NAN Data Path Termination via Max Idle Period
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) technologies lack efficient methods for terminating data paths and multicast service group enrollments, leading to resource wastage and potential loss of track between devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a termination procedure that includes using a Max Idle Period and activity timers for unicast and multicast services, allowing devices to autonomously terminate data paths and service enrollments, and utilizing termination frames to manage resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices continuously maintain NAN data paths and service enrollments, then connection availability is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path management where NAN data paths and service enrollments are automatically terminated when no longer needed. Devices use activity timers and idle period monitoring to dynamically adjust connection states, transitioning from active to terminated based on actual usage patterns. This resolves the contradiction by making connections dynamic rather than static, maintaining availability when needed while conserving resources when not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables devices to discard (terminate) NAN data paths and service enrollments that are no longer necessary. Through the termination procedure involving termination frames and idle period tracking, devices can safely discard unused connections and recover associated resources such as power, memory, and processing capabilities. This directly addresses the contradiction by eliminating wasteful resource consumption while preserving connections that provide value.
2Productivity
If devices autonomously terminate data paths using activity timers, then resource management efficiency is improved, but complexity of termination procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary actions in the form of activity timers and idle period thresholds that are pre-configured before termination is needed. Devices monitor path activity continuously and automatically initiate termination procedures when predetermined conditions (idle period exceeding threshold) are met. This preliminary monitoring and pre-configured threshold approach simplifies the overall process by automating decision-making, improving resource management efficiency without requiring complex real-time analysis or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The termination procedure is designed to be self-service, where devices autonomously monitor their own NAN path activity, evaluate termination conditions, and execute termination decisions without external control. Each device independently manages its own data paths and service enrollments using locally stored parameters such as max idle period values. This self-service mechanism improves resource management efficiency while keeping implementation complexity manageable by distributing the intelligence to individual devices rather than requiring centralized control.
3Measurement precision
If termination frames are used to manage NAN path termination, then resource allocation accuracy is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential termination information into dedicated termination frames that carry only the necessary data for path termination. Rather than embedding termination logic within complex multi-field messages, the termination function is extracted into specific frame structures (such as NAN action frames with termination subtypes) that convey precisely what is needed: identification of the path to terminate and the termination reason. This extraction approach improves resource allocation accuracy by providing clear, unambiguous termination signals while minimizing communication overhead through streamlined frame formats.
Data Source
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AI summary
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of terminating a Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) path. For example, an apparatus may include logic and circuitry configured to cause a first NAN device to transmit a message including a NAN Data Link (NDL) attribute corresponding to an NDL with a second NAN device, the NDL attribute including a Maximal (Max) Idle Period field to indicate a time period during which the second NAN device is allowed to refrain from transmitting over the NDL without the NDL being terminated; and to allow the first NAN device to terminate all NAN Data Paths (NDPs) over the NDL, if any frame is not received from the second NAN device for at least the time period indicated by the Max Idle Period field.