Programmable Sleep Cycle Controller for Low-Power 802.11 Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IEEE 802.11 wireless devices face inefficiencies in power management, as they often require continuous operation to maintain connectivity, leading to increased power consumption and reduced battery life, especially when there is no impending data traffic.
Innovation Solution
A highly programmable hardware sleep cycle controller is introduced, which independently manages the sleep modes of wireless devices by powering down the processor and RF circuit when no data traffic is anticipated, using a separate hardware configuration that periodically checks for incoming messages and wakes up the device only when necessary, allowing for reduced power usage while maintaining connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wireless device continuously operates to maintain connectivity, then connectivity is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless device is segmented into multiple functional blocks (processor, RF circuit, sleep mode controller) that can be independently powered down or kept active. This allows selective powering down of non-essential components while maintaining essential connectivity functions through the sleep mode controller.
Solution Approach 2:
A sleep mode controller is introduced as an intermediary component between the processor/RF circuit and the power source. This controller manages power states, enabling the device to transition between active and low-power modes while maintaining connectivity through periodic wake-up checks.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the wireless device enters sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then power usage decreases, but connectivity may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The sleep mode controller implements periodic wake-up cycles to check for incoming messages or connection requests. During these periodic intervals, the processor and RF circuit are powered on to maintain connectivity awareness, then powered down again to conserve energy, creating a rhythm of activity and rest.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary checks during wake-up periods to determine if connectivity maintenance is necessary before fully powering on systems. This preliminary assessment prevents unnecessary full system activation, reducing power consumption while ensuring connectivity is maintained when needed.
3Productivity
If the processor and RF circuit are continuously powered on, then data traffic is immediately processed, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sleep mode controller operates autonomously to manage power states without requiring continuous processor intervention. It self-manages the periodic wake-up cycles, message checking, and power state transitions, allowing the processor to remain powered down while the system maintains its ability to process data traffic when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless device includes a sleep mode controller circuit (SMC), an RF circuit, and a processor. The SMC is configured to identify from a message that there is no impending data traffic to be received from another wireless device, put the wireless device into a power down mode powering down the processor and the RF circuit, and periodically checking for a another received message. Checking the RF message includes powering on the RF circuit on a periodic basis, determining whether another received message indicates that there is impending data traffic to be received from another wireless device, and, based on a determination that that there is impending data traffic to be received from another wireless device, powering up the processor.