NAN Proxy Device Dynamic Role Switching for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current NAN devices face challenges in reducing power consumption, particularly when using the NAN service discovery proxy function, as they often require constant operation as either a proxy server or client, leading to inefficient energy usage.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device is designed to dynamically select and perform both proxy server and proxy client functions simultaneously, allowing it to adaptively manage its role within a NAN cluster, thereby reducing power consumption by optimizing its active and sleep states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a NAN device operates as a proxy server or client continuously, then the proxy service function is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically switches between proxy server and proxy client roles based on real-time network conditions and power availability. Instead of statically assigning a single role, the system adapts its function dynamically, allowing it to operate as a proxy server when needed and transition to proxy client or sleep state when power conservation is prioritized, thereby resolving the contradiction between service continuity and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs periodic role switching and sleep-wake cycles to maintain proxy services while conserving power. By alternating between active proxy operations and low-power states in periodic intervals, the system ensures service availability while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation
2Use of energy by moving object
If a NAN device dynamically switches roles between proxy server and client, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NAN device is designed with multi-functional capability to perform both proxy server and proxy client roles using the same hardware and software infrastructure. This universal design allows seamless role switching without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby reducing power consumption through role flexibility while limiting the increase in device complexity through resource sharing
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages role transitions by changing operational parameters such as discovery window timing, signal transmission patterns, and state transition conditions. By controlling role switching through parameter adjustments rather than structural modifications, the system achieves dynamic power savings while maintaining manageable device complexity through software-controlled parameter changes
3Productivity
If multiple devices in a NAN cluster operate as proxy servers, then service discovery capability is improved, but overall network power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy server functionality is segmented and distributed across multiple NAN cluster devices rather than concentrated in a single device. Each device can independently operate as a proxy server during its active periods, providing geographically distributed service discovery capabilities while the overall network power consumption is managed through coordinated sleep-wake schedules and role assignment protocols
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for reducing current consumption between proximity electronic devices in a NAN based low-power near field communication network. An electronic device may include a processor configured to: broadcast a first signal notifying that the electronic device can operate as a first proxy server, receive a first proxy client registration request from a first external electronic device, transmit a first proxy client registration response, receive a fourth signal notifying that a second external electronic device can operate as a second proxy server, transmit a second proxy client registration request to the second external electronic device, receive a second proxy client registration response from the second external electronic device, and operate the electronic device as a first proxy client of the second external electronic device in parallel with operating the electronic device as the first proxy server of the first external electronic device.