Post Groupcast Time for Mesh Point Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power management in wireless mesh networks is inefficient due to the need for mesh points to remain awake for extended periods after transmitting multicast or broadcast frames, especially when these frames do not fit within the Awake Window, leading to unnecessary power consumption and reduced network efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Post Groupcast Time (PGT) mechanism that allows mesh points to transition to a lower power mode after a specified time has passed since the last multicast or broadcast frame transmission, independent of the Awake Window, ensuring that mesh points can return to a power save state even if the last frame was not received correctly and enabling controlled availability for peer MP triggering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mesh points remain awake for extended periods after transmitting multicast or broadcast frames, then reliable frame delivery is ensured, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a preliminary action mechanism where the beaconing mesh point sets a Post Groupcast Time (PGT) timer before transmitting multicast or broadcast frames. This timer is configured to expire after a predetermined duration, automatically triggering the mesh point to transition to power save mode. The PGT mechanism ensures that mesh points remain awake long enough to receive potentially missing frames while automatically returning to sleep mode, thus balancing reliability and power consumption without requiring continuous wakefulness.
2Reliability
If mesh points stay awake until the next beacon transmission, then all frames can be received, but network efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The beaconing mesh point performs a preliminary action by setting the PGT timer to a predetermined value that is optimized for frame reception. This timer expires before the next beacon transmission, allowing receiving mesh points to transition to power save mode proactively. The predetermined PGT duration is calculated to ensure sufficient time for frame reception while avoiding unnecessary wakefulness, thus improving network efficiency without compromising reception completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of mesh point availability by introducing the PGT timer with a predetermined expiration time. This parameter modification allows mesh points to dynamically adjust their awake duration based on the PGT setting rather than remaining awake until the next beacon. The parameter change optimizes the balance between receiving frames and conserving energy, thereby improving network efficiency while maintaining reception reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If mesh points transition to power save state immediately after Awake Window, then power consumption is reduced, but frame delivery may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The beaconing mesh point sets the PGT timer as a preliminary action before the Awake Window ends. This timer ensures that receiving mesh points remain awake for an additional predetermined duration after the Awake Window to receive any potentially missing frames. The PGT mechanism allows mesh points to transition to power save mode only after this extended reception period, thus balancing power consumption reduction with frame delivery reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of mesh point availability through the PGT timer mechanism. Instead of a fixed awake duration, the system dynamically adjusts the awake state based on the PGT timer expiration. The timer provides flexibility in determining when mesh points can safely transition to power save mode, allowing the system to adapt to varying network conditions while maintaining reliable frame delivery and optimizing power consumption.
Data Source
Figure 1~3A
Figure 3B
Figure 4
AI summary
In one aspect thereof the invention provides a method that includes transmitting from a first (beaconing) mesh point at least one multicast or broadcast frame; and transitioning the first mesh point to a lower power mode of operation state after expiration of a specified post groupcast time from a last multicast or broadcast frame that was transmitted by the beaconing mesh point after expiration of an awake window, or when the awake window expires, whichever occurs later. In another aspect thereof the invention provides a method that includes operating a peer mesh point in an awake state; and maintaining the peer mesh point in the awake state for no more than a specified post groupcast time after a last target beacon transmission time, or a last received beacon frame, or a receipt of multicast or broadcast frame having an indication that another multicast or broadcast frame will be transmitted. A computer-readable medium storing program instructions to implement the methods is also disclosed, as are corresponding apparatuses.