WLAN Power Saving via Data Accumulation Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless network devices face inefficiencies in power saving due to frequent service periods and overhead from short frame transmissions, leading to increased power consumption and reduced transmission efficiency in WLANs, particularly when devices frequently check for buffered data without sufficient accumulation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing data accumulation rules, such as minimum transmission units (MTU) and accumulation times (AT), to control service period initiation, allowing devices to transmit larger aggregates and reduce awake-time, thereby improving air interface efficiency and lowering power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If devices frequently check for buffered data without sufficient accumulation, then data transmission responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases and transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements data accumulation rules that require data to be accumulated to a minimum threshold (minimum transmission unit MTU or accumulation time AT) before triggering a service period. This preliminary accumulation action prevents premature transmissions and allows devices to remain in sleep mode longer, reducing power consumption while maintaining transmission responsiveness when actual data is ready.
2Speed
If devices frequently check for buffered data, then data transmission responsiveness is improved, but transmission efficiency decreases due to overhead from short frame transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple small data units into larger aggregated transmissions by implementing minimum transmission unit (MTU) rules. Instead of transmitting numerous short frames individually, the system accumulates data until it meets the MTU threshold, combining multiple small transmissions into fewer larger ones. This reduces MAC header overhead and improves air interface efficiency while maintaining responsiveness through the accumulation time mechanism.
3Speed
If service periods are initiated frequently, then data transmission responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases due to increased awake-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary accumulation rules (minimum transmission unit MTU and accumulation time AT) that must be satisfied before a service period is initiated. This preliminary check prevents frequent service period activations by requiring data to accumulate to a sufficient level first, thereby extending the duration devices can remain in sleep mode and reducing total awake-time while preserving transmission responsiveness.
4Productivity
If data accumulation rules are implemented, then transmission efficiency and power saving are improved, but service period initiation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages complexity by defining specific, quantifiable parameters for data accumulation: minimum transmission unit (MTU) in bytes and accumulation time (AT) in time units. These parameter-based rules provide clear, objective criteria for service period initiation, transforming a complex decision-making process into a straightforward parameter comparison. The standardized parameters enable efficient implementation while maintaining transmission efficiency and power saving benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided, for example, a method, comprising: transmitting, by a wireless device, a data accumulation request to an access node of a wireless network, wherein the data accumulation request comprises at least one downlink accumulation rule for accumulating downlink data; receiving a message from the access node, wherein the message indicates that there is downlink data in the access node for the wireless device; and triggering a service period for receiving the downlink data from the access node upon determining, on the basis of the received message, that the downlink data satisfies the at least one downlink accumulation rule.