Near-Field Packet Filtering to Reduce Main Processor Wake-Ups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing short-range communication devices face high power consumption due to frequent waking of the main processor by irrelevant Bluetooth packets during scanning, leading to inefficient use of resources and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a secondary processor, such as a microcontroller unit (MCU) or Sensorhub, to perform packet filtering and control callback frequencies, reducing the need for the main processor to wake up by only sending relevant packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the main processor performs packet filtering during scanning, then service processing capability is improved, but power consumption increases due to frequent wake-ups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processor into two segments: a main processor and a secondary processor (Sensorhub/MCU). The secondary processor handles packet filtering and initial processing, while the main processor focuses on higher-level service processing. This segmentation allows the main processor to remain in low-power mode longer, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining service processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary processor acts as an intermediary between the short-range communication module and the main processor. It receives packets from the communication module, performs filtering based on filter conditions, and only forwards relevant packets to the main processor. This intermediary role prevents the main processor from waking up for every packet, thereby reducing power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If packet filtering is implemented at the short-range communication module, then power consumption is reduced, but service support capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary processor serves as an intermediary that provides software-based packet filtering with greater flexibility than hardware filtering in the short-range communication module. It can dynamically adjust filter conditions and support multiple services without being constrained by hardware limitations, thus improving service support capability while maintaining power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the filtering parameter from hardware-level fixed filters in the short-range communication module to software-configurable filters in the secondary processor. This allows dynamic modification of filter conditions to adapt to different services and scenarios, enhancing service support capability while keeping the main processor in low-power mode.
3Productivity
If the main processor processes all scanned packets, then service processing capability is improved, but device power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the packet filtering function from the main processor and relocates it to the secondary processor. The main processor only processes packets that have been pre-filtered and deemed relevant by the secondary processor. This extraction eliminates unnecessary wake-ups and processing of irrelevant packets, reducing energy loss while preserving essential service processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary processor performs preliminary packet filtering and validation before forwarding packets to the main processor. By conducting this preliminary action, the system ensures that the main processor only wakes up to handle relevant packets, optimizing the balance between service processing capability and power consumption.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A-1
AI summary
This application discloses a short-range scanning method and a related apparatus. The method is applied to a first electronic device, and the first electronic device includes a first short-range communication module, a main processor, and a second processor. The method includes: The main processor sends a first instruction to the second processor, where the first instruction instructs the second processor to perform packet filtering based on a first filter condition, the first filter condition is used to filter a packet from a device of a first service, and the device of the first service includes a first device; the first short-range communication module obtains, through scanning, a first packet sent by the first device; the first short-range communication module sends the first packet to the second processor; and when the second processor determines that the first packet matches the first filter condition in the second processor, the second processor sends the first packet to the main processor. This can prevent the main processor from being invalidly woken up, thereby effectively reducing device power consumption.