Station Relay Method for Wireless Power Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In infrastructure wireless networks, the near-far effect causes inconsistent power consumption among stations, with those farther from the access point consuming more power, necessitating a method to ensure all stations in a basic service set have similar power consumption speeds.
Innovation Solution
A station relay method where an access point determines the available time windows for type-1 stations based on their remaining energy and location, broadcasting notification messages to select type-1 stations as relay stations, allowing type-2 stations to choose suitable relay stations for communication, thereby balancing power consumption across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If all stations transmit data directly to the access point, then communication simplicity is maintained, but stations farther from the access point consume excessive power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces relay stations (type-1 stations) as intermediaries between type-2 stations and the access point. These relay stations forward data transmissions, enabling type-2 stations to communicate indirectly through closer nodes, thereby reducing their power consumption while maintaining network connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into different station types (type-1 relay stations and type-2 regular stations) with distinct roles. This segmentation allows the system to optimize power consumption by having type-2 stations transmit only to nearby type-1 stations rather than directly to distant access points.
2Ease of operation
If relay stations are selected without time window constraints, then communication flexibility is improved, but station power consumption becomes unbalanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic time windows during which relay stations are available for data transmission. Each type-1 station has designated time windows when it can function as a relay, creating a periodic structure that balances power consumption across the network while maintaining communication flexibility within those windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the relay station selection dynamic by assigning different time windows to different type-1 stations based on their remaining power levels. As stations consume power, their availability changes, allowing the system to dynamically adjust which stations serve as relays to maintain balanced power consumption rates.
3Use of energy by moving object
If relay stations are selected based on remaining power levels, then power consumption balance is improved, but communication reliability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary selection of relay stations based on their remaining power levels before data transmission begins. The access point determines which type-1 stations will serve as relays and communicates this information in advance, allowing the network to proactively balance power consumption while ensuring reliable communication paths are established before power depletion becomes critical.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: determining, by an access point based on remaining quantities of electricity and/or location information of all stations in at least one station group in a basic service set, an identifier of a type-1 station in each of the at least one station group and available time window information that corresponds to each type-1 station, and generating a notification message including relay enabling information of the at least one station group, relay enabling information of each station group includes identifiers of at least two type-1 stations in the station group and the available time window information of each type-1 station; and broadcasting, by the access point, the notification message in the basic service set.