Wi-Fi STA Sleep Negotiation Across Multiple AP Idle Timers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Wi-Fi technologies face challenges in enhancing power saving mechanisms for station devices (STA) when transitioning between multiple access point devices or access point multi-link devices (AP MLDs), leading to increased power consumption and inefficient spectrum utilization.

Innovation Solution

A sleep mechanism negotiation method that allows a station (STA) to receive identification information for both the first and second AP's maximum idle period parameters during initial association, enabling the first MAX BSS idle period timer to perform timing while the second timer is put to sleep, and setting the listen interval parameter to be less than the maximum idle periods, thereby reducing power consumption and optimizing spectrum utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the STA obtains idle period parameters from each AP separately, then the STA can have accurate timing information for each AP, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming information accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the idle period parameters of multiple APs into a single maximum idle period value that is transmitted to the STA through one AP. This allows the STA to use a single timer instead of multiple timers, reducing power consumption while maintaining accurate timing information for transitioning between APs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The maximum idle period parameter serves a universal function for multiple APs simultaneously. Instead of having separate parameters for each AP, a single parameter can be used across multiple APs, reducing the information the STA needs to process and store, thereby reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the STA transitions between multiple AP devices, then the network coverage and connectivity are improved, but the power consumption increases due to frequent parameter re-obtainment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the maximum idle period parameter to cover multiple APs before the STA transitions between them. This eliminates the need for the STA to re-obtain parameters during transitions, reducing power consumption while maintaining network connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The idle period parameter from one AP is effectively copied to apply to multiple APs. The STA receives the parameter from the first AP and uses it as a reference for subsequent APs, avoiding repeated parameter acquisition and reducing power consumption during transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If separate MAX BSS idle period timers are used for each AP, then the timing precision for each AP is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming precisionVSAvoidtimer management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate timers into a single timer that manages idle periods across multiple APs. This reduces device complexity by eliminating the need to manage multiple timers simultaneously, while the single timer maintains precise timing through the maximum idle period parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If the STA re-obtains idle period parameters after transitioning to a new AP, then the timing information remains accurate, but the communication overhead and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming information accuracyVSAvoidcommunication energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by establishing the maximum idle period parameter before the STA transitions between APs. This pre-configuration eliminates the need for communication overhead during transitions, as the STA can reuse the existing parameter without needing to request new information from the new AP.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4708975A1Sleep mechanism negotiation method, electronic device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4708975A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4708975A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4708975A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of mobile communications. Provided are a sleep mechanism method, an electronic device and a storage medium. The sleep mechanism method is applied to a station device (STA). The method comprises: receiving a first radio frame, which is sent by a first AP, wherein the first radio frame comprises first identification information, the first identification information identifies first MAX BSS idle period parameter information of the first AP and second MAX BSS idle period parameter information of a second AP, and the first AP and the second AP belong to different physical entities; and after the STA establishes an initial association with the first AP, a first MAX BSS idle period timer performing timing, and a second MAX BSS idle period timer not performing timing. Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure is a mechanism for supporting the power saving of an STA.