Coordinated Power State and Medium Access for Wireless Transceivers

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Solution Overview

Problem

In combo wireless devices, individual management of transceiver multiplexing and power state control leads to reduced network performance and increased energy consumption, as transceivers often waste medium access time when scheduled to sleep during active intervals, causing interference and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A combo device scheduler coordinates power state transitions and medium access scheduling between coexisting wireless transceivers, alternately allocating the wireless medium and adjusting power states to minimize overlap between sleep and active periods, optimizing energy savings without sacrificing throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If transceivers use time multiplexing or frequency multiplexing to coordinate medium access, then interference between networks is reduced, but network performance decreases due to reduced medium time availability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidnetwork performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by establishing fixed time slots for different transceivers to access the medium. Each transceiver is assigned specific periodic intervals for transmission and reception, creating a rhythmic pattern of medium access that eliminates interference while maintaining efficient utilization of available time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the medium access schedule adaptive and configurable. The system can dynamically adjust time slot allocations, transmission powers, and frequency assignments based on network conditions, traffic demands, and interference patterns, allowing optimal performance under varying operational scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If transceivers are assigned sleep state to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but medium access capability is lost during sleep periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmedium access capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing and buffering data packets before the transceiver enters sleep mode. The system pre-processes and queues outgoing packets, and pre-receives incoming packets during active periods, so that the transceiver can remain in low-power state while still maintaining communication functionality through buffered data exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by implementing mechanisms that maintain communication functionality even when individual transceivers are in sleep state. Through coordinated scheduling, data buffering, and packet forwarding capabilities, the system ensures that communication tasks continue uninterrupted despite individual components being in low-power modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If individual management is used for transceiver multiplexing and power state control, then each transceiver can be optimized independently, but overall system efficiency decreases due to wasted medium access time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent optimizationVSAvoidsystem efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating the power state management and medium access scheduling functions into a unified coordinated system. Rather than independently managing each transceiver's power states and access patterns, the system combines these controls to ensure that power saving actions do not conflict with medium access requirements, eliminating wasted time and improving overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by creating a centralized controller that manages multiple transceivers with diverse functions. This universal control mechanism handles power state transitions, medium access scheduling, data buffering, and packet forwarding across different transceiver types and network protocols, providing coordinated optimization that benefits the entire system rather than individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8670362B2Power state and medium access coordination in coexisting wireless networks

Publication Date: 2014.03.11 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

Apparatus and method for improving throughput in a wireless device accessing coexisting networks. In one embodiment, a wireless device includes first and second wireless transceivers, a power state controller, and an access controller. The first wireless transceiver is configured to access a first wireless network. The second wireless transceiver is configured to access a second wireless network. The power state controller is configured to switch the first wireless transceiver between an active state and a sleep state. The power consumed by the first wireless transceiver while in the sleep state is reduced relative to the active state. The access controller is configured to alternately allocate a wireless medium to the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless transceiver. The power state controller and the medium access controller are configured to coordinate power state switching of the first wireless transceiver and wireless medium access by the second wireless transceiver.