Energy-efficient operation of a communication network

• US 8,103,238 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2007
• Issued: 01/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Husak, Jan, Lahner, Frank, Thamm, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Tuan A
• Application Number:
  US12/308,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20110250924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,489 Days
• Field of Search: 455/500, 455/502, 455507-516, 455 68- 69, 455/572, 455/574, 455/127.1, 455/127.5, 4553431-3436, 455/522, 370/311, 370/318
• US Class Current: 455/343.4
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method for wireless communication between a base station and a number of devices is provided, with the devices in each case having a limited energy supply. To establish a connection, the base station sends a sequence of synchronization signals on at least one of its communication channels. The devices in each case listen on their parameterized or unparameterized communication channel within a listening period, which is repeated with a repetition frequency that can be set. Outside the listening period, the device in question is set to an energy-saving mode. The length of the listening period, the repetition frequency and the energy consumption in the energy saving mode are synchronized with each other in such a way that the energy consumption up to the connection setup averaged over time does not exceed the energy consumption during normal operation of the device.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication between a base station and a plurality of devices, each of the devices having a limited energy supply, the base station having a search mode with a plurality of communication channels as well as a normal operating mode for communication with the devices, wherein synchronization signals are transmitted in a fixed time pattern via one of the communication channels, the method comprising:

sending a sequence of synchronization signals by the base station via one of the communication channels to establish a connection with the devices;

listening to the sequence of synchronization signals by the devices via the communication channel within a listening period set for each device with a repetition frequency;

switching the devices to a energy-saving mode in at least some time intervals outside the listening period; and

synchronizing the length of the listening period, the repetition frequency and a energy consumption in the energy-saving mode with each other for the devices such that a energy consumption up to the connection setup averaged over time does not exceed a energy consumption during normal operation, wherein the devices have a specific energy consumption in the normal operating mode by communicating with the base station.

2. The method for wireless communication as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices are parameterized or unparameterized in relation to one of the communication channels.

3. The method for wireless communication as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

sending a sequence of synchronization signals by the base station via a first channel of the communication channels, followed by a sequence of synchronization signals via a second channel of the communication channels to establish a connection with the devices.

4. The method for wireless communication as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

carrying out a number of successive sweep processes by the base station to establish a connection with the devices, wherein a sequence of synchronization signals in each sweep process is sent via a different communication channel.

5. The method for wireless communication as claimed in claim 1, wherein each device varies its communication channels.

6. The method for wireless communication as claimed in claim 5, wherein each device varies its communication channels periodically.

7. The method for wireless communication as claimed in claim 5, wherein each device communicates via another communication channel after communicating via one of the communication channels for a longer time interval.

8. The method for wireless communication as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy-saving mode is switched on for the entire period outside the listening periods.