Wireless Interface Power Management via Traffic-Based Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management methods for wireless communication apparatuses are inefficient in reducing power consumption, particularly due to independent control of power states for wireless and host transmission interfaces, leading to suboptimal power saving and increased energy waste.

Innovation Solution

A digital signal processing/ASIC controller is used to inspect and control the power states of both wireless and host transmission interfaces in real-time, implementing a dynamic power managing protocol that adjusts power modes based on traffic volume, utilizing distinct circuit areas for fast and slow wake-up modes and an inspecting area to optimize power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the wireless communication interface enters power saving mode based on predetermined time intervals, then power consumption is reduced during idle periods, but the interface must wake up at fixed intervals to maintain connection, resulting in wasted power during wake-up periods even when no traffic exists

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption of wireless communication interfaceVSAvoidtime spent in wake-up mode

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management where the wireless communication interface transitions between active and power-saving modes based on real-time traffic conditions. The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of the interface rather than following fixed time intervals, allowing it to remain in power-saving mode as long as no traffic is detected, and only wakes up when actual traffic arrives. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the wasteful fixed-schedule wake-ups described in the background.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the host transmission interface maintains continuous awareness to respond quickly to host commands, then connection reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliability between host and wireless interfaceVSAvoidpower consumption of host transmission interface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the host transmission interface control into multiple functional blocks with different power consumption characteristics. The system divides the interface into wake-up circuit blocks that can operate independently at lower power, and main control blocks that consume more power but are only activated when needed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain connection reliability through selective activation of control blocks while reducing overall power consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a power management controller as an intermediary between the host and the wireless communication interface. This controller manages the power states of various interface blocks, coordinating wake-up signals and traffic flow to ensure reliable communication while optimizing power consumption. The intermediary handles the complexity of power management, allowing the main interface blocks to operate in optimized power states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the wireless communication interface and host transmission interface are controlled independently for power saving, then each interface can optimize its own power consumption, but the overall power management efficiency decreases due to lack of coordination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual interface power optimizationVSAvoidoverall power management efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power management control of the wireless communication interface and host transmission interface under a unified power management controller. This unified controller coordinates the power states of both interfaces, ensuring they transition synchronously based on actual traffic conditions. By combining the control functions, the system achieves optimal overall power management efficiency while maintaining the ability to optimize each individual interface's power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9032227B2Wireless communication apparatus and power management method for the same

Publication Date: 2015.05.12 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

A wireless communication apparatus is adapted for communication between a host and a communication device. The wireless communication apparatus includes a host transmission interface adapted to be coupled to the host, a host transmission interface controller coupled to the host transmission interface, a wireless transmission interface adapted for communicating with the communication device so as to receive packet data therefrom, a wireless transmission interface controller coupled to the wireless transmission interface, and a processor coupled between the host transmission interface controller and the wireless transmission interface controller. The processor is operable to control a power state of the host transmission interface controller to enter a power consuming mode selected in accordance with a traffic volume.