Trigger Frame Early FCS for Faster WLAN Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-operated wireless communication devices face challenges in conserving power while maintaining the ability to communicate with a WLAN, as existing trigger frame formats require receiving and validating padding bits to ensure frame integrity, which prolongs the need to remain active.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an early frame check sequence (eFCS) within the trigger frame to allow non-solicited wireless communication devices to validate the frame without receiving padding bits, enabling them to enter a low power mode earlier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If STAs enter low power mode to conserve power, then battery life is extended, but the STA cannot transmit, receive, or listen to communications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the STA validate the trigger frame and determine whether to enter low power mode before the entire frame is received. The early FCS enables the STA to make this decision early in the frame reception process, allowing it to enter low power mode sooner while still maintaining communication capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the frame validation process into two stages: first validation using the early FCS (first frame check sequence) and second validation using the traditional FCS at the end of the frame. This segmentation allows the STA to perform partial validation early and make power management decisions accordingly, while still having the option to complete validation if communication is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the STA receives the complete trigger frame including padding bits, then the STA can fully validate the frame, but the low power duration is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe validation completenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The early FCS enables preliminary validation of the trigger frame before the STA must receive all padding bits. This allows the STA to determine with high confidence whether it should enter low power mode, reducing the expected power consumption while maintaining reliable frame validation for the portions that are received.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables partial action by validating only the necessary portion of the frame using the early FCS, rather than requiring complete frame reception and validation. This partial validation is sufficient for the STA to make informed power management decisions, reducing the energy required for complete frame processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If the FCS is placed at the end of the trigger frame, then the frame structure is simple, but the STA cannot enter low power mode early

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe structureVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the FCS into two parts: an early FCS positioned before the padding bits and a traditional FCS positioned at the end of the frame. This segmentation allows the early FCS to enable premature validation and early low power mode entry, while the second FCS maintains the traditional frame structure for complete validation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The early FCS acts as an intermediary validation mechanism that enables power management decisions before the frame is completely received. It serves as a mediator between the trigger frame reception and the power mode decision, allowing the STA to enter low power mode earlier without compromising the eventual ability to validate the complete frame if needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12628200B2Early frame check sequence (FCS) for trigger frame validation

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 SYNAPTICS INC

AI summary

This disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for wireless communications. The present implementations more specifically relate to trigger frame designs that support early validation of trigger frames. In some aspects, an AP may transmit a trigger frame soliciting a trigger-based (TB) physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) from one or more wireless stations (STAs), where the trigger frame includes one or more user information fields, an early frame check sequence (eFCS) following the user information fields, a series of padding bits following the eFCS, and a frame check sequence (FCS) following the series of padding bits. Each STA associated with the AP may receive and validate a first portion of the trigger frame based on the eFCS. Any non-solicited STAs that receive the trigger frame may enter a low power mode in response to validating the first portion of the trigger frame, without receiving the padding bits.