WLAN Module Power Management via Dynamic Beacon Interval Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable terminals with WLAN modules consume excessive power due to maintaining an awake state during beacon and DTIM intervals, even when the host processor is in a sleep mode, leading to unnecessary power waste.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust the beacon and DTIM intervals of the WLAN module based on the active/sleep state of the portable terminal, increasing these intervals when in sleep mode to minimize awake state operation time and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the WLAN module maintains an awake state during beacon and DTIM intervals to receive multicast or broadcast packets, then the reliability of packet reception is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon interval and DTIM interval are dynamically adjusted based on the host processor's operational state. When the host processor is active, the WLAN module uses shorter intervals to maintain reliable packet reception. When the host processor enters sleep mode, the intervals are extended to reduce power consumption while still allowing the WLAN module to function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameters (beacon interval and DTIM interval) of the WLAN module's operation based on system state. By modifying these interval parameters, the system achieves a balance between maintaining packet reception capability and reducing power consumption during idle periods.
2Speed
If the beacon interval and DTIM interval are shortened to ensure timely packet reception, then the responsiveness of the WLAN module is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the beacon and DTIM intervals based on whether the host processor is active or in sleep mode. This dynamic adjustment allows the WLAN module to be highly responsive when needed while conserving energy during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic wake-up cycles for the WLAN module, where the module wakes up at extended intervals to check for packets and then returns to sleep mode. This periodic action pattern reduces overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to receive packets when necessary.
3Reliability
If the WLAN module operates continuously in awake state to ensure no packet is missed, then the completeness of packet reception is improved, but the power waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static continuous operation mode to a dynamic adaptive mode where the WLAN module's operational characteristics change based on the host processor state. This ensures complete packet reception during active periods while minimizing energy loss during sleep periods.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the beacon and DTIM interval parameters based on system state, the patent achieves a balance between packet reception completeness and energy conservation. The parameters are adjusted to ensure no packets are missed when the host is active, while reducing power consumption when the host is sleeping.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for managing power of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) module in a portable terminal are provided. In the method, the WLAN module is operated according to a Power Save Mechanism (PSM). Whether the portable terminal operates in a sleep state is determined. At least one of a beacon interval and a Delivery Traffic Indication Map (DTIM) interval of the PSM is changed depending on whether the portable terminal operates in the sleep state.