Wireless Mesh Sleep Mode Control via Virtual TXOP

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power-saving techniques in wireless mesh networks, such as IEEE 802.11e, are inefficient due to significant power consumption during transitions between normal and sleep modes, leading to insufficient power savings.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a virtual TXOP map to determine individual TXOPs and set a virtual TXOP starting from the beginning of a Service Interval (SI) and ending at the last detected TXOP, comparing it with an SI-based value to decide whether to enter sleep mode, thereby optimizing power-saving transitions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If sleep mode is used to save power in wireless mesh networks, then power consumption is reduced, but power consumption during transition between normal node and sleep mode increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpower consumption during transition

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by determining individual TXOPs through listening to ADDT signals and detecting TXOPs within SI before making the sleep mode decision. A virtual TXOP is set in advance covering from the start point of SI to the end of the last detected individual TXOP, allowing the system to evaluate the complete transmission schedule before transitioning to sleep mode, thereby minimizing unnecessary transitions and reducing transition-related power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If frequent mode transitions are performed to optimize power saving, then power consumption during active periods is reduced, but the frequency of transitions increases causing more transition overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption during active periodsVSAvoidfrequency of mode transitions

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring ADDT signals and detecting individual TXOPs within each SI. This real-time feedback allows the system to adaptively determine the virtual TXOP duration and make informed sleep mode decisions based on actual network conditions, optimizing the balance between power saving and transition frequency without requiring fixed or predetermined transition schedules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7783329B2Method and system for controlling sleep mode to save power in a wireless mesh network

Publication Date: 2010.08.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method and system for eliminating inefficiency caused by active-sleep mode switching in power saving through a sleep mode in a wireless mesh network are provided. The sleep mode is controlled using a virtual Transmission Opportunity (vTXOP) according to TXOP information of a one-hop neighbor node. The sleep mode control takes into account a wireless mesh network environment and leads to power saving.