Host Sleep Mode via Handshake Signals in WLAN Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless network technologies do not effectively conserve power in the underlying host device when a wireless device enters a power save mode, as the host remains in an operating mode even when idle, leading to inefficient power usage.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for controlling the host device in a wireless network that involves communicating handshake signals between the host and wireless devices to initiate or exit from a host sleep mode, allowing the host and wireless device to enter separate sleep modes while coordinating wake-up operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the wireless device enters power save mode, then power consumption of the wireless device is reduced, but the host device remains in operating mode consuming unnecessary power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption of wireless deviceVSAvoidpower consumption of host device

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates power management into two independent but coordinated levels: the wireless device can enter power save mode independently while the host device enters sleep mode only when no wireless devices are active. This segmentation allows granular control where each component's power state is optimized based on its own activity and the activity of connected devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The host device monitors the operational state of connected wireless devices and adjusts its own power state accordingly. When all wireless devices are in power save mode, the host receives feedback and transitions to sleep mode. This feedback mechanism ensures the host only consumes power when necessary to maintain communication with active wireless devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If the host device enters sleep mode to conserve power, then power efficiency is improved, but coordinated wake-up operations become complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiency of host deviceVSAvoidcoordination complexity of wake-up operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Before the host device enters sleep mode, it performs preliminary actions by checking the operational status of all connected wireless devices. This preliminary assessment ensures that the host only sleeps when safe to do so, and establishes the conditions for coordinated wake-up without requiring complex real-time negotiation protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs self-service mechanisms where wireless devices can independently initiate wake-up operations when they need to communicate, without requiring complex host-mediated coordination. The host simply responds to wake-up requests from devices, simplifying the overall coordination complexity while maintaining power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9326233B1Enhanced host sleep for WLAN devices

Publication Date: 2016.04.26 NXP USA INC

AI summary

A host assembly of a wireless device enters into a handshaking procedure with firmware of the wireless device to initiate entry into or exit from a host sleep mode. Before such entry or exit, the handshaking procedure may require the host assembly to send an initiation handshake signal to the firmware, and require the firmware to send a confirmation handshake signal back to the host assembly. Entry or exit may be delayed until after the confirmation signal is received. The confirmation signal may vary depending on the handshaking configuration and activation data, and the confirmation signal may vary depending on whether the wireless device is in a power save mode or not.