Wireless Network Power Management via Link Status Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for managing power consumption in wireless network devices are inefficient and require manual user intervention, lacking automation and adaptability to different operational statuses.

Innovation Solution

A power managing method that automatically adjusts the power consumption of wireless network apparatuses by periodically detecting their operational status to enter either an inactive power-saving mode when not in use or a leisure power-saving mode based on beacon information when in a link status, using a detecting unit and power mode controlling unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If manual power management is used by user, then power consumption can be controlled, but user convenience deteriorates and management efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless network apparatus automatically monitors its own operating status and autonomously transitions between power-saving modes without requiring manual user intervention. The device self-manages power consumption by detecting link status changes and beacon information, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and user convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors operating status (link status, beacon reception) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust power consumption. This closed-loop control enables automatic power management that responds to real-time conditions, eliminating the need for manual control while optimizing energy usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If wireless network apparatus operates continuously to maintain readiness, then response speed is fast, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless network apparatus dynamically adjusts its operational state based on current needs, transitioning between active and power-saving modes. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain fast response when necessary while conserving power during idle periods, resolving the contradiction between speed and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic beacon reception to determine when to wake from power-saving mode. By synchronizing with periodic beacons rather than maintaining continuous operation, the device achieves both power savings and timely response to network events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If automatic power management is implemented, then user convenience improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic power management leverages existing self-monitoring capabilities of the wireless network apparatus. By building upon the device's inherent ability to detect its own status, the system achieves automatic power management without requiring complex external control mechanisms, thus limiting the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Duration of action of moving object

If power-saving modes are used, then battery life is extended, but network responsiveness may be delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidnetwork responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system wakes periodically to receive beacons that indicate whether data is pending. This periodic wake-up mechanism balances battery conservation with network responsiveness, allowing the device to sleep most of the time while still detecting network activity in a timely manner through beacon synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8107378B2Power managing method applied to a wireless network apparatus and power management thereof

Publication Date: 2012.01.31 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

A power managing method applied to a wireless network apparatus includes the steps of periodically detecting whether the wireless network apparatus is operated in a non-link status to determine whether to enter a first power-saving mode when the wireless network apparatus powered on; and determining the wireless network apparatus whether to enter a second power-saving mode according to an information of a beacon received by the wireless network apparatus when the wireless network apparatus is operated in a link status. When the wireless network apparatus is detected to be operated in the non-link status, control the wireless network apparatus to enter the first power-saving mode by a power mode controlling circuit. The first power-saving mode is an inactive power-saving mode, and the second power-saving mode is a linked power-saving mode.