IoT Terminal Sleep Scheduling from Gateway Idle Timeslots
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the Internet of Things system, terminals face high power consumption when scanning for idle timeslots to access a network due to limited availability, leading to inefficient network access.
Innovation Solution
Terminals receive idle timeslot information from a gateway, determine a dormancy duration based on the number of timeslots until the next idle timeslot, and wait until that timeslot to send a network access request, reducing unnecessary scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminal continuously scans the gateway to wait for idle timeslot, then the terminal can access the network when timeslot is available, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway performs preliminary action by sending idle timeslot information to the terminal in advance. This allows the terminal to know when the next idle timeslot will occur without continuously scanning, thereby reducing power consumption while ensuring the terminal can access the network when the timeslot becomes available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanism where the gateway provides idle timeslot status information to the terminal. This feedback loop enables the terminal to adjust its scanning behavior based on actual gateway status, avoiding unnecessary continuous scanning and reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable network access capability.
2Productivity
If the gateway carries maximum number of terminals, then the gateway capacity is fully utilized, but the terminal cannot access the network for entire scanning period
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway sends idle timeslot information to the terminal in advance, even when the gateway is fully occupied. This preliminary information provision allows the terminal to understand the waiting duration and plan accordingly, reducing the effective access delay by eliminating unnecessary continuous scanning during occupied periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The idle timeslot information acts as an intermediary mechanism between the gateway and terminal. It conveys the gateway's timeslot status to the terminal, enabling the terminal to make informed decisions about when to attempt access, thereby reducing access delay even when the gateway is at maximum capacity.
3Speed
If the terminal scans frequently to check for idle timeslot, then the terminal can quickly access the network when timeslot is available, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway performs preliminary action by providing idle timeslot information to the terminal before the terminal needs to access the network. This eliminates the need for frequent scanning while ensuring the terminal can access the network quickly when the timeslot becomes available, thus maintaining speed while reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous or frequent scanning, the system transitions to periodic action where the terminal scans only at specific intervals or when triggered by gateway notifications. The gateway's periodic provision of idle timeslot information allows the terminal to synchronize its access attempts, maintaining fast access speed while significantly reducing power consumption compared to frequent scanning.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided in the present disclosure are a method and apparatus for a terminal to access a network, an Internet of Things (IoT) system, and a computer program product. The method includes: receiving idle timeslot information of a gateway to be accessed that is sent by said gateway in a current timeslot; parsing the number of timeslots between the current timeslot and a latest idle timeslot from the idle timeslot information; determining the sleep duration of a terminal according to the number of timeslots; and sending a network access request to said gateway after sleeping until the latest idle timeslot according to the sleep duration.