Peer U-APSD Power Save Mechanism for Wireless Direct Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current IEEE 802.11 TGz standard does not provide means for multiple wireless devices to enter power saving sleep mode during direct data transfer, as the access point is not available to buffer frames in the direct data transfer link between devices.

Innovation Solution

Enhancements to the peer U-APSD power save mechanism allow two wireless devices to operate in power save mode by reusing the peer traffic indication (PTI) frame, including access category information, number of buffered frames, and sequence number of the last transmitted frame, enabling direct communication without preconfigured times and allowing both devices to be in power save mode simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If direct data transfer link is established between two STAs without AP buffering, then data transfer efficiency is improved, but both STAs cannot enter power save mode simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitting STA sends a Peer Traffic Indication (PTI) frame to the receiving STA in advance, indicating that it has buffered frames to send. This preliminary action allows the receiving STA to wake up at predetermined times, check for PTI frames, and only activate the direct data transfer link when necessary, enabling both STAs to enter power save mode while maintaining efficient data transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If one STA remains in active mode to enable direct communication, then communication availability is improved, but power saving capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving STA wakes up at predetermined periodic intervals to check for PTI frames from the transmitting STA. This periodic wake-up mechanism ensures that communication availability is maintained (the receiving STA will detect and respond to PTI frames) while allowing the STA to remain in power save mode for the majority of time, thus reducing overall power consumption compared to staying continuously active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If PTI frame includes detailed buffer information, then triggering accuracy is improved, but frame complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetriggering accuracyVSAvoidframe structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The PTI frame includes specific buffer information fields (such as buffer status indicators) only in the relevant portions of the frame structure where they are needed for triggering decisions. This localized inclusion of detailed information improves triggering accuracy without requiring the entire frame structure to be complex, as only specific fields contain detailed buffer status data while other fields maintain standard formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2311290B1Power save enhancements for wireless communication devices

Publication Date: 2017.11.15 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

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AI summary

Method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed to enable power save modes of operation between wireless devices for direct data transfer in an infrastructure basic service set. The embodiments are an enhancement to the peer U-APSD 5 power save mechanism. The embodiments provide additional operation for peer U-APSD mechanism with two stations operating in power save mode.