Piggyback Acknowledgement for Wireless Energy Conservation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication devices face limitations due to the finite energy storage capacity of wireless power sources, such as batteries, necessitating power conservation techniques to extend battery life.
Innovation Solution
Implementing piggyback acknowledgement signaling in combination with power save mechanisms like VoIP Aware Power Save (VAP), Unscheduled Asynchronous Power Save Delivery (U-APSD), and Scheduled Asynchronous Power Save Delivery (S-APSD) to reduce the number of frames exchanged per VoIP packet exchange, thereby conserving energy by combining payload data with acknowledgments in a single data packet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate acknowledgment frames are sent for each data packet, then reliable data transmission is ensured, but the number of frames exchanged increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the acknowledgment frame with data frames by piggybacking acknowledgment bits on existing data transmissions. Instead of sending separate acknowledgment packets, the receiver embeds acknowledgment information within outgoing data frames, reducing the total number of frames exchanged while maintaining reliable data transmission confirmation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes data frames serve multiple functions: they simultaneously carry payload data and acknowledgment information for previously received packets. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated acknowledgment frames, reducing communication overhead and energy consumption while ensuring reliable transmission
2Use of energy by moving object
If power save mechanisms are implemented to extend battery life, then energy conservation is improved, but the complexity of communication protocols increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements buffered acknowledgment mechanisms where acknowledgments are held and sent in advance with outgoing data frames rather than being transmitted immediately upon receiving each packet. This preliminary action reduces the frequency of wake-ups and transmissions, improving power savings while the buffering mechanism manages the added protocol complexity
3Duration of action of moving object
If the number of frames exchanged is reduced to conserve energy, then battery life is extended, but the reliability of data transmission may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By merging acknowledgment information into data frames through piggybacking, the patent maintains transmission reliability without requiring separate acknowledgment exchanges. Each data frame carries both payload and acknowledgment status, ensuring reliable communication while reducing the total number of frames and extending battery life
Data Source
AI summary
Included are embodiments for facilitating communication. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving first communication data from a communications device and creating an acknowledgment indicating receipt of the first communication data. Some embodiments include determining whether second communication data has been received for the communications device and in response to determining that data has been received for the communications device, combining the second communication data with the acknowledgement in a single data packet.