Multi-Band Wireless Power Management With Band-Specific Sleep Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices struggle to efficiently manage power consumption when operating on multiple frequency bands concurrently, as they often rely on a single band, which may not satisfy bandwidth needs and lead to inefficient power usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for managing power states in wireless devices using dual or multi-band communication by coordinating power management across multiple bands through frames containing control fields that indicate buffer status and power management modes, allowing devices to transition between active and sleep states based on network traffic and data availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wireless device operates on multiple bands concurrently to increase bandwidth, then communication bandwidth is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments power management control into band-specific components. Each band has its own power management mode (PM0/PM1) and control fields (Frame Control, A-Control) that can be independently configured. This allows the device to selectively activate power management on individual bands rather than globally, enabling multi-band operation with optimized power consumption per band.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the device can transition between different power management modes (PM0 active, PM1 power save) on different bands based on real-time buffer status. The More Data field and EOSP field dynamically control whether the device stays awake or enters sleep mode on specific bands, allowing flexible adaptation to varying traffic conditions across bands.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a wireless device uses a single band to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but communication bandwidth is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the wireless device to perform multiple functions across different bands simultaneously. The device can maintain active communication on one band while entering power save mode on another band, or vice versa. This multi-functional capability allows the device to achieve both power conservation and sufficient bandwidth by distributing traffic across bands with different power management states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different power management qualities to different bands based on local needs. Each band can have its own power management mode (PM0 or PM1) set independently based on buffer status and traffic requirements. This localized control allows the device to optimize power consumption on a per-band basis rather than applying a uniform power management policy across all bands.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a wireless device frequently transitions between active and sleep states to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but network throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the More Data field in the Frame Control and A-Control fields to provide preliminary information about upcoming data transmissions. This allows the device to anticipate when data will arrive on a band and plan its power management accordingly, staying awake only when necessary to receive data, thus avoiding unnecessary sleep transitions that would reduce throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the device monitors buffer status and uses the EOSP (End of Service Period) field to confirm when data transmission is complete. This feedback loop allows the device to make informed decisions about when to transition to sleep mode, ensuring it remains active only when data is actually being transmitted, thereby maintaining throughput while minimizing power consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
Power management operations are performed by devices communicating using multiple bands simultaneously where a first wireless band can be used to send and receive power management control frames for use on a second wireless band of a wireless network. In this way, a device that is in a sleep or dose power management state on a first band can be instructed to enter an awake power management state on the first band based on a communication received over a second band that is currently active and receiving data. Embodiments of the present invention enable power to be conserved when a band is not currently being used, or when there is no more data available (buffered) for a specific band.