Wireless Power Management via Dynamic Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power management schemes in wireless communication networks are inefficient in minimizing power consumption during beacon intervals, particularly in contention-based periods, as they do not effectively allow stations to switch between active and power-save modes without disrupting communication.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power management scheme that enables wireless communication devices to switch between active and power-save modes within beacon intervals by sending specific frames with a power-mode bit to control points or other stations, allowing devices to adjust their operational modes dynamically based on acknowledged notifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a station switches to power-save mode during beacon intervals, then power consumption is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates because the station may miss transmissions during contention-based periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management where stations can flexibly switch between active and power-save modes based on real-time communication needs. The power-mode bit in frames enables dynamic state transitions, allowing stations to adapt their power consumption levels while maintaining communication reliability through coordinated mode changes notified to network participants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms through power-mode bits transmitted in frames during beacon intervals. These bits provide network participants with information about a station's power state, enabling them to adjust their transmission strategies accordingly. This feedback loop ensures communication reliability is maintained even when stations operate in power-save mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a station remains in active mode during beacon intervals, then communication reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic power management aligned with beacon intervals. Stations can systematically switch to power-save mode during specific beacon intervals while remaining active during others, creating a periodic pattern of high and low power consumption. This approach maintains overall communication reliability while reducing average power consumption through structured, periodic idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables dynamic adjustment of power states at the discretion of individual stations based on their specific power requirements and communication patterns. Not all stations need to remain active during every beacon interval, allowing each station to dynamically optimize its power consumption while the network as a whole maintains reliability through the coordinated actions of all participants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If a station switches power mode without notification, then power consumption is reduced, but network coordination deteriorates causing communication disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidnetwork coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent requires stations to provide preliminary notification of their intended power-mode transitions through power-mode bits in transmitted frames. This advance notification allows network participants to prepare for the station's mode change, maintaining proper coordination. The preliminary action of announcing power-state intentions prevents communication disruptions while still enabling power-saving operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2555565B1Devices and method of power management in a wireless area network

Publication Date: 2017.11.15 INTEL CORP

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AI summary

A first wireless communication device includes a wireless communication unit to transmit to a control point of a wireless network an information request frame identifying a second wireless communication device in the wireless network; wherein the wireless communication unit is to receive from the control point a response including wakeup information indicating a wakeup schedule of the second wireless communication device; and wherein, based on the wakeup information, the wireless communication unit is to transmit a wireless transmission to the second wireless communication device during a wakeup period indicated in the wakeup schedule. The wireless communication unit transmits a wireless transmission directly to the latter device during the wakeup period based on the wakeup information. The device facilitates power consumption by switching a station from an active mode of operation to a power save mode of operation, thus prolonging service life of a battery.