Terminal TXOP Power Saving via Dynamic Awake-Sleep State Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing power consumption of mobile terminals due to advanced communication technologies outpaces the development of battery capacity, necessitating a method to reduce power consumption without solely relying on larger batteries.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a communication method that allows terminals to operate in a TXOP power saving mode by adjusting their power management state based on predetermined criteria, such as group membership and data stream indicators, to conserve power by transitioning between awake and sleep states during transmission opportunities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If data rate of mobile communication networks increases, then communication speed is improved, but power consumption of terminal increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal dynamically adjusts its operation state between awake and sleep modes based on the TXOP duration received from the access point. During TXOP periods, the terminal remains awake to receive data; outside TXOP periods, it transitions to sleep mode to conserve power. This dynamic state adjustment allows the system to maintain high communication speed during active transmission while reducing power consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The communication system employs periodic TXOP (Transmission Opportunity) intervals where the terminal alternates between active reception periods and sleep periods. The access point grants TXOP rights for specific time durations, creating a periodic pattern of wake-sleep cycles that enables the terminal to achieve high data rates during transmission windows while conserving energy during non-transmission windows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If terminal operates in active mode to receive data, then data reception capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reception capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal dynamically switches between awake and sleep states based on whether it is within a TXOP period. During TXOP, the terminal maintains active reception capability to ensure reliable data receipt; outside TXOP, it enters sleep mode to reduce power consumption. This dynamic operation ensures data reception reliability is maintained only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the data reception function from continuous operation and confines it to specific TXOP intervals. By taking out the active reception capability from a continuous state and limiting it to discrete TXOP periods, the system achieves reliable data reception during transmission opportunities while minimizing power consumption during non-transmission periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Use of energy by moving object

If battery capacity is increased to satisfy power consumption, then power supply capability is improved, but device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidbattery size
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the terminal by introducing TXOP-based wake-sleep cycling. Instead of continuously operating at full power or using a large battery, the system modifies the time-activity pattern to concentrate data reception into periodic TXOP windows. This parameter change allows smaller batteries to suffice because the terminal consumes power only during necessary transmission periods rather than maintaining continuous readiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3373664B1Communication method of a terminal and an access point for multi-user transmission opportunity (TXOP) power saving
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3373664B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3373664B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3373664B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a terminal and an access point in an active mode for multi-user transmission opportunity (TXOP) power saving that may decrease power consumption by changing an operation state of the terminal from an awake state to a sleep state if there is no stream of data to be transmitted during a TXOP duration.