Path Engine Circuit for Wi-Fi Tethering Latency and Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Wi-Fi tethering technologies experience increased power consumption and latency due to the need for the CPU to frequently wake up and process packet transmissions, leading to inefficient and inflexible packet transmission processes.
Innovation Solution
A packet transmission method and apparatus that includes a path engine circuit coupled with a modem circuit, Wi-Fi chip, and CPU, allowing for direct packet transmission between these components without involving the CPU in every packet processing step, thereby reducing power consumption and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the CPU frequently wakes up to process packet transmission for Wi-Fi tethering, then the packet transmission can be completed, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a co-processor as an intermediary component between the CPU and the packet transmission system. The co-processor handles packet processing tasks that would otherwise require CPU intervention, allowing the CPU to remain in sleep mode. This mediator component specifically processes Wi-Fi tethering packets, freeing the CPU from frequent wake-ups and reducing power consumption while maintaining transmission functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the co-processor to autonomously handle packet processing without requiring CPU intervention. The co-processor independently manages packet reception, processing, and transmission for Wi-Fi tethering operations, making the system self-sufficient for these specific tasks and eliminating the need for the CPU to frequently wake up.
2Productivity
If the CPU processes Wi-Fi tethering traffic, then the packet transmission can be completed, but the latency between software and hardware increases
Solution Approach 1:
The co-processor serves as an intermediary that directly interfaces with the packet transmission hardware, eliminating the need for CPU-mediated software processing. This direct hardware-to-hardware communication path through the co-processor significantly reduces the latency that occurs when packets must be processed through software layers and CPU intervention.
3Reliability
If the CPU is involved in every packet processing step, then the packet transmission is reliable, but the transmission process becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet processing functionality by separating it from the CPU and placing it in a dedicated co-processor. This segmentation allows the CPU to focus on high-level control and management tasks while the co-processor handles the time-consuming packet processing operations. The segmentation maintains reliability by ensuring dedicated handling of packet processing while improving efficiency through parallel operation and reduced CPU bottlenecks.
Data Source
AI summary
A packet transmission method is provided. The packet transmission method may be applied to an apparatus. The packet transmission method may include the following steps. A path engine circuit of the apparatus may receive a packet from a modem circuit of the apparatus or from a Wi-Fi chip of the apparatus. Then, the path engine circuit may transmit the packet from the modem circuit to the Wi-Fi chip, or transmit the packet from the Wi-Fi chip to the modem circuit or a central processing unit (CPU) of the apparatus.