Communication Apparatus Power Saving Mode Frame Loss Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication devices in power saving mode face frame loss due to limited storage capacity and switching time, especially when receiving aggregation frames, as they cannot store sequentially received frames and may lose them during the transition to normal mode.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a control method that disconnects Block Ack streams before switching to power saving mode and denying Block Ack stream establishment during power saving mode to prevent frame loss, ensuring frames are received and processed in the normal mode before switching back.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the communication device operates in power saving mode with limited storage capacity, then power consumption is reduced, but aggregation frames cannot be stored sequentially and may be lost during switching to normal mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidframe loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device determines in advance whether the storage area can hold incoming aggregation frames before switching to power saving mode. If not, the device preliminarily decides to switch to normal mode upon receiving a frame, preventing frame loss by ensuring storage capacity is available before accumulating frames during power saving operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device dynamically adjusts its operational state by monitoring storage area availability. When storage capacity is insufficient for incoming aggregation frames, the device transitions from power saving mode to normal mode, making the power consumption and frame handling capability adaptable to real-time conditions rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the device switches from power saving mode to normal mode to receive aggregation frames, then frame loss is prevented, but it takes predetermined switching time during which frames may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe receptionVSAvoidswitching time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs a storage capacity check before entering power saving mode to determine whether it can safely accumulate aggregation frames. This preliminary assessment prevents the need for abrupt mode switching during frame reception, eliminating switching delays and ensuring continuous frame handling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device ensures sufficient storage capacity is available before switching to power saving mode, creating a buffer or cushion that can accommodate incoming aggregation frames without loss. This beforehand preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming mode transitions during frame reception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If Block Ack stream is maintained during power saving mode, then continuous frame transmission is supported, but frames may be lost due to limited storage and switching delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous frame transmissionVSAvoidframe loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device checks storage capacity before entering power saving mode to determine whether Block Ack stream operation is safe. If storage is insufficient, the device preliminarily decides to switch to normal mode upon frame reception, ensuring continuous and reliable frame transmission without loss while maintaining Block Ack functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device dynamically monitors storage area availability during Block Ack stream operation. When storage capacity becomes insufficient, the device transitions to normal mode to ensure reliable frame reception, making the system adaptable to changing conditions while maintaining continuous transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2451114B1Communication apparatus, corresponding method and storage medium for avoiding aggregation frame loss during power saving mode

Publication Date: 2015.12.23 CANON KK

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AI summary

A communication apparatus which is configured to receive a plurality of frames with block acknowledgement or a plurality of aggregation frames, from a transmission apparatus, the communication apparatus comprising: control means (102) for controlling communication processing with the transmission apparatus; switching means (102) for switching between a power saving mode of reducing power consumption by stopping a predetermined function and a normal mode operating the predetermined function; and request means (102) for requesting the transmission apparatus to stop transmitting the plurality of said frames. When the disconnection between transmission apparatus and communication apparatus is completed, the switching means switches from the normal mode to the power saving mode. Thus, loss of frames can be reduced while the communication apparatus maintains the power saving mode.