Multi-Link Power Management With Timed STA Sleep Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems with multi-link operation (MLO) face challenges in efficient power management, particularly in managing power saving modes for non-access point stations (STAs) in wireless networks, leading to suboptimal energy efficiency and performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing enhanced power management techniques involving signaling with timing information and power management mode indicators to transition non-AP STAs into power saving modes, utilizing frames with link identifiers and timing synchronization functions to synchronize and manage power states across multiple wireless links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If non-AP STAs remain in active mode to maintain real-time communication readiness, then communication responsiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by sending timing information and power management mode indicators in advance before the STA needs to transition to power saving mode. This allows the STA to prepare for mode transition while maintaining communication readiness, resolving the contradiction between immediate responsiveness and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power management by allowing STAs to transition between active and power saving modes based on timing information and communication requirements. This dynamic switching enables the system to optimize energy consumption while maintaining responsiveness when needed, directly addressing the contradiction between continuous activity and energy conservation.
2Measurement precision
If power management mode indicators are transmitted frequently to ensure accurate power state transitions, then power management precision is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management mode indicator is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it indicates power management mode, carries timing information, and triggers state transitions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling messages, achieving accurate power state transitions while minimizing signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges power management mode indicators with timing information into a single signaling message. By combining these elements, the system achieves precise power state transition control without the overhead of multiple separate transmissions, resolving the contradiction between precision and overhead.
3Reliability
If multiple wireless links are maintained simultaneously for redundancy and performance, then network reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the management of multiple wireless links by applying power management techniques at the individual link level while maintaining multi-link operation. This allows selective power saving on specific links while preserving network reliability through redundant link availability, resolving the contradiction between maintaining multiple links and reducing power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method can include establishing at least two wireless links with an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) comprising at least a first AP and a second AP and receiving, from the AP MLD, signaling comprising first timing information. The method can include determining, based on the first timing information, second timing information and transmitting a frame comprising a link identifier (ID) associated with at least one of the at least two wireless links, a power management (PM) mode indicator, and the second timing information. Additionally, the method can include receiving an acknowledgement (ACK) frame, wherein subsequent to receiving the ACK frame and based on the link ID and the PM mode indicator, one or more non-AP stations (STAs) of a non-AP MLD are transitioned, at a time associated with the second timing information, to a power saving (PS) mode.