Multi-band Wireless Station Wake-up Schedule Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless networks face challenges in optimizing the use of multiple channels for communication between wireless stations, particularly when higher frequency channels are not always available, leading to inefficiencies in transmission rates and power consumption due to the need for repeated attempts to establish connections with stations in sleep mode.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-band wireless communication system that includes a first and second frequency band, with a medium access control (MAC) layer capable of transmitting and receiving wake-up schedules on the first frequency band, allowing stations to share and adjust wake-up schedules across bands to efficiently switch between low-rate and high-rate channels based on availability and power-saving modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a higher frequency channel is used for wireless communication, then transmission rate is improved, but channel availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between high-rate and low-rate channels based on availability. The MAC layer monitors channel conditions and transitions stations between sleep mode and active mode, selecting appropriate frequency bands (60 GHz or 2.4/5 GHz) to maintain communication when high-rate channels are unavailable
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is divided into two independent channel segments: a high-rate channel (60 GHz) for high-speed data transmission and a low-rate channel (2.4/5 GHz) for control and fallback communication. This segmentation allows the system to use the high-rate channel when available while maintaining reliability through the low-rate channel
2Use of energy by moving object
If stations remain in sleep mode to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but connection establishment efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The MAC layer performs preliminary actions by establishing a pre-established wireless link on the low-rate channel before high-rate communication is needed. Wake-up schedules are pre-coordinated and exchanged, allowing stations to quickly transition from sleep mode to active mode without lengthy connection establishment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The low-rate channel acts as an intermediary that maintains a persistent wireless link between stations even when they are sleeping on the high-rate channel. This intermediary link enables efficient wake-up coordination and rapid reconnection when stations need to communicate on the high-rate channel
3Use of energy by moving object
If wake-up schedules are coordinated through MAC layer signaling, then power saving is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MAC layer is designed with multi-functionality, handling both traditional frame transmission and the additional function of wake-up schedule coordination. The same MAC layer infrastructure used for data transmission is also used to exchange wake-up schedule information, avoiding the need for separate signaling mechanisms and minimizing additional complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for wireless communication over multi-rate channels are disclosed. One embodiment of the system operates on wake-up schedules for power saving. The system includes a first multi-band wireless station that is capable of using a first frequency band and a second frequency band for wireless communication; and a second multi-band wireless station that is capable of using the first frequency band and the second frequency band for wireless communication. One or more of the first and second stations is configured to maintain therein one or more wake-up schedules on the second frequency band of one or more of the first station, the second station, and an access point. The first and second stations are configured to share the one or more wake-up schedules with each other via the first frequency band. The system allows the stations to effectively associate with each other, thereby saving power.