Wake-Up Radio Counter for WLAN STA Power Savings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless LAN systems, stations (STAs) operating in wake-up radio (WUR) mode unnecessarily consume power by waking up to update primary connectivity radio (PCR) system parameters, even if they are already up-to-date, due to the lack of a mechanism to efficiently check for parameter updates.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a counter field in WUR frames to determine if PCR system parameters have been updated, allowing STAs to maintain WUR mode unless a different counter value is detected, thereby avoiding unnecessary power consumption by only waking up to update parameters when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If STAs wake up to update PCR system parameters periodically, then system parameter updates are ensured, but unnecessary power consumption occurs when parameters are already up-to-date
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the AP includes a counter value in beacon frames indicating the current version of PCR system parameters. STAs compare this counter value with their stored version to determine whether an update is actually needed. This feedback loop allows STAs to receive update information only when parameters have changed, eliminating unnecessary wake-ups and power consumption while maintaining reliable parameter updates.
2Use of energy by moving object
If STAs maintain WUR mode continuously, then power consumption is reduced, but they cannot receive PCR system parameter updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the counter field as an intermediary information element that bridges WUR mode and PCR mode operations. The counter value is transmitted through beacon frames that STAs can receive even in WUR mode, allowing them to monitor parameter version changes without fully activating PCR mode. When the counter value changes, STAs know to wake up and update their parameters, thus maintaining low power consumption while ensuring information is not lost.
3Reliability
If STAs wake up to check for parameter updates, then parameter synchronization is maintained, but operational complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential update information (counter value) from the complex PCR system parameter structure and transmits it separately in beacon frames. STAs only need to compare this single counter value to determine if full parameter updates are needed, significantly reducing operational complexity while maintaining synchronization. This extraction approach simplifies the STA's decision-making process from evaluating entire parameter sets to comparing a single numeric value.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method by which a station (STA) receives a frame in a wireless LAN (WLAN), according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising: receiving a first primary connectivity radio (PCR) frame including a counter value related to a version of a PCR system parameter through a PCR; storing the counter value, which is acquired through the first PCR frame, and entering a wake-up radio (WUR) mode; receiving a first WUR frame through the WUR; and determining whether to perform wake up based on reception of the first WUR frame, wherein the first WUR frame includes a counter field, and the STA can determine whether to perform wake up based on whether a value of the counter field of the first WUR frame corresponds to the stored counter value.