Wi-Fi TWT Beacon Scheduling for Low-Power Latency Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Wi-Fi protocols, including Target Wake Time (TWT), do not adequately address power consumption and latency issues for low power devices, leading to inefficient battery usage and potential data transmission delays.
Innovation Solution
Low power Wi-Fi devices selectively listen to beacons and adjust their wake times based on application latency and throughput requirements, using TWT parameters to minimize power consumption while maintaining connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the low power Wi-Fi device wakes up frequently to listen to all beacons, then it can detect data availability timely, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beacon listening process by having the low power device listen to only selected beacons rather than all beacons. The device determines which beacons to listen to based on TWT parameters and application requirements, dividing the continuous beacon monitoring into discrete, selective listening events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic beacon listening based on TWT (Target Wake Time) parameters. The low power device wakes up at predetermined intervals defined by TWT wake interval and TWT wake duration, listening to beacons periodically rather than continuously, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining connectivity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the low power Wi-Fi device reduces wake frequency to save power, then power consumption decreases, but data transmission latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the beacon listening frequency dynamic by adjusting wake intervals based on application-specific latency requirements and throughput needs. The device can adapt its wake schedule dynamically, waking more frequently when latency is critical and less frequently when power saving is prioritized, rather than using a fixed wake schedule.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (TWT wake interval, TWT wake duration, beacon listening frequency) based on application requirements. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between power consumption and latency performance for different application scenarios.
3Reliability
If the low power Wi-Fi device listens to every beacon, then it maintains up-to-date connection status, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the device listen to only the necessary portion of beacons rather than all beacons. The low power device determines the optimal beacon listening frequency based on application requirements, listening to enough beacons to maintain acceptable connection status awareness while avoiding unnecessary power consumption from excessive listening.
4Speed
If the TWT wake interval is shortened to reduce latency, then responsiveness improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by negotiating TWT parameters in advance based on application requirements. The device and access point agree on optimal wake intervals and durations beforehand, allowing the low power device to wake at predetermined times that balance responsiveness and power consumption without needing to make real-time decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and Wi-Fi devices that utilize the target wait time (TWT) feature of the Wi-Fi specification are disclosed. These methods reduce power consumption by selectively listening to only a portion of the beacons that are transmitted by the access point. In one scenario, the Wi-Fi device only listens to one beacon per TWT wake interval. In another embodiment, the Wi-Fi device may have knowledge of the application that is being executed, such as its allowable latency. The Wi-Fi device may use this allowable latency to determine which when to exit low power mode to receive a beacon. Further, mechanisms to ensure that the connection between the Wi-Fi device and the access point are also disclosed.