NAN Scanning Suppression for Mobile Power Savings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current neighborhood awareness networking (NAN) devices continuously transmit and scan for discovery beacon frames, resulting in significant power consumption, accounting for approximately 50% of a mobile device's average power usage over a day.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an alternate scanning protocol that suppresses NAN scanning until a NAN transmission is detected, using a communication device with both a NAN scanning module and an alternate scanning module to reduce power usage by discontinuing unsuppressed scanning when no transmissions are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NAN devices continuously transmit and scan for discovery beacon frames, then NAN devices can reliably detect nearby NAN devices, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic scanning instead of continuous scanning. The device scans for NAN transmissions only during specific time windows (e.g., every 10 seconds) rather than continuously, which reduces power consumption while maintaining detection capability. The scanning device alternates between scanning and non-scanning periods, achieving energy efficiency without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of scanning behavior based on detected transmissions. When a NAN transmission is detected, the device dynamically switches to suppressed scanning mode; when no transmissions are detected for a certain period, it resumes normal scanning. This dynamic adaptation optimizes power consumption based on actual network conditions.
2Productivity
If NAN devices continuously scan for discovery beacon frames, then nearby NAN devices can be discovered, but power consumption accounts for 50% of average daily usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces continuous scanning with periodic scanning at optimized intervals. By scanning only at specific moments (e.g., every 10 seconds) rather than continuously, the system maintains sufficient discovery rate while reducing power consumption from 50% of daily usage to a much lower level.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning device monitors its own scanning results and automatically adjusts its behavior. When no NAN transmissions are detected during a scanning period, the device self-regulates by suppressing further scanning until a transmission is detected, eliminating wasted scanning cycles and associated power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If NAN scanning is suppressed to save power, then power consumption decreases, but the ability to detect nearby NAN devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the scanning device monitors detected transmissions and uses this information to control scanning behavior. When NAN transmissions are detected, the device receives feedback and suppresses scanning; when no transmissions are detected, it resumes scanning. This feedback loop ensures detection capability is maintained when needed while saving power when unnecessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts scanning intensity based on real-time conditions. The scanning device transitions between suppressed and active scanning states based on whether NAN transmissions are detected, creating a dynamic balance between power consumption and detection capability that adapts to actual network presence.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus includes a NAN communication device suppressing NAN scanning and scanning using an alternate scanning protocol while suppressing NAN scanning. The method additionally includes detecting a transmission from another communication device while scanning using the alternate scanning protocol and determining the detected transmission is a NAN transmission. The method further includes discontinuing suppressing NAN scanning in response to detecting the NAN transmission.