MAC Sublayer Device Profile Index for IoT Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies, such as IEEE 802.11v, are not optimized for IoT devices with limited resources and memory, leading to inefficiencies in power saving features and data transmission, particularly in applications requiring low power consumption and extended battery life.

Innovation Solution

A device profile mechanism is implemented in the MAC sublayer logic to facilitate access to device profiles through a device profile index element, enabling efficient power saving features and QoS-related traffic classification in IoT devices, even with limited resources, by storing and transmitting device profiles in frames and using indexes for lookup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If existing wireless communication technologies (IEEE 802.11v) are used, then communication functionality is provided, but power consumption is high and battery life is limited due to lack of optimization for IoT devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device profile is segmented into an index element (stored in the IoT device) and the full profile data (stored in the access point). The index contains only essential identification information, allowing the device to operate with minimal stored data while maintaining full communication functionality through on-demand profile retrieval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of storing the entire device profile in the IoT device, a simplified copy (the index) is stored locally. This index contains sufficient information to identify and retrieve the complete profile from the access point when needed, significantly reducing memory requirements and power consumption while preserving full functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If device profiles are stored and transmitted in frames with indexes, then access to device profiles is facilitated for IoT devices with limited resources, but device complexity increases due to the profile mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to device profilesVSAvoidprofile mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex profile management functionality is extracted from the IoT device and relocated to the access point. The device only retains a simple index, while the access point handles profile storage, retrieval, and management, simplifying the device structure while maintaining ease of profile access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The profile index acts as an intermediary between the IoT device and the complete device profile stored in the access point. This index enables efficient lookup and retrieval of profile information without requiring the device to store or process the entire profile, reducing complexity while facilitating access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If IEEE 802.11v technology is used, then wireless communication is enabled, but network congestion occurs and power consumption increases due to inefficient data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of transmitting or storing complete device profiles, only the essential index information is handled by the IoT device. This partial action approach transmits minimal data locally while relying on the access point for complete profile management, reducing network congestion and power consumption while maintaining transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2754277B1Methods and arrangements for device profiles in wireless networks
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 INTEL CORP
  • EP2754277B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2754277B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2754277B1 patent drawingFigure 1D

AI summary

Embodiments provide a device profile mechanism for wireless devices. Many embodiments comprise a medium access control (MAC) sublayer logic to build frames comprising a device profile index element for a first device. Embodiments may facilitate access by a second device to a device profile for the first device without communication of the entire device profile from the first device. In some embodiments, the second device may access a storage medium integrated with or accessible to the second device to determine the device profile. Some embodiments may store the device profile index element in memory, in logic, or in another manner that facilitates transmission of the device profile index element in frames. Some embodiments may receive and detect communications with the device profile index element. Further embodiments may generate and transmit a communication with the device profile index element.