WLAN Module Awake State Control for Connection Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable terminals compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard experience high probabilities of WLAN connection failures due to the Power Save Mechanism (PSM) causing missed reception of multicast and broadcast packets, such as DHCP and EAP, as they only stay awake during defined periodic intervals, leading to unreliable transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that control the WLAN module to remain in an awake state during WLAN connection procedures and toggle the PSM on/off to ensure reliable reception of broadcast and multicast packets, enhancing connection performance by preventing unnecessary connection retries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the Power Save Mechanism (PSM) is enabled to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the terminal may miss multicast and broadcast packets leading to connection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the PSM state based on connection phase. During initial connection and authentication phases, PSM is disabled to ensure reliable packet reception. After successful connection, PSM is enabled to reduce power consumption. This dynamic state transition resolves the contradiction between power saving and connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by disabling PSM before critical connection events (authentication, DHCP acquisition) occur. This ensures that the terminal is in an awake state and can reliably receive broadcast and multicast packets during these critical phases, preventing connection failures while still allowing power saving during stable connection phases.
2Reliability
If the terminal stays in awake state to receive all packets, then connection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operational timeline into distinct phases: connection establishment phase and stable connection phase. During the connection establishment phase, the terminal remains awake to ensure reliable packet reception. During the stable connection phase, the terminal transitions to sleep mode with PSM enabled. This temporal segmentation allows the system to achieve both reliability and power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic state transitions between awake and sleep modes based on connection status. The terminal periodically checks connection state and adjusts PSM accordingly, creating a rhythmic pattern of high-reliability operation during critical events and power-saving operation during stable periods.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the terminal uses periodic awake intervals to save power, then energy efficiency is improved, but multicast and broadcast packets may be missed during connection procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by disabling PSM and maintaining an awake state before critical connection events occur. This proactive approach ensures that DHCP offers, authentication frames, and other time-sensitive broadcast/multicast packets are not missed, preventing connection delays and failures while still allowing power saving during stable connection periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for connecting a portable terminal to a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) are provided. The method includes when a WLAN connection event occurs, performing a WLAN connection procedure by keeping a WLAN module in an awake state, and when the WLAN connection is complete, operating the WLAN module according to a Power Save Mechanism (PSM).