Multi-STA Communication Apparatus State Transition Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication apparatuses with multiple STA functions face packet loss due to transitioning between power states, leading to potential frame reception failures when receiving frames from different APs with varying Beacon transmission timings.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with a reception unit and control unit that manages state transitions based on the timing between receiving frames from different communication networks, preventing transitions to a low power state if frames from secondary APs are received after the initial frame, ensuring reliable frame reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the communication apparatus transitions to a low power consumption state after receiving a frame from a first AP, then power saving efficiency is improved, but frame reception reliability deteriorates because the apparatus may miss frames from a second AP during state transition
Solution Approach 1:
The communication apparatus performs preliminary actions by setting a flag when a frame is received, and checking this flag before transitioning to the low power state. This preliminary check ensures that the apparatus does not transition to a power-saving state if it would cause frame reception failure, thereby resolving the contradiction between power saving and reception reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus uses feedback mechanisms by monitoring whether frames are successfully received from multiple APs and adjusting its state transition behavior accordingly. When frame reception is detected as unreliable during state transitions, the apparatus modifies its power management strategy to prevent such transitions, thus maintaining reception reliability while optimizing power consumption
2Adaptability or versatility
If the communication apparatus operates in parallel with multiple STA functions to connect to multiple APs, then communication versatility is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple power state management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power state management of multiple STA functions into a unified control mechanism. By combining the state management logic into a single coordinated system that shares common power states and transition control, the apparatus reduces the overall complexity while maintaining the ability to connect to multiple APs simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The communication apparatus implements universal power state management that serves multiple STA functions simultaneously. A single power state control mechanism manages power transitions for all STA functions, allowing the system to handle multiple communication networks with a unified approach rather than requiring separate management for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus configured to perform, in parallel, a function for participating in a first communication network to perform communication and a function for participating in a second communication network to perform communication determines whether to transition to a second state after receiving a first frame based on a time period from when the communication apparatus receives the first frame to when the communication apparatus receives a second frame, in a case where the communication apparatus operates while transitioning between a first state and the second state, the second state being a state in which power consumption is lower than in the first state, and in a case where the communication apparatus receives the second frame from a second other communication apparatus after receiving, in the first state, the first frame from the first other communication apparatus.