Neighbor Awareness Network Control for Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neighbor awareness networking (NAN) techniques for wireless LAN devices lead to increased power consumption and calculation processing, especially when the number of clusters increases, necessitating an efficient method to manage wireless communication states.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with a control unit to recognize joining clusters, a determination unit to assess wireless communication states, and a switching unit to enable or disable NAN operations based on these assessments, allowing for efficient use of the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If neighbor awareness networking operations are continuously performed to recognize joining clusters, then network awareness and cluster recognition capability are improved, but power consumption and calculation processing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the NAN operation state adjustable between enabled and disabled based on wireless communication conditions. The control unit dynamically switches the NAN operation state according to whether the wireless communication unit is connected to a wireless LAN, allowing the system to adapt its resource consumption to actual operational needs rather than running continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of NAN from a static continuous operation mode to a dynamic mode that transitions between enabled and disabled states. This parameter change is triggered by the connection status of the wireless communication unit, optimizing the balance between cluster recognition capability and power consumption based on real-time communication conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of clusters increases due to more wireless LAN devices, then network coverage and connectivity options are improved, but power consumption and calculation processing further increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational complexity by disabling NAN operations when connected to wireless LAN infrastructure. This reduces calculation processing requirements in scenarios with multiple clusters, while maintaining the capability to recognize clusters when operating in standalone wireless direct mode where such connectivity is unavailable.
3Reliability
If NAN operations are performed in all wireless communication states, then cluster recognition is maintained, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing NAN operations only when necessary - specifically when the wireless communication unit is not connected to a wireless LAN. When infrastructure connectivity is available, NAN operations are disabled, providing just enough cluster recognition capability for the actual operational context without the excessive energy consumption of continuous operation in all states.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus performs control to recognize another communication apparatus joining a cluster based on neighbor awareness networking, determines a wireless communication state about a wireless network different from the neighbor awareness networking in the communication apparatus, and switches, based on a determination result, whether to perform the control.