Centralized Energy Management in Wireless Mesh Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing energy consumption in wireless networks due to advanced features in Wi-Fi generations, such as additional links and higher bandwidth, leads to higher operating costs and increased carbon footprint.
Innovation Solution
A centralized energy management system that considers the topology of a mesh network to adjust power consumption by steering clients away from high-power nodes and transitioning them to lower power states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If advanced features in Wi-Fi generations (additional links and higher bandwidth) are implemented, then network performance and capacity are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by allowing wireless nodes to transition between different power states (e.g., active, low-power, sleep modes) based on real-time traffic conditions and network topology. The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as transmission power levels, listening intervals, and link activation to match actual demand, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining network capacity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of wireless nodes including power states, transmission power levels, and communication intervals based on topology information and traffic patterns. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the network can optimize the balance between maintaining high capacity for advanced Wi-Fi features and reducing power consumption during low-demand periods.
2Area of stationary object
If more wireless nodes are added to extend network coverage, then coverage area is improved, but overall power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic listening and sleeping mechanisms where wireless nodes alternate between active listening periods and low-power sleep periods. Nodes periodically check for traffic destined for them and enter low-power states when idle, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining coverage capability. This periodic action allows the network to extend coverage through multiple nodes without all nodes consuming full power continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
Wireless nodes autonomously manage their own power states based on received topology information and local traffic conditions. Each node independently decides when to activate or enter low-power mode without requiring centralized control, enabling distributed power management that reduces total network power consumption while maintaining adequate coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides methods, components, devices and systems for centralized power management in a mesh network. According to certain aspects, a wireless node (e.g., a root AP or controller entity) may obtain information regarding a topology of the mesh network. The wireless node may then perform one or more actions to adjust power consumption at one or more wireless nodes of the mesh network, based on the information.