Network-Assisted Peer Discovery for P2P Battery Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In peer-to-peer (P2P) communication, devices face challenges in discovering other devices of interest within their vicinity efficiently, leading to significant battery power consumption and reduced standby battery life due to continuous autonomous peer discovery efforts.
Innovation Solution
Network-assisted peer discovery, where devices register with a network entity (directory agent) to announce their presence and information, allowing the network to inform them of nearby devices of interest, enabling targeted peer discovery only when necessary, thereby reducing power consumption and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices perform continuous autonomous peer discovery to ensure reliable peer detection, then peer discovery reliability is improved, but battery power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network entity (directory agent) as an intermediary to assist in peer discovery. Devices register with the directory agent which maintains information about available devices and services. The network entity coordinates discovery processes, allowing devices to discover peers more efficiently without continuous autonomous scanning, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining discovery reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous autonomous peer discovery, the patent implements periodic discovery actions triggered by network events. The directory agent notifies devices of peer availability changes, and devices perform discovery only when notified or at scheduled intervals, rather than continuously. This periodic approach reduces energy consumption while ensuring peers are discovered when needed.
2Reliability
If devices perform continuous autonomous peer discovery to ensure complete peer detection, then peer discovery completeness is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The directory agent serves as a centralized intermediary that maintains a comprehensive registry of devices and services in the network. Devices can query the directory agent for available peers without performing exhaustive autonomous discovery. This intermediary approach ensures complete peer detection information is available while eliminating the need for continuous energy-consuming discovery operations at device level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary registration of devices and services with the directory agent before peer discovery is needed. The directory agent pre-processes and organizes discovery information, so when a device needs to find peers, the information is already prepared and available. This preliminary action by the network entity eliminates the need for devices to perform lengthy autonomous discovery, preserving battery life while ensuring complete peer detection.
3Use of energy by moving object
If devices reduce peer discovery frequency to save battery power, then energy efficiency is improved, but peer detection timeliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The directory agent implements a feedback mechanism that actively monitors network conditions and peer availability changes. When new devices join or services become available, the directory agent immediately notifies relevant devices through push notifications. This feedback loop ensures timely peer detection without requiring devices to continuously scan, as they are alerted only when actual changes occur, maintaining energy efficiency while ensuring prompt detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The network entity performs preliminary monitoring and tracking of peer availability in advance. Before a device needs to discover peers, the directory agent has already identified and prepared information about available peers. When discovery is triggered, the device receives pre-processed information immediately, eliminating time delays associated with autonomous scanning while keeping the device in low-power states between discovery events.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for performing network-assisted peer discovery to enable peer-to-peer (P2P) communication are described. In one design, a device registers with a network entity (e.g., a directory agent) so that the presence of the device and possibly other information about the device can be made known to the network entity. The network entity collects similar information from other devices. The device sends a request to the network entity, e.g., during or after registration. The request includes information used to match the device with other devices, e.g., information about service(s) provided by the device and/or service(s) requested by the device. The directory agent matches requests received from all devices, determines a match between the device and at least one other device, and sends a notification to perform peer discovery. The device performs peer discovery in response to receiving the notification from the network entity.