WiFi Access Point Power Control via Fine Timing Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In WiFi 6E networks, determining the accurate distance between access points and client devices is challenging due to varying transmission powers, making it difficult to manage power modes and modulation schemes effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of fine timing measurement (FTM) to determine distances between access points and client devices, allowing for adjustment of access point power modes and modulation schemes based on these measurements, enabling efficient power management and network steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access points operate in standard power mode to ensure coverage, then communication quality is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point dynamically switches between standard power mode and low power mode based on real-time distance measurements. When the client device is determined to be within a threshold distance, the access point transitions to low power mode; otherwise, it operates in standard power mode to ensure coverage. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting power consumption according to actual communication needs while maintaining quality when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission power parameter based on measured distance. By calculating the distance between the access point and client device using fine timing measurements, the access point adjusts its power mode (standard or low) to optimize the balance between communication quality and power consumption. This parameter change allows the system to operate efficiently at low power when possible while maintaining reliability when needed.
2Productivity
If fine timing measurement is implemented to determine accurate distance, then power management efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point and client device perform fine timing measurements autonomously using their existing communication infrastructure. The distance determination is self-service in nature, utilizing the timing information already exchanged during normal WiFi communication protocols. This approach improves power management efficiency through accurate distance-based decisions while avoiding additional complex external measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fine timing measurement mechanism serves multiple functions: it determines distance for power mode selection, enables location awareness, and utilizes existing communication channels. By making the measurement system multi-functional and integrating it into the standard communication protocol, the patent avoids adding dedicated complex measurement hardware while achieving accurate distance determination for efficient power management.
3Area of stationary object
If access points use higher transmission power, then coverage area is expanded, but interference with incumbent devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point provides localized quality service by adjusting transmission power based on the specific location and distance of the client device. When the client is close, low power mode suffices and minimizes interference. When the client is far, standard power mode expands coverage. This local quality approach ensures that interference is minimized in areas where it is not needed while maintaining coverage where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission power is dynamically adjusted between standard and low power modes based on real-time distance measurements to the client device. This dynamic control allows the access point to expand coverage area only when necessary (when clients are far away) and reduce interference when clients are nearby, resolving the contradiction between coverage expansion and interference mitigation.
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 approach allows for accurate distance calculation, enabling effective power conservation by switching access points to low power mode when possible, maintaining communication quality, and optimizing modulation schemes, thus enhancing network efficiency and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
determining, based on (i) a transmit time and a receive time of a request packet from a first access point (AP) to a client device and (ii) a transmit time and a receive time of a response packet from the client device to the first AP, a distance between the first AP and the client device
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining, based on (i) a transmit time and a receive time of a request packet from a first access point (AP) to a client device and (ii) a transmit time and a receive time of a response packet from the client device to the first AP, a distance between the first AP and the client device and adjusting a transmit power of the first AP based at least in part on the distance between the first AP and the client device.