NAN Cluster Synchronization Using Reference AP TSF Timer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing proximity services and neighbor awareness networking (NAN) technologies face challenges in efficiently forming and maintaining NAN clusters for proximity communication between electronic devices, particularly in terms of synchronization and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an electronic device equipped with a wireless communication module, processor, and memory, capable of performing synchronization with external devices based on Time Synchronization Function (TSF) timer associated information of a reference access point (AP). This synchronization enables the formation of a NAN cluster, which can be maintained in either a non-master or master mode based on TSF timer information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a master device is designated in the NAN cluster for synchronization, then time synchronization reliability is improved, but power consumption increases due to continuous master device operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic role switching where devices can transition between master and non-master roles based on operational conditions. The master device designation is not fixed but can change, allowing the system to adapt to varying power requirements while maintaining synchronization reliability through TSF timer information exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic TSF timer information exchange between devices instead of continuous master device operation. Non-master devices can enter low-power states between synchronization intervals, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining time synchronization through periodic updates.
2Loss of time
If synchronization is performed before NAN cluster formation, then communication setup time is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional synchronization protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the existing TSF timer mechanism, originally designed for Wi-Fi time synchronization, for dual purposes: both for Wi-Fi network synchronization and for NAN cluster formation synchronization. This multi-functional use of the TSF timer reduces the need for separate synchronization protocols, thereby reducing device complexity while enabling pre-synchronization.
3Use of energy by moving object
If NAN cluster is maintained in non-master mode using reference AP TSF timer, then power consumption is reduced, but synchronization accuracy may deteriorate without a dedicated master device
Solution Approach 1:
The reference access point (AP) serves as an intermediary time synchronization source for non-master devices in the NAN cluster. Instead of requiring a dedicated master device, the reference AP's TSF timer information is used by multiple non-master devices to maintain synchronization, reducing power consumption while preserving synchronization accuracy through the reliable external reference.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device according to an embodiment may include at least one wireless communication module configured to transmit and receive a wireless signal, at least one processor electrically and/or operatively connected to the wireless communication module, and a memory electrically and/or operatively connected to the processor and configured to store instructions executable by the processor. When the instructions are executed by the processor, the processor may perform a synchronization with an external electronic device based on time synchronization function (TSF) timer associated information of a reference access point (AP). The processor may further form a neighbor awareness networking (NAN) cluster including the electronic device and the external electronic device based on a result of performing the synchronization. The NAN cluster may be maintained in a non-master mode based on TSF timer information of the reference AP. Other embodiments may also be possible.