energy consumption is reduced, but transmission delays occur when group owner returns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The group owner transmits a notice-of-absence message before actually becoming absent, allowing client devices to advance their wake-up timing. This preliminary action enables clients to be ready for transmission when the group owner returns, eliminating the delay that would otherwise occur while waiting for the group owner's return signal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If client devices remain active during group owner absence, then transmission readiness is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission readinessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring clients to remain continuously active, the system uses a notice-of-absence message to coordinate wake-up times. Clients can enter power-save states and then wake up in advance of the group owner's return, achieving transmission readiness without continuous active operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The notice-of-absence message serves as feedback information that allows client devices to adjust their power management behavior. By receiving this advance notification, clients can synchronize their wake-up cycles with the group owner's return, optimizing both energy savings and transmission readiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If group owner transmits notice-of-absence message, then client device coordination is improved, but network overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclient device coordinationVSAvoidnetwork overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The notice-of-absence message is integrated into existing group owner transmission mechanisms, serving multiple functions: it announces the group owner's absence, provides timing information for client wake-up, and coordinates transmission schedules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate coordination messages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3225058B1Managing operation during absence in wireless network
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3225058B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3225058B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3225058B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This document discloses a solution where power management of devices of a wireless networks are controlled in connection with an absence period. According to an aspect, an apparatus determines at least one allowable power management mode for at least a second apparatus; causes transmission of a first frame indicating the at least one allowable power management mode; and causes transmission of an indication of an absence period during which it is not possible to transfer frames with the apparatus, wherein the indication is provided in at least one of the first frame and a second frame. The first frame configures at least the second apparatus to be ready to communicate with the apparatus at the end of the absence period in a case where the at least one allowable power management mode indicates a first power management mode.