Wireless Network Interface Power State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices and network interfaces face inefficiencies in power consumption when transmitting or receiving data via wireless networks, often remaining in an active state longer than necessary, which reduces battery life and increases power usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power management system that coordinates with the computing device to determine when to transition between active and reduced power states based on data transmission schedules or inactivity timers, using indicators within data packets to signal power state changes, thereby optimizing power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the network interface remains in an active state to ensure data transmission readiness, then data transmission responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network interface dynamically transitions between active and low-power states based on transmission needs. The system adjusts its operational state in real-time, switching to active mode when data transmission is required and returning to low-power mode when idle, thereby optimizing the balance between responsiveness and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The network interface uses periodic beacon frames and inactivity timers to manage power states. Instead of remaining continuously active, the interface periodically checks for transmission needs and transitions to low-power state after a defined inactivity period, achieving energy efficiency while maintaining transmission capability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the network interface transitions to reduced power state quickly to save energy, then power efficiency is improved, but data transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by setting up power management parameters and inactivity timers in advance. The network interface pre-configures transition thresholds and beacon intervals, allowing it to make immediate decisions about state transitions without delay when transmission conditions change.
Solution Approach 2:
The network interface uses feedback mechanisms through beacon frames and acknowledgment packets to monitor transmission status. When data transmission is detected or anticipated, the interface receives feedback signals that trigger immediate transition to active state, minimizing delay while maintaining power efficiency during idle periods.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a wireless transceiver configured to communicate data with a network device. The apparatus also includes a processing device, operatively coupled with the wireless transceiver. The processing device is configured to determine whether a computing device coupled to the apparatus has data to transmit to the network device. The processing device is also configured to transmit a first message indicating that the computing device does not have data to transmit to the other device in response to determining that the computing device does not have data to transmit to the network device. The processing device is further configured to transition the apparatus to a reduced power state. The apparatus uses less power in the reduced power state than in an active state.