Wireless Communication Device Carrier Sensing Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased electric power consumption in wireless communication devices due to carrier sensing across multiple channels in wireless local area networks (WLAN) hinders efficient data communication.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a wireless communication device with a control circuit that performs initial carrier sensing on part of the candidate channels before receiving a signal and subsequent carrier sensing on specific channels corresponding to the signal's channel information, reducing unnecessary power consumption by optimizing carrier sensing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carrier sensing is performed regarding all of multiple channels before starting data communication, then transmission reliability is improved by confirming each channel is available, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the multiple channels into two groups: a first group of channels for which carrier sensing is performed before receiving the first signal (request-to-send signal), and a second group of channels corresponding to channel information included in the first signal. This segmentation allows the wireless communication device to perform carrier sensing selectively rather than on all channels simultaneously, reducing power consumption while maintaining transmission reliability through targeted sensing of relevant channels.
2Reliability
If carrier sensing is performed regarding all of multiple channels, then channel availability confirmation is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to increased processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary carrier sensing on the first group of channels before the wireless communication device receives the request-to-send signal. This preliminary action allows the device to have advance knowledge of channel status in the first group, so that when data communication needs to start, the device can quickly determine availability without performing complete carrier sensing on all channels, thus improving communication efficiency while maintaining reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If carrier sensing is performed on part of the channels before receiving the first signal, then electric power consumption is reduced, but channel availability knowledge is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from the first signal (request-to-send signal) which contains channel information indicating which channels are available for data transmission. When the wireless communication device receives this signal, it learns about the availability status of channels in the second group through this feedback mechanism. This allows the device to reduce power consumption by not performing preliminary sensing on all channels, while still acquiring necessary channel availability knowledge through the feedback provided in the signaling protocol.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device performs first carrier sensing, regarding part of multiple channels that are candidates for receiving a first signal before reception of the first signal. After having received the first signal, the wireless communication device performs second carrier sensing regarding one or more channels, out of the plurality of channels, that are one or more channels corresponding to the channel information included in the first signal, and where at least the first carrier sensing has not been executed, before reception of data signals by transmission of a second signal.