Power-Aware Network Interface Selection Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network protocol stacks often select high-performance network interfaces and connections unnecessarily, leading to excessive power consumption, as they prioritize performance over power efficiency, even when lower performance connections can meet the requirements of applications without affecting user experience.
Innovation Solution
A network connection management module that monitors and evaluates network information to select a connectivity option based on power consumption, using application profiles and connectivity profiles that include performance and power metrics, allowing for the selection of a power-saving option that meets the application's performance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional network protocol stacks select high-performance network interfaces, then network performance (throughput, latency, reliability) is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects network interfaces and connection types based on real-time evaluation of application requirements and current network conditions. The network connection management module continuously monitors application profiles and connectivity profiles to adaptively choose the most appropriate interface, transitioning between high-performance and power-efficient modes as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by selecting different network interfaces and connection types (e.g., WiFi vs. cellular, 4G vs. 5G) based on evaluated performance requirements. Application profiles define required throughput, latency, and reliability parameters, while connectivity profiles provide expected performance and power consumption data, enabling parameter-based selection optimality.
2Productivity
If conventional network protocol stacks prioritize high-performance connectivity, then network throughput and reliability are improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by selecting network interfaces and connection types that provide sufficient (but not excessive) performance for each application's actual needs. Rather than always using the highest-performance available interface, the system evaluates application profiles to determine the minimum required throughput and reliability, then selects the lowest-power interface that meets those requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The network connection management module autonomously evaluates application requirements against available connectivity options and makes selection decisions without user intervention. The system self-manages the trade-off between performance and power consumption by accessing application profiles and connectivity profiles, automatically choosing optimal interfaces based on current conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If lower-performance network connections are used, then power consumption is reduced, but network reliability and user experience may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from application profiles (which encode required reliability, throughput, and latency) and connectivity profiles (which encode expected performance and power consumption) to make informed selection decisions. The network connection management module continuously evaluates whether selected interfaces meet application requirements, adjusting selections based on this feedback loop to maintain reliability while optimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of application requirements against available connectivity options before establishing network connections. By pre-defining application profiles with required performance parameters and connectivity profiles with expected performance data, the system can determine in advance whether lower-power interfaces will satisfy reliability requirements, preventing selection of interfaces that would compromise connection quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
The techniques described herein monitor, store, and evaluate network information associated with an application to determine a connectivity option to use to communicate data. A connectivity option includes a network interface and a type of network connection. The determination is made based on power consumption information associated with available connectivity options. Consequently, a device on which the application is installed can better manage its power consumption associated with network communications.