Wireless Device Power Conservation via Time Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication devices face challenges in minimizing power consumption, especially during periods of inactivity, as existing power conservation states do not fully shut down hardware components, leading to ongoing power usage.
Innovation Solution
A new power conservation state is introduced where the wireless communication equipment does not track time and powers down all hardware components, obtaining a time reference before entering this state to resume tracking time when necessary, thereby reducing power consumption and prolonging battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the radio frequency module enters Power Saving Mode (PSM) and powers down a portion of hardware components, then power consumption is reduced, but time tracking must be maintained by powered timers which continues to consume power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the time tracking function from the powered hardware components and relocates it to the processor. When the radio frequency module enters PSM, the processor suspends time tracking instead of requiring dedicated powered timers, eliminating the need to maintain powered hardware components solely for timekeeping.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor is made multi-functional by requiring it to handle both application processing and time tracking duties. This consolidates functionality into a single component that can enter low-power states more effectively than multiple specialized components would allow.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If all hardware components are powered down to maximize power savings, then battery life is extended, but the device cannot track time or trigger periodic operations
Solution Approach 1:
The processor performs time tracking itself when needed, rather than relying on dedicated hardware timers. This self-service approach allows the device to maintain time tracking capability using the same processor that would otherwise be idle or in low-power mode, eliminating the need for separate powered timer components.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor suspends time tracking before entering the deepest power-saving state and resumes it upon waking. This preliminary suspension of non-critical functions allows the device to achieve maximum power savings while maintaining the ability to track time when operational needs require it.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the processor suspends time tracking in the new power conservation state, then power consumption is minimized, but the device must obtain and store time references to resume tracking accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces time references as an intermediary mechanism between the suspended time tracking function and the processor. When time tracking is suspended, the device obtains a time reference from the network and stores it, allowing the processor to resume accurate time tracking without requiring continuous operation of dedicated timer hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device (12) is configured for use in a wireless communication network (10). The wireless communication device (10) switches from a first state (S1), in which wireless communication equipment (16) of the wireless communication device (12) keeps track of time, to a second state (S2) in which the wireless communication equipment (16) does not keep track of time. Before or as part of switching from the first state (S1) to the second state (S2). the wireless communication device (12) obtains a time reference (22). While in the second state (S2), the wireless communication device (12) stores the time reference (22) in memory (24). After or as part of switching from the second state (S2) to the first state (S1), the wireless communication device (12) resumes track of time using the time reference (22).