Wireless Terminal Power Management via Target Wake Time Negotiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Next-generation WLAN systems face challenges in improving spectrum efficiency and area throughput, especially in dense environments with multiple access points and stations, and in outdoor settings, where existing technologies do not adequately manage power to enhance performance.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing power in wireless terminals by switching between awake and doze states based on power save mode, using target wake time requests and listen intervals to optimize beacon frame reception, allowing terminals to negotiate and adjust their power states for reduced standby consumption and improved efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless terminal continuously monitors beacon frames to maintain network synchronization, then network responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the wireless terminal switch between awake and doze states at regular intervals defined by TBTT and listen interval parameters. The terminal wakes up at scheduled TBTT moments to receive beacon frames, then enters doze state for specified listen intervals, creating a periodic monitoring pattern that reduces power consumption while maintaining network synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The TWT mechanism enables self-service by allowing the terminal to autonomously negotiate and store its own wake-up schedule (TBTT and listen interval) with the access point. Once negotiated, the terminal independently manages its own power states based on the pre-agreed schedule without requiring continuous AP intervention, reducing both power consumption and network overhead.
2Use of energy by moving object
If wireless terminal switches to doze state to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but beacon frame reception reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the terminal negotiate and establish its TBTT and listen interval schedule before entering doze state. The TWT request and response frames are exchanged in advance, allowing the terminal to know exactly when to wake up for beacon reception without needing to remain continuously awake, thus ensuring reliable beacon frame reception while maximizing power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The TWT mechanism incorporates feedback through the request-response frame exchange between terminal and access point. The access point acknowledges the terminal's power save requirements and confirms the negotiated TBTT and listen interval parameters, ensuring that the terminal's doze/wake schedule is synchronized with the network's beacon transmission schedule, thereby maintaining reception reliability.
3Loss of information
If wireless terminal remains in awake state to receive all beacon frames, then network awareness is improved, but standby power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the terminal to dynamically adjust its operational state between awake and doze modes based on the negotiated TWT parameters. The terminal transitions from a static always-awake state to a dynamic state machine that wakes only at necessary TBTT moments and remains in doze state during listen intervals, optimizing the balance between network awareness and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The TWT mechanism utilizes parameter changes by modifying the terminal's wake-up timing parameters (TBTT and listen interval) to match network conditions and power requirements. These parameters are negotiable and can be adjusted based on traffic patterns, allowing the terminal to optimize its awake/doze cycle to maintain adequate network awareness while minimizing standby power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing power of a wireless terminal in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system according to one embodiment includes: transmitting, by a first wireless terminal that switches between an awake state and a doze state based on a power save mode for power management, a target wake time (TWT) request frame for requesting first target beacon transmission time (TBTT) information, which indicates a reception time of a first beacon frame, and listen interval information, which indicates a reception interval for a subsequent beacon frame, to a second wireless terminal; receiving, by the first wireless terminal, a TWT response frame including the first TBTT information and the listen interval information from the second wireless terminal in response to the TWT request frame; switching, by the first wireless terminal, to the doze state after receiving the TWT response frame; switching, by the first wireless terminal, to the awake state according to the first TBTT information in order to receive the first beacon frame; and switching, by the first wireless terminal, to the doze state after receiving the first beacon frame.