Mobile Device External Timing Source for WiFi Power and Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current WiFi applications on mobile devices consume large amounts of power and introduce latency due to their asynchronous nature, impacting standby time and communication efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Mobile devices receive global timing data from an external source to synchronize their operations, determining wake and sleep times to optimize power usage and reduce latency by aligning data transmissions and receptions with synchronized signals from other devices in the unlicensed spectrum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If WiFi applications are run on mobile devices to enable data transfer, then communication functionality is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic wake-sleep cycles where the mobile device alternates between active WiFi communication periods and low-power sleep periods. The device wakes at scheduled intervals to check for messages and perform necessary communications, then returns to sleep mode. This periodic operation maintains communication functionality while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If asynchronous WiFi transmissions are performed, then communication flexibility is improved, but latency increases due to random back-off periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent schedules WiFi transmissions in advance based on predicted traffic patterns and historical data. Instead of waiting for random back-off periods after collisions, the system pre-determines optimal transmission times and prepares data for transmission beforehand. This preliminary scheduling reduces latency by eliminating random waiting periods while maintaining communication flexibility through adaptive schedule adjustment.
3Speed
If mobile devices wake up frequently to check for messages, then communication responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic wake-sleep scheduling where the device adapts its wake frequency based on current communication needs, traffic patterns, and battery status. During periods of high activity, the device wakes more frequently to maintain responsiveness. During low-activity periods, it extends sleep duration to conserve power. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the trade-off between responsiveness and power consumption in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for increasing power efficiency and decreasing latency of communication of a mobile device operating in an unlicensed spectrum using global timing data are disclosed. The method includes receiving, at the mobile device, the global timing data from an external timing source, the mobile device communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, obtaining, at the mobile device, a time from the global timing data, and determining, at the mobile device, a wake time to switch the mobile device from a sleep state to an active state based on the time obtained from the global timing data.