WLAN AP Power Coordination With 5G RRC Sleep State Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications systems, the WLAN AP is often unaware of RRC state transitions or power-saving mode events of the cellular modem, leading to sub-optimal power management and potential disruptions in traffic flows between the access device and stations, particularly for high-priority or latency-sensitive data.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a quality of service manager that coordinates power modes between the WLAN AP and cellular modem based on RRC state transitions and power-saving events, ensuring synchronized sleep schedules and efficient power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the WLAN AP operates independently without awareness of cellular modem RRC state transitions, then the AP can manage WLAN traffic autonomously, but power management becomes sub-optimal and traffic disruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The access device implements a feedback mechanism where the cellular modem reports RRC state transitions and power-saving mode events to the WLAN AP. This feedback loop enables the AP to adjust its power management decisions based on actual cellular network conditions, resolving the contradiction between autonomous operation and coordinated power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary coordination mechanism between the cellular modem and WLAN AP, where state transition information is exchanged through a shared control structure. This intermediary layer enables both components to maintain their operational independence while achieving synchronized power management.
2Loss of energy
If the WLAN AP allows sleep mode for all stations, then power savings are maximized, but latency-sensitive traffic experiences disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The access device applies different sleep mode policies to different stations based on their traffic characteristics. Latency-sensitive stations are excluded from sleep mode during critical periods, while non-latency-sensitive stations can enter sleep mode. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between energy savings and traffic reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic sleep mode configuration where the AP adjusts sleep allowances in real-time based on current RRC state transitions and traffic conditions. The sleep mode parameters are not fixed but dynamically adapted to match network conditions, enabling optimal balance between power savings and traffic continuity.
3Loss of energy
If the access device transitions to RRC idle state to save power, then overall device power consumption decreases, but WLAN traffic may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
Before transitioning to RRC idle state, the access device performs preliminary actions by buffering critical traffic and establishing wake-up conditions. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the device needs to resume active state, traffic continuity is maintained without disruption, resolving the contradiction between power savings and traffic reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for coordinating sleep modes between a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) and a cellular modem of an access point. In one aspect, the access point may obtain, from the cellular modem, information relating to a radio resource control (RRC) state transition or one or more power-saving events of the cellular modem and may select a power mode for the WLAN AP of the access device in accordance with the obtained information. In some implementations, selecting the power mode for the WLAN AP may include configuring the WLAN AP to either accept or reject a sleep mode request from a station (STA) served by the WLAN AP. As such, the access device may communicate with the STA using the WLAN AP in accordance with the accepted or rejected sleep mode request.