Local Area Network Access Point Energy Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless local networks with multiple access points consume excessive energy as all access points are typically kept active for real-time communication quality evaluation, neglecting electricity consumption and electromagnetic radiation concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves receiving quality indications from the current access point, sending wake-up messages to dormant access points, and selecting the best access point based on quality measurements, while putting unused access points into standby or off mode using wake-up and closure messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all access points are kept active for real-time communication quality evaluation, then communication quality can be continuously monitored and terminals can be seamlessly handed over, but energy consumption increases and electromagnetic radiation is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic state transitions for access points between active and dormant modes. Access points are activated only when needed for terminal handover based on quality indications, and deactivated when not required. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptive - maintaining communication reliability when needed while reducing energy consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic quality assessments instead of continuous monitoring. The network controller periodically requests quality indications from access points and terminals, enabling handover decisions at specific intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action maintains communication quality while significantly reducing the energy consumption and electromagnetic radiation associated with constant active monitoring.
2Use of energy by moving object
If access points are kept in standby mode to reduce energy consumption, then electricity usage and electromagnetic radiation are reduced, but real-time communication quality assessment becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
Before deactivating an access point to standby mode, the system performs preliminary quality assessments by requesting quality indications from the access point and terminal. This preliminary action ensures that communication quality is evaluated before the access point goes dormant, maintaining measurement precision while enabling energy savings during the subsequent standby period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the network controller periodically requests quality indications from access points and terminals even when access points are in dormant mode. This feedback loop allows the system to assess communication quality and make informed decisions about activating or deactivating access points, maintaining measurement precision while managing energy consumption effectively.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for managing communication of a terminal (4, 2) in a local area network (3) equipped with a plurality of network access points (10, 11, 12) and a device for managing a communication (PIL). The terminal (4) is connected to a first access point (11) and able to communicate with at least one second access point of the network (10, 12), distinct from the first access point. The method comprises the following steps on the device for managing a communication: - receiving (E11) a notification (MSG1) of the first access point comprising a quality indication (Q_AP11-T4); - sending (E13) a wake-up message (MSG3) to at least the second access point (10, 12); - obtaining (E14) at least one quality indication (MSG4, Q_AP12-T4); - dependent on the quality indication (Q_AP12-T4), selecting (E17) a second access point (12) to assign to the terminal (1).