Multi-Link Beacon Synchronization for Low-Power Wireless Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to suppress power consumption in wireless terminal apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

A wireless system utilizing a base station and terminal apparatus that employs multi-link communication across multiple frequency bands, including a base station with multiple wireless signal processing units and a terminal apparatus, utilizing a link management unit to manage and synchronize data transmission and reception across these bands, with power-saving modes and beacon signals for time synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multi-link communication is implemented across multiple frequency bands, then communication reliability and data transmission efficiency are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the communication function across multiple frequency bands (first frequency band and second frequency band) with dedicated wireless signal processing units for each band. This allows selective activation of specific band segments based on traffic conditions, improving reliability through diversity while controlling power consumption by not activating all segments simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base station dynamically manages the operational states of wireless signal processing units across different frequency bands. The system can transition between different operational modes (e.g., active, suspended, powered down) based on real-time traffic conditions, enabling the system to adapt communication reliability requirements while optimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple wireless signal processing units operate simultaneously across different bands, then data transmission capacity increases, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements partial action by activating only the necessary wireless signal processing units based on actual traffic conditions. When traffic volume is low, the system can suspend or power down less critical band units, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining sufficient data transmission capacity through the remaining active units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The base station manages multiple wireless signal processing units that can perform similar functions across different frequency bands. This multi-functionality allows the system to distribute data transmission tasks across multiple units, increasing overall capacity when needed while being able to deactivate redundant units to reduce power consumption during lower-demand periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If all wireless signal processing units maintain active state, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime synchronization accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a control unit as an intermediary that manages the operational states of wireless signal processing units. This control unit coordinates which units remain active for time synchronization and which can be suspended, enabling accurate synchronization through selective activation while reducing overall power consumption by not maintaining all units in active state simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic time synchronization mechanisms where wireless signal processing units can synchronize at specific intervals rather than continuously. This allows units to enter low-power states between synchronization events while maintaining sufficient time accuracy, reducing power consumption while preserving synchronization precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4192132B1Base station and terminal
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 NT T INC
  • EP4192132B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4192132B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4192132B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A base station (10) of an embodiment includes a first wireless signal processing unit (130), a second wireless signal processing unit (140), and a link management unit (120). The first wireless signal processing unit is configured to be able to transmit and receive a wireless signal using a first channel. The second wireless signal processing unit is configured to be able to transmit and receive a wireless signal using a second channel that is different from the first channel. The link management unit stores shared time information (122) for synchronizing multi-links. The link management unit establishes a multi-link with a terminal apparatus using the first wireless signal processing unit and the second wireless signal processing unit, and causes each of the first wireless signal processing unit and the second wireless signal processing unit to transmit a beacon signal including the shared time information while the multi-link is established.