Wake-Up Radio Control for Low-Power Wireless Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless LAN technologies face challenges in balancing power saving and communication efficiency, particularly in high-density environments with numerous mobile devices, where periodic sleep modes lead to inefficient wake-up times and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a low-power wake-up receiver (WUR) to trigger the primary connectivity radio (PCR) only when necessary, using a separate wake-up radio (WUR) to reduce unnecessary wake-ups and increase power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If periodic sleep mode is used to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to inefficient wake-up times
Solution Approach 1:
The radio system is segmented into two independent parts: a low-power wake-up receiver (WUR) that remains active during doze state, and a primary connectivity radio (PCR) that operates in full power mode only when needed. This segmentation allows the WUR to monitor for wake-up frames continuously at minimal power consumption, while the PCR sleeps and wakes up only when the WUR detects incoming data, thus resolving the contradiction between power saving and communication efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The wake-up receiver acts as an intermediary between the sleeping PCR and the external network. It monitors the medium for wake-up frames and triggers PCR wake-up only when necessary, eliminating the need for PCR to wake up periodically at fixed intervals. This intermediary mechanism enables power-efficient operation while maintaining responsive communication.
2Use of energy by moving object
If wake-up receiver is added to trigger PCR selectively, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wake-up receiver is designed as a simple, low-cost, dedicated component with minimal functionality - it only detects wake-up frames and triggers PCR wake-up. By using a simple, purpose-built WUR instead of a full-featured radio, the patent achieves power efficiency without significantly increasing overall device complexity. The WUR's simplicity makes it a cost-effective addition that delivers high power-saving benefits.
3Reliability
If PCR wakes up periodically to check for data, then data reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having PCR wake up periodically at fixed intervals, the system uses event-driven periodic action: the WUR continuously monitors for wake-up frames and triggers PCR wake-up only when data is actually available. This transforms rigid periodic polling into flexible event-triggered activation, maintaining data reception reliability while dramatically reducing power consumption by keeping PCR in doze state during periods without incoming data.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a wireless communication terminal communicating wirelessly including a first wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals through a first waveform, a second wireless receiver configured to receive a signal through a second waveform different from the first waveform, and a processor. The processor receives an acceptance frame for accepting a request for wake-up radio (WUR) mode entry in which the wireless communication terminal operates based on a signal transmitted through the second waveform from a base wireless communication terminal, through the first wireless transceiver, stops an operation of the wireless communication terminal related to a service period based on the acceptance frame, wherein the service period is a time period that arrives in a period negotiated between the base wireless communication terminal and the wireless communication terminal before the wireless communication terminal enters the WUR mode, and is configured to transmit and receive data through the base wireless communication terminal and the first wireless transceiver, after stopping the operation of the wireless communication terminal related to the service period, when receiving a wake-up frame that triggers a wake-up of the first wireless transceiver from the base wireless communication terminal through the second wireless receiver, wakes-up the first wireless transceiver based on the wake-up frame, and maintains a state in which transmission and reception are possible through the first wireless transceiver during at least a first service period that arrives after receiving the wake-up frame.