Unpowered Access Point RF Energy Wake-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication network architectures do not support data offloading to unpowered green access points, which remain inactive until needed, leading to energy consumption when attempting to wake up using existing mechanisms like Ethernet Wake-on-LAN or Wake-on-Wireless LAN, as they require keeping circuitry active and special signaling methods.
Innovation Solution
The use of RF energy on an uplink channel to transition an unpowered access point to a power-up state through a wake-up circuit that detects and harvests RF energy, determines signal strength, and queries a base unit for confirmation messages, adjusting configurations as needed to minimize energy consumption and avoid false wake-ups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If green access points use existing wake-up mechanisms like Ethernet Wake-on-LAN or Wake-on-Wireless LAN, then they can be powered up when needed, but they must keep circuitry active and consume energy to receive magic packets
Solution Approach 1:
The green access point uses RF energy from uplink data signals to power itself during wake-up, eliminating the need for external power sources or continuous circuitry operation. The access point harvests energy from legitimate data transmissions to autonomously power its wake-up process and diagnostic checks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the power source parameter from external power or continuous circuitry to RF energy harvested from uplink signals. This parameter change enables the access point to transition from a zero-power state to a powered state using energy already present in the communication environment.
2Loss of energy
If green access points remain unpowered until needed, then energy consumption is minimized, but current network architectures do not support data offloading to unpowered access points
Solution Approach 1:
The network controller performs preliminary actions by allocating uplink resources on a second channel before the green access point needs to wake up. This allows the access point to receive wake-up signals and power up in advance of actual data offloading, enabling seamless transition to data transmission mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network controller coordinates wake-up signaling through a second uplink channel, separate from the primary data transmission channel. This intermediary coordination enables the access point to wake up reliably without interfering with ongoing data offloading operations.
3Use of energy by moving object
If access points use RF energy for wake-up, then energy consumption during wake-up is eliminated, but false wake-ups may occur due to insufficient signal strength thresholding
Solution Approach 1:
The green access point queries the network controller for wake-up confirmation after receiving RF energy-based wake-up signals. This feedback mechanism allows the access point to verify whether the wake-up was legitimate before fully powering up, preventing false wake-ups while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point performs partial diagnostic checks after wake-up to verify signal strength and legitimacy before fully activating. This partial verification action filters out false wake-ups caused by weak or spurious RF signals while minimizing additional energy consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables green access points to power up efficiently without external energy consumption during the wake-up process, optimizing energy usage and reducing false wake-up events by leveraging RF energy for activation and diagnostic checks.
Implementation Method 1
harvests radio frequency energy of the data signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5A
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for using RF energy on an uplink channel to transition an unpowered access point to a power-up state. One apparatus (300) includes a processor (305) that receives uplink data from a remote unit (105) over a first uplink channel and determines whether to offload the data traffic of the remote unit (105) to an access point (115), wherein the access point (115) transitions to a power-up state after harvesting radio energy from a second uplink channel. The processor (305) further allocates uplink resources to the remote unit (105) on the second uplink channel in response to determining to offload the data traffic of the remote unit (105) to the access point (115). The apparatus may further include a radio transceiver (325) for receiving uplink data from the remote unit (105) over the first and second uplink channels.