Wireless Station Sleep-Wake Cycle for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices in wireless communication networks expend significant power and time determining when a communication medium is available for transmission, leading to reduced battery life and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where devices can wake from a sleep state, determine the availability of the transmission medium, and enter a second sleep state based on a calculated sleep time period, with the option to decrement a backoff counter when the medium is available, allowing for efficient data transmission when the counter reaches zero.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices continuously monitor the communication medium to determine availability, then transmission reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device alternates between wake states (monitoring medium availability) and sleep states (conserving power) in periodic cycles. During wake states, the device monitors the communication medium for availability. During sleep states, the device powers down to conserve energy. This periodic alternation resolves the contradiction by achieving transmission reliability only when needed while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary monitoring during wake states to determine medium availability before attempting transmission. By checking availability in advance during periodic wake periods, the device avoids wasting power on transmission attempts when the medium is unavailable, thus resolving the contradiction between ensuring reliable transmission and minimizing power consumption.
2Productivity
If devices determine medium availability frequently, then data transmission speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses periodic wake-sleep cycles to monitor medium availability at intervals rather than continuously. During wake periods, the device checks for medium availability and can transmit data if available, maintaining productivity. During sleep periods, the device conserves power by shutting down. This periodic approach resolves the contradiction by balancing transmission speed requirements with power consumption constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically adjusts its monitoring behavior based on data buffer status and medium conditions. When data is available for transmission, the device wakes more frequently to check medium availability, improving transmission speed. When no data is pending, the device remains in sleep mode longer, reducing power consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between transmission speed and power usage.
3Speed
If devices remain in active state to quickly transmit data, then transmission responsiveness is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device alternates between active and sleep states in periodic cycles, rather than remaining continuously active. During periodic wake states, the device is responsive to transmission opportunities. During sleep states, the device conserves battery power. This periodic operation resolves the contradiction by providing transmission responsiveness when needed while extending battery life through reduced active time.
Solution Approach 2:
The device autonomously manages its own power consumption by implementing sleep-wake cycles based on data availability and medium conditions. The device wakes itself when data is ready for transmission and returns to sleep when transmission is complete or no data is pending, without requiring continuous external power management. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction between transmission responsiveness and battery life extension.
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the disclosure provides a method for wireless communication by a station or wireless device. The method includes waking from a sleep state. Further, the method includes determining an availability of a transmission medium. In addition, in response to determining that the transmission medium is not available, the method can include determining a sleep time period, entering a second sleep state based on the sleep time period, and freezing a backoff counter for the duration of the second sleep state.