Multi-Link WLAN Power Saving Through Dynamic Link Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in coordinating multiple wireless links to achieve increased throughput and latency reduction while minimizing power consumption, particularly in devices with limited link budget.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamic link activation and deactivation mechanisms in user equipment devices (UEs) using Power Management fields in media access control headers, along with PS-Poll, U-APSD, and TWT procedures, to manage power save modes across multiple links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple wireless links are activated simultaneously to increase throughput and reduce latency, then network performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic link activation and deactivation mechanisms where the UE can quickly switch between different numbers of active wireless links based on real-time network conditions and QoS requirements. This allows the system to adapt its resource usage dynamically, activating multiple links when high throughput is needed and deactivating them when power savings are prioritized, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic link activation patterns through mechanisms such as Target Wake Time (TWT) where links are activated in scheduled intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action allows the UE to maintain network connectivity and receive downlink data while spending significant time in low-power states, thereby achieving improved throughput when needed while dramatically reducing average power consumption
2Loss of time
If multiple wireless links are activated simultaneously to reduce latency, then communication speed is improved, but device power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements link pre-activation mechanisms where potential backup links are prepared and kept in a low-power standby state before they are needed. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly activate additional links when latency-critical data arrives, avoiding the time penalty of cold-starting links while not maintaining them in full-power active state continuously, thus reducing latency only when necessary without constant power consumption
3Use of energy by moving object
If dynamic link activation mechanisms are implemented to optimize power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE monitors network conditions, link quality, and power consumption levels, and uses this information to dynamically adjust link activation states. The system receives feedback from the network about available resources and QoS requirements, and adjusts its link activation strategy accordingly. This closed-loop feedback control enables automated optimization of power efficiency without requiring complex manual configuration or user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the UE to autonomously manage its own link activation and deactivation based on pre-configured policies and real-time conditions, without requiring continuous network control or complex coordination with other devices. The device serves itself by making intelligent decisions about when to activate or deactivate links based on its own power needs and network conditions, thereby improving power efficiency while keeping the control logic contained within the device rather than requiring complex external coordination
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates to methods for conducting multilink communications between a user equipment device (UE) and a wireless access point (AP) over a wireless local area network (WLAN). The UE establishes a connection with an access point through a WLAN, wherein the connection utilizes a plurality of links. The UE transmits an indication to the access point through a first link of the plurality of links, where the indication specifies one or more available links of the plurality of links that are available for the UE to receive downlink (DL) communications from the access point. The UE receives one or more DL communications from the access point through at least one of the one or more available links.