WLAN Deep Sleep Oscillator Deactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional WLAN cards consume significant power in sleep mode due to active reference oscillators, leading to reduced battery life and data loss from deferred packet exchange and buffering issues.
Innovation Solution
A deep sleep mode is introduced where the physical connection oscillator is deactivated, reducing power consumption and allowing for extended battery life without deferring data packet exchange, thereby preventing data loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reference oscillator is kept active during sleep mode to stabilize WLAN card operation, then the reliability of communication is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reference oscillator from the always-on component list during sleep mode. Instead of keeping the oscillator active, the invention turns it off completely during sleep periods, separating the oscillation function into an on-demand component that only activates when needed for communication operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing frequency offset compensation values before entering sleep mode. The system performs channel estimation and offset calculation in advance, so that when the oscillator restarts after sleep, the previously calculated compensation values can be immediately applied without requiring the oscillator to remain active for calibration.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the WLAN card extends the time in sleep mode to conserve battery, then the battery lifetime is extended, but the data exchange is deferred and data loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the WLAN card periodically checks for buffered data at the access point by listening to beacon signals. When data is detected in the buffer, the system receives feedback to wake up and retrieve the data, ensuring no data loss while still maintaining extended sleep periods for battery conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action by having the WLAN card wake up at regular intervals to check for buffered data at the access point. This periodic listening mode allows the card to remain in low-power sleep mode for extended periods while still detecting and retrieving data in a timely manner, preventing data loss.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the physical connection oscillator is deactivated in deep sleep mode, then the power consumption is reduced to 1-2 mA, but the ability to immediately transmit and receive data is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing frequency offset compensation values before entering deep sleep mode. This allows the system to quickly resume data transmission after waking up without requiring the oscillator to remain active for calibration, thus maintaining fast data transmission speeds while enabling deep sleep power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the oscillator activation requirement from the data transmission process. By using pre-calculated compensation values stored in memory, the system separates the frequency stabilization function from the active transmission function, allowing the oscillator to be turned off completely during deep sleep while maintaining the ability to quickly resume transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) communication device for performing communication in a WLAN network is provided that comprises a physical connection unit, a physical connection oscillator, and a control unit. The physical connection unit is for providing a physical connection of the WLAN communication device to a wireless communication medium. The physical connection oscillator is for providing a physical connection clock signal to the physical connection unit. The control unit is for controlling operation of the physical connection oscillator. The WLAN communication device is operable in a communication mode and in a deep sleep mode. The control unit is adapted to deactivate the physical connection oscillator when the deep sleep mode is entered. Embodiments may provide an extended reduction of the power consumption of the WLAN communication device.