Multi-Link Device Power Saving via Grouped Doze States

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless local area networks (WLANs), especially in the context of the emerging extreme high throughput (EHT) standard, there is a need for efficient power saving mechanisms that allow access points to manage power states across multiple links, optimizing power consumption while maintaining high data rates and throughput.

Innovation Solution

A method where a multi-link device receives physical layer protocol units (PPDUs) with group identifiers and power saving periods, allowing it to classify links and transition stations to a doze state based on assigned power saving periods, thereby reducing overhead and enhancing link usage efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a multi-link device operates all links continuously to maintain high data rates, then throughput is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the multi-link device into multiple independent links, each capable of operating autonomously in different states (active or doze). This segmentation allows the device to optimize power consumption by placing individual links in doze state when not needed, while maintaining other links in active state for data transmission, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining high throughput and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic power saving operations where links alternately switch between active and doze states based on scheduled periods. The target STA is configured with specific doze periods for different links, allowing the device to periodically activate links only when data transmission is required, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining productivity through periodic data transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Device complexity

If power saving periods are uniformly applied across all links, then device complexity is reduced, but power saving effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower saving configurationVSAvoidpower saving effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different power saving configurations to different links based on their specific characteristics and requirements. Each link can have its own doze period, active period, and power saving mode configured independently. This local quality approach allows the system to optimize power saving effectiveness for each link individually while maintaining manageable device complexity through standardized configuration mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20230083599A1Technique for performing multi-link communication in wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2023.03.16 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

According to various embodiments, a multi-link device (MLD) operating in a plurality of links may receive information regarding a plurality of groups into which the plurality of links are classified. The information regarding the plurality of groups may include information regarding IDs allocated to the plurality of groups and information regarding power saving (PS) intervals allocated to the plurality of groups. The multi-link device may change, on the basis of the information regarding the plurality of groups, at least one STA included in the multi-link device to be in a doze state.