NAN Cluster Power Management via BLE Service Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In neighbor awareness networking (NAN), devices other than the first selected device remain in NAN mode after service discovery, leading to increased power consumption as they cannot arbitrarily deactivate this mode, resulting in unnecessary current consumption.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device method that transmits information to NAN devices in a NAN cluster during low-power-based communication, allowing the deactivation of NAN communication for devices not selected for service, based on the result of service discovery, using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication to control the deactivation of NAN communication for non-service target devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NAN devices remain in NAN mode after service discovery to ensure communication readiness, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic state transitions for NAN devices, allowing them to switch between active NAN mode and low-power BLE scan mode based on service discovery results. Devices that successfully discover services remain in NAN mode, while those that don't transition to low-power mode, creating a dynamic adaptation to actual communication needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different operational states to different devices within the NAN cluster based on their individual service discovery outcomes. Each device independently determines its state (active or low-power) based on whether it found a matching service, creating local optimization rather than uniform state management across all devices
2Reliability
If all NAN devices activate NAN mode during service discovery to ensure service availability, then service discovery completeness is improved, but unnecessary power consumption occurs for devices not performing communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows devices to perform partial service discovery through BLE advertisements before fully activating NAN mode. Devices can determine service availability through partial discovery mechanisms and only commit to full NAN mode activation when necessary, avoiding excessive action for devices that don't need full service discovery
Solution Approach 2:
Each NAN device independently evaluates its own service discovery results and autonomously determines whether to remain in NAN mode or transition to low-power mode. The system enables self-service decision-making at the device level, where each device manages its own power state based on its specific service matching outcomes
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device and a method for service discovery in the electronic device, according to various embodiments of the present document, comprise: at least one communication module; a processor operatively connected to the at least one communication module; and a memory operatively connected to the at least one communication module and the processor, wherein the memory may be configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: configure a neighbor awareness network (NAN) cluster that communicates with a plurality of external electronic devices on the basis of a first communication protocol, through the at least one communication module; in response to a service discovery request, identify a service target device from among the plurality of external electronic devices while operating with the plurality of external electronic devices on the basis of the first communication protocol; and upon identification of the service target device, cause at least one external electronic device other than the service target device from among the plurality of external electronic devices to deactivate at least one function related to the first communication protocol, through the at least one communication module. Other various embodiments are possible.