UMA Network Detection via WLAN Processor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication devices (WCDs) face significant power consumption and inefficiency when continuously scanning for UMA networks due to the need to frequently awaken the host baseband processor, leading to excessive communication overhead and battery drain.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a 'private' scanning technique that activates only the WLAN firmware to scan specific channels at periodic intervals, keeping the baseband processor in deep sleep mode and using a limited number of channels, thereby reducing power consumption and communication overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the host baseband processor continuously scans for access points at short time intervals, then the detection speed of UMA networks is improved, but the power consumption and communication overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning function is segmented between the host baseband processor and the WLAN processor. The WLAN processor performs scanning operations independently without requiring continuous activation of the host processor, dividing the workload to reduce overall system power consumption while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The WLAN processor is enabled to perform scanning operations autonomously. It can detect access points and generate wake-up events for the host processor only when necessary, allowing the scanning function to serve itself without constantly requiring host processor intervention, thereby reducing power consumption.
2Productivity
If the host baseband processor is awakened frequently to scan for access points, then the network detection capability is improved, but the communication overhead between processor modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning function is extracted from the host baseband processor and transferred to the WLAN processor. This separation removes the unnecessary communication overhead between processor modules while maintaining the network detection capability, as the WLAN processor performs scanning independently and only communicates with the host when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The WLAN processor acts as an intermediary that performs scanning operations and only communicates with the host baseband processor when necessary. This intermediate layer reduces the frequency and complexity of communications between processor modules while maintaining effective network detection capability.
3Loss of time
If the baseband processor remains active to scan for UMA networks, then the response time is improved, but the battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous scanning with the host processor active, the system uses periodic scanning where the WLAN processor wakes up at predetermined intervals to scan for access points. The host processor remains in low-power mode and is only awakened by wake-up events from the WLAN processor when scanning is required, reducing battery power consumption while maintaining acceptable response time.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for scanning for access points with a wireless communication device including a baseband processor and a WLAN processor. A data download command which defines a preferred network list can be sent from the baseband processor to the WLAN processor. In addition, a first scan command can be sent from the baseband processor which triggers the WLAN processor to independently begin periodically scanning a number channels.