Dynamic Discovery Window Interval Adjustment for NAN Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In proximity communication networks, especially those using Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) standards, electronic devices face challenges in efficiently transmitting and receiving signals due to differing or changing Discovery Window (DW) active durations, leading to potential signal loss and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Each electronic device in a cluster shares and adjusts its active duration information for the DW, allowing for synchronized wake-up states and optimized signal transmission based on power and operational states, using communication circuitry and processors to manage the sharing and adjustment of DW intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If each electronic device configures different active durations for Discovery Windows to decrease power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but signal transmission reliability deteriorates because devices may not be able to receive signals transmitted by others
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of Discovery Window active durations based on device roles and operational states. Master devices maintain longer active durations to ensure continuous signal transmission capability, while slave devices use shorter active durations to reduce power consumption. The system dynamically adapts the active duration of each device's DW based on whether it is in master or slave role, resolving the contradiction between power saving and reliable signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different active duration configurations to different devices based on their roles within the cluster. Master devices are configured with active durations that ensure they can transmit and receive signals at all times, while slave devices use shortened active durations appropriate for their receiving-only function. This localized differentiation allows each device to have optimal power consumption characteristics for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability.
2Reliability
If all electronic devices transmit signals for discovering clusters, then discovery capability is improved, but power consumption increases due to continuous transmission activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal transmission function by designating specific devices as master devices that are responsible for transmitting discovery signals. Not all devices in the cluster simultaneously transmit discovery signals; instead, the transmission function is segmented and assigned to master devices only. This segmentation maintains discovery capability while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to all devices transmitting continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines which devices should transmit discovery signals based on their assigned roles. Master devices are dynamically configured to transmit discovery signals during their active durations, while slave devices do not transmit. This dynamic assignment ensures that discovery capability is maintained through coordinated transmission by master devices without requiring all devices to consume power for continuous transmission.
3Use of energy by moving object
If electronic devices use shortened active durations for Discovery Windows to save power, then power consumption decreases, but the certainty of data exchange deteriorates due to mismatched wake-up times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where master devices transmit information about their active durations to slave devices, and slave devices adjust their wake-up times based on this feedback. The system uses feedback loops to ensure that shortened active durations do not cause data exchange failures - devices receive confirmation that their wake-up schedules are properly coordinated, maintaining data exchange certainty while achieving power savings through optimized active durations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary coordination of wake-up times and active durations before actual data exchange occurs. Devices exchange information about their scheduled active durations in advance, allowing them to pre-coordinate their wake-up schedules. This preliminary action ensures that when slave devices use shortened active durations, they are still synchronized with master device transmission windows, preventing data exchange failures while maintaining power efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device operable in a wireless local area network and a non-transitory machine-readable storage device are provided. The portable electronic device includes communication circuitry to support a neighbor awareness networking in relation with the wireless local area network; and a processor configured to detect, using the communication circuitry, an electronic device external to the portable electronic device; transmit, using the communication circuitry, information to the electronic device, wherein the information includes a plurality of bits indicating an interval between a plurality of discovery windows in which the portable electronic device is to be operated in a wake-up state with respect to the neighbor awareness networking; adjust the interval based at least in part on a power state with respect to the portable electronic device; and transmit another information indicating the adjusted interval to the electronic device.