Short Acknowledgement Mechanism for Wireless Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication protocols consume high power and time due to the need for extensive data packets for acknowledgments, which is inefficient for low-data-rate applications such as smart grid and healthcare sensors.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a new, short acknowledgement mechanism using truncated packets with phase-shifted symbols, such as a short training field (STF) and long training field (LTF), to reduce power consumption and time-on-air, while maintaining robustness and identifying the acknowledgement pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional acknowledgement packets are used in wireless communications, then reliability of communication is maintained, but power consumption and time-on-air increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential acknowledgment signal from the full acknowledgement packet, removing unnecessary data payload and control fields. The invention uses a minimal signal structure consisting of a short training field with a specific overlay sequence that conveys acknowledgment information, thereby dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable communication confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the acknowledgement into a separate physical layer signal independent from the MAC layer packet structure. By separating the acknowledgment function from the data transmission protocol, the system can use a simplified signal structure that requires minimal power while still providing reliable acknowledgment functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional acknowledgement packets are used in wireless communications, then communication reliability is maintained, but time-on-air increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidtime-on-air

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If short acknowledgement signals are used, then power consumption and time-on-air are reduced, but signal robustness and interference resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsignal robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modulating the short training field symbols with a specific overlay sequence that encodes acknowledgment information. This transforms the simple short signal into a robust communication signal that can resist interference while maintaining minimal duration and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms through the overlay sequence that provides acknowledgment information about the previous transmission's success. The receiving device uses this feedback signal to determine whether retransmission is needed, enabling reliable communication with minimal signal duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If truncated packets with phase-shifted symbols are used for acknowledgments, then efficiency for low-data-rate applications is improved, but compatibility with existing protocols decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidprotocol compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the existing short training field as an intermediary carrier that can convey acknowledgment information through overlay modulation. This intermediary approach allows the system to leverage existing protocol elements while introducing new functionality, thereby maintaining compatibility with existing devices while improving efficiency for low-data-rate applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9654269B2Methods and arrangements for an acknowledgement in wireless networks

Publication Date: 2017.05.16 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Embodiments may comprise physical layer logic to implement a new, short acknowledgement. Embodiments may store the short acknowledgement on a machine-accessible medium. Some embodiments may determine and transmit a communication with the short acknowledgement. Further embodiments may receive and detect communications with the short acknowledgement. The short acknowledgement may reduce power consumption and reduce on-the-air time.