Wi-Fi Mode Switching With Peer Verification for Lower Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current Wi-Fi protocol is designed for high throughput performance but not for low power consumption in medium- and low-traffic scenarios, leading to increased power consumption due to the use of multiple antennas and large bandwidths.
Innovation Solution
A method for switching the Wi-Fi operating mode between high and low specifications, ensuring seamless data transmission by verifying successful mode changes in peer devices before transitioning, and adjusting power consumption based on device capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a Wi-Fi module uses multiple antennas and large bandwidth for high throughput performance, then data transmission rate is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operating mode switching that allows the Wi-Fi module to adapt between high-specification mode (multiple antennas, large bandwidth) and low-specification mode (single antenna, small bandwidth) based on real-time traffic conditions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling high data transmission rates only when necessary, while reducing power consumption during medium- and low-traffic scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key operating parameters (number of antennas, bandwidth size) based on traffic conditions. In high-traffic scenarios, the system uses multiple antennas and large bandwidth to maximize data transmission rate. In medium- and low-traffic scenarios, it switches to single antenna and small bandwidth to reduce power consumption, thus resolving the technical contradiction between transmission rate and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a Wi-Fi module switches from high-specification operating mode to low-specification operating mode, then power consumption is reduced, but data transmission reliability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sends a switching indication frame to the peer device before actually switching operating modes. This preliminary action allows the peer device to prepare for the mode change, ensuring that both devices are synchronized. The peer device responds with an acknowledgment frame, and only after receiving this confirmation does the transmitting device switch modes, thereby maintaining data transmission reliability while enabling power consumption reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the transmitting device sends a switching indication frame and waits for an acknowledgment frame from the peer device before switching operating modes. This feedback loop ensures that the peer device is ready for the mode change, preventing data transmission errors and maintaining reliability while enabling the power-saving mode switch.
3Productivity
If a Wi-Fi module uses large bandwidth for transmission, then data transmission rate is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the bandwidth parameter based on traffic conditions and peer device capabilities. In high-traffic scenarios requiring maximum data transmission rate, the system uses large bandwidth (e.g., 160 MHz). In medium- and low-traffic scenarios, it switches to small bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz) to reduce power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between transmission rate and power consumption.
4Productivity
If a Wi-Fi module uses multiple antennas for transmission, then data transmission rate is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the number of antennas used for transmission based on traffic conditions and peer device capabilities. In high-traffic scenarios, the system uses multiple antennas (e.g., 2x2 MIMO) to maximize data transmission rate. In medium- and low-traffic scenarios, it switches to single antenna to reduce power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between transmission rate and power consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a Wi-Fi operating mode switching method and a related apparatus. If an electronic device needs to switch a Wi-Fi module from a first operating mode to a second operating mode whose specification is lower than that of the first operating mode, the electronic device may send an operating mode switching indication to a peer device, to indicate the peer device to switch to the second operating mode. After sending the operating mode switching indication to the peer device, the electronic device may switch to the second operating mode to send a physical frame to the peer device, and keep receiving, in the first operating mode, a physical frame sent by the peer device. When detecting, in the physical frame sent by the peer device, that the peer device has switched to the second operating mode, the electronic device switches an operating mode of the Wi-Fi module to the second operating mode. In this way, when the operating mode of the Wi-Fi module is switched, it can be ensured that the electronic device clearly knows whether the peer device successfully switches the operating mode, to ensure normal data transmission.