Wi-Fi Aware Power Save via NAN MAC Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Wi-Fi Aware networks, devices remain awake during common resource blocks, consuming power and processing resources even when no data is being transmitted, leading to a need for a power save mechanism to conserve energy and resources.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication device transmits an indication to a peer device over a NAN data path to enter a power save mode, using a MAC packet with specific bits (such as MD or PM bits) to signal the mode change, allowing the device to enter a power save state for a defined time, either unilaterally or mutually agreed upon with the peer device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices remain awake during common resource blocks to maintain network awareness, then network responsiveness and data transmission capability are improved, but power consumption and processing resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic wake-up schedules where devices alternate between active and sleep states during common resource blocks. Devices wake up at predetermined intervals to check for data or control messages, then return to sleep mode. This periodic activation maintains network awareness and responsiveness while dramatically reducing average power consumption compared to continuous wakefulness.
Solution Approach 2:
The power save mechanism allows devices to autonomously enter and exit power save modes based on predetermined schedules and received control messages, without requiring continuous network coordination. Devices self-manage their wake-up times and transitions to sleep state, reducing processing overhead and enabling independent power optimization while maintaining network functionality.
2Use of energy by moving object
If devices enter power save mode to conserve energy, then power consumption is reduced, but network responsiveness and data transmission capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The network controller monitors device states and transmits control messages to devices in power save mode, providing feedback about network activity and data availability. When data is available or network activity is detected, the controller sends wake-up signals to specific devices, ensuring they become active at the appropriate moment to maintain responsiveness while allowing power savings during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes predetermined wake-up schedules and power save patterns in advance, allowing devices to proactively enter power save mode knowing when they will need to wake up. This preliminary planning enables devices to optimize their power consumption without compromising network responsiveness, as they are already scheduled to be active when data transmission is likely needed.
3Productivity
If devices transmit indication packets to coordinate power save mode, then power save coordination and network efficiency are improved, but communication overhead and protocol complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reuses existing MAC protocol fields and message structures for power save coordination, allowing control messages to serve multiple functions including data transmission, acknowledgment, and power save signaling. By embedding power save indicators within standard MAC frames rather than requiring separate dedicated signaling protocols, the system achieves efficient power coordination while minimizing protocol complexity and maintaining compatibility with existing Wi-Fi infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes a power save mechanism for devices in a neighbor awareness networking (NAN) network. In some aspects, a NAN device is able to enter into a power save mode during a window agreed to between the NAN device and a NAN peer device. A NAN device transmits, to a NAN peer device, an indication that the wireless communication device is to enter a power save mode. For example, the NAN device may transmit a MAC packet with a more data (MD) bit set to 0. The NAN peer device may indicate that the NAN device is allowed to enter the power save mode by transmitting a MAC packet with the MD bit set to 0, or the NAN peer device may indicate that the wireless communication device is not to enter the power save mode by transmitting a MAC packet with the MD bit set to 1.