Mobile Access Point Station TWT Scheduling for Power-Saving Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices operating as soft access points consume excessive power due to being always-on and cannot switch back to infrastructure mode for power-saving, leading to battery drain.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a mobile access point station that operates in an always-on soft AP mode with a target wake time (TWT) responder power save mode, allowing it to switch back to infrastructure mode for power-saving and maintain connections with both associated and unassociated devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mobile device operates in always-on soft AP mode to provide soft AP functions, then associated and unassociated stations can communicate with the soft AP, but power consumption increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of soft APVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device implements periodic wake windows during which it activates soft AP functions to communicate with associated and unassociated stations, then enters power save mode between these periods. This periodic operation pattern allows the device to maintain necessary connectivity while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If a mobile device is turned off after a given period to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but it cannot switch back to infrastructure mode as a station to communicate with an AP

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmode switching capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device dynamically switches between soft AP mode and infrastructure mode based on operational requirements. During wake windows, it operates in soft AP mode to serve associated stations. When no stations need service, it transitions to infrastructure mode to communicate with external APs, and can enter power save mode when neither mode is actively needed. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by enabling mode switching while managing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a mobile device maintains always-on soft AP mode to allow unassociated devices to communicate, then connectivity is maintained, but the device cannot go to sleep to conserve battery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity availabilityVSAvoidbattery drain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device performs preliminary actions by maintaining associations with stations before entering power save mode. Associated stations are notified of upcoming wake windows and can buffer their communications. During wake windows, the device activates to handle communications from both associated and unassociated stations, then enters power save mode. This preliminary preparation allows the device to reduce connectivity availability temporarily while maintaining service quality, thereby conserving battery energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Use of energy by moving object

If a mobile device switches to infrastructure mode to communicate with an AP, then power saving is possible, but it cannot provide soft AP functions to associated stations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsoft AP service availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device alternates between infrastructure mode and soft AP mode in periodic wake windows. During these wake windows, it activates soft AP functions to serve associated stations. Between wake windows, it operates in infrastructure mode to communicate with external APs and can enter power save mode. This periodic switching ensures that soft AP services are available when needed while minimizing power consumption during periods when stations can buffer their communications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12402071B2Apparatus, method, and medium for mobile access point station

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 APPLE INC

AI summary

Some embodiments include an apparatus and method for a mobile access point (AP) station that operates in an always-on soft AP mode where a station is associated with the mobile AP station, and switch back to operate as a station in an infrastructure mode with an AP. For example, in an always-on soft AP mode, the mobile AP station may implement a target wake time (TWT) responder power save mode feature. The mobile AP station may maintain a wake window after a beacon to enable unassociated devices to associate; establish a broadcast TWT schedule for unassociated TWT-capable devices to associate; schedule TWT for associated devices; go to sleep outside of the scheduled TWT of the associated devices; and switch back to infrastructure mode to perform as a station and maintain a connection with an AP.