Wireless Mesh Relay Station Power Management via Beacon Interval Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless mesh networks based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, data transmission from a base station (BS) to a relay station (RS) often experiences delays or collisions due to the timing mismatch between the ATIM window and data window, leading to decreased throughput within a single beacon interval.
Innovation Solution
The BS transmits a power saving poll ACK to the RS, postponing data transmission from the ATIM window to the data window, allowing efficient data transfer within the IEEE 802.11 standard framework.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data transmission is performed during the ATIM window, then the data can be transmitted quickly, but collisions occur between data frames and ATIM frames leading to decreased throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beacon interval into distinct functional windows: ATIM window for control frame exchange and data window for data transmission. This segmentation prevents collisions by assigning different purposes to different time periods, allowing the system to maintain both fast transmission capability and high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by having stations exchange ATIM frames during the ATIM window to announce data transmission intentions and reserve resources before the actual data transmission occurs in the data window. This preliminary reservation prevents collisions and ensures efficient subsequent data transfer.
2Productivity
If the relay station wakes up during the ATIM window to receive data, then data transmission can occur, but the station consumes excessive power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the beacon interval structure, where stations wake up periodically at predetermined times (start of beacon interval, ATIM window, data window) to perform specific functions, then return to sleep mode. This periodic wake-up pattern enables data transmission when necessary while minimizing power consumption by keeping stations asleep during non-critical periods.
3Loss of time
If the base station transmits data immediately upon receiving a power saving poll, then response time is reduced, but timing mismatch with the relay station's ATIM window causes delays
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary action by sending the power saving poll ACK during the ATIM window to confirm data transmission intent, then schedules the actual data transmission for the subsequent data window. This two-stage approach maintains timing synchronization with the relay station while ensuring data is transmitted during the appropriate window, preventing delays and maximizing throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay station, a base station, a power management method, and a computer readable medium thereof are provided. The relay station is located within the coverage area of the BS. The relay station comprises a receiving/transmission module and a determination module. The receiving/transmission module is configured to receive a BS beacon in a first period of time. The determination module is configured to allow the BS to transmit a data to the relay station according to the BS beacon, so that the receiving/transmission module transmits a power saving poll to the BS, receives a power saving poll ACK in the first period of time, and receives the data in a second period of time after the first period of time.