wifi power consumption - Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm wondering, does it make any significant difference in power consumption if I leave wifi on when I leave home, vs if I turn it off? I would be using mobile data outside, but wifi would still be scanning for networks which I won't use.

jzmtl said:
I'm wondering, does it make any significant difference in power consumption if I leave wifi on when I leave home, vs if I turn it off? I would be using mobile data outside, but wifi would still be scanning for networks which I won't use.
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Yes it does, as you would have found out by either doing a search of existing threads or by empirical experiment. Wifi power consumption can vary widely depending on the transmit level necessary to establish a connection with the access point. Power usage can be heavy if your wifi is constantly scanning and transmitting at full power.
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Even if you turn off wifi, you may also want to disable the 'Always allow scanning' option (in the WiFi -> Advanced menu). Otherwise Google location service may turn it on to scan for the network.

fffft said:
Yes it does, as you would have found out by either doing a search of existing threads or by empirical experiment. Wifi power consumption can vary widely depending on the transmit level necessary to establish a connection with the access point. Power usage can be heavy if your wifi is constantly scanning and transmitting at full power.
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Search for wifi power consumption had no result in this subforum.
The question is if it'll be significant enough to notice in daily use, which I take you don't actually know?

jzmtl said:
Search for wifi power consumption had no result in this subforum.
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Your search skills could use improvement. If one has the judgement not to confine their search to only one subforum, not to mention trying several sets of search keywords, a thirty second search returns numerous relevant results.
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fffft said:
Your search skills could use improvement. If one has the judgement not to confine their search to only one subforum, not to mention trying several sets of search keywords, a thirty second search returns numerous relevant results.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm sorry to not be the master of forums, so humor me and link to the relevant thread that you've already found.

Related

Powersave & Wifi

Dear all,
I'm wondering about Wifi telephony on the QTEK 9100.
It works fairly well with various software soutions. However, the phone has to stay "fully on" (except backlight) in order for th Wifi connection to remain up. This alters battery life severely.
I'm wondering if it is possible to have the Wifi connection stay up during power save mode, with some kind of "Wake on WLAN" event that would wake up the phone so that IP phone software can process incoming data.
Some of it already happens for GSM. I'm wondering whether the GSM part is "fully independant" (like on a different processor), or if it's handled by the main processor. In the later case, it may be possible to achieve something similar with Wifi telephony.
Thanks in advance for any hint.
so there is no way having WIFI enabled and lettign the pda go to sleep mode / power save mode ??
is there an APP that leaves power save mode off if the WIFI is enabled, so only the screen goes of light, and the pda stays on ?
P.
nbougues said:
Some of it already happens for GSM. I'm wondering whether the GSM part is "fully independant" (like on a different processor), or if it's handled by the main processor. In the later case, it may be possible to achieve something similar with Wifi telephony.
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Click to collapse
It's fully independent. It's very cleverly written; this is why, for example, listening to incoming IMAP IDLE or Push Mail callbacks don't require the CPU at all.
yes i got that part on my own, thats why the GPRS connection stays on... but still there should be a registry somewhere to prevent device to go to sleep if WIFI conneciton is made..
tried all the powermode stuff in regisrty, nothn worked... out of clue...
papizdono said:
yes i got that part on my own, thats why the GPRS connection stays on... but still there should be a registry somewhere to prevent device to go to sleep if WIFI conneciton is made..
tried all the powermode stuff in regisrty, nothn worked... out of clue...
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Click to collapse
I don't think you can do this - the WI-Fi module is completely independent of the radio module. Furthermore, you'll constantly need a LOT of power to keep the Wi-Fi connection up, as opposed to GSM/GPRS, where handshaking is only done during roaming to another cell and/or every (AFAIK) 10-20 minutes. Otherwise, the PDA doesn't trasmit anything, a sopposed to the Wi-Fi case.
That is, it seem sit's impossible to do any long-term Wi-Fi "listening" in the current Wi-Fi / PPC architecture.
papizdono said:
yes i got that part on my own, thats why the GPRS connection stays on... but still there should be a registry somewhere to prevent device to go to sleep if WIFI conneciton is made..
tried all the powermode stuff in regisrty, nothn worked... out of clue...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you can do this - the WI-Fi module is completely independent of the radio module. Furthermore, you'll constantly need a LOT of power to keep the Wi-Fi connection up, as opposed to GSM/GPRS, where handshaking is only done during roaming to another cell and/or every (AFAIK) 10-20 minutes. Otherwise, the PDA doesn't trasmit anything, a sopposed to the Wi-Fi case.
That is, it seem sit's impossible to do any long-term Wi-Fi "listening" in the current Wi-Fi / PPC architecture.
all i need is a tool that disables POWERSAVE mode if WIFI connections is made, or even if WIFI is enabled...
that would do all the work....
anyone ?
i think the closest thing is in phm powertoys (http://www.phm.lu/products/PocketPC/PowerToys/)
the screensaver option... what it does is turn off your touchscreen like in "sleep" mode but if u use this you might want to disable the power save option cause while u have screensaver on its still gonna count down n shut off ur ppc hope this helps!

how can i stop my mobile web from connecting by itself!?

19 hours it was connect for before i realised!! seriously i was kinda annoyed.
ive changed the settings on twitter and weather so they only update manually but is there anything else i need to do.
thanks
x
Is this because you are worried about going over your internet allowance (500mbish) or because you want to save on battery? I'm a tad concerned about both and I would feel better if I could easily disable mobile web activating every so often.
All Settings --> Connections --> Connections --> Advanced --> Select Networks
There, select "My work Network". That will only allow it to connect through WiFi.
download nodata
it's available on here..
also touch x datadisconnect..
freyberry said:
All Settings --> Connections --> Connections --> Advanced --> Select Networks
There, select "My work Network". That will only allow it to connect through WiFi.
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Click to collapse
got to connections selected adavanced network and theres a drop down bar that says HSDPA/HSUPA, disable or HSDPA only???
have i gone wrong some where? sorry im a bit thick haha
@CharGuitarGirl said:
got to connections selected adavanced network and theres a drop down bar that says HSDPA/HSUPA, disable or HSDPA only???
have i gone wrong some where? sorry im a bit thick haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
get the cab I mentioned..
freyberry said:
All Settings --> Connections --> Connections --> Advanced --> Select Networks
There, select "My work Network". That will only allow it to connect through WiFi.
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Click to collapse
I'm afraid the only way to actually disable data connections is NoData (i uploaded it for you). If you change your connection settings it won't connect via HSDPA or GPRS but it will connect via WAP.
If you install NoData simply make a shortcut to it and turn on data connections whenever you need them.
@CharGuitarGirl said:
got to connections selected adavanced network and theres a drop down bar that says HSDPA/HSUPA, disable or HSDPA only???
have i gone wrong some where? sorry im a bit thick haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
contact HTC in your region, they send you a cab file that can disable all your data connections...alternatively there are a good few programs avl. on here as well.
hi
disable automatic updates in your weather program
The method provided by freyberry worked for me until I looked at my phone this morning, instead of Mobile Web it said "Pay Monthly Contract" and was active for 12 hours!
I guess I should get that cab!
@CharGuitarGirl said:
19 hours it was connect for before i realised!! seriously i was kinda annoyed.
ive changed the settings on twitter and weather so they only update manually but is there anything else i need to do.
thanks
x
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you want to stop it connecting?
You are only charged for actual data transfer, not for time connected, and the amount of data used for FB and Twitter updates is relatively small anyway.
If you are being charged for all data I can understand your problem as you would want to stop some of the background downloads, otherwise there's really no point. The effect on battery life by disconnecting (as opposed to switching to GSM) is miniscule.
gregormax said:
If you install NoData simply make a shortcut to it and turn on data connections whenever you need them.
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probably giving you a right headache now but, how do i do that ^
If you get charged for this, just tell the carrier that you accidently enabled it and didn't mean to use any data usage.
neilm i worry about it being left on. i realise that for the 19 hours it was left on it only used 3mb but it just niggles away at me, if i cant really disable it when i want & effectively i'll just accept it and try not to worry about it.
NeilM said:
The effect on battery life by disconnecting (as opposed to switching to GSM) is miniscule.
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Click to collapse
Hi, i have already used all methods discussed above. i have nodata and i also use the on/off switch to 3G network. The thing is that there IS a difference in battery times with all these... with 3G on and connection on battery lasts about 24 hours with minimal use. With 2G and connection on battery lasts 48 hours (2 days) with minimal use. With 2G and connection OFF from nodata it can hold 4 days on a single charge!
At least thats happening with my battery, coz i heard some stories about batteries holding 6-9 hours which never happened to me unless im using it fully for those 9 hours...
PS: by minimal usage i mean a couple of phone calls, a couple of sms and around 10-15 mins of internet connection either wifi or gprs just to update weather, twitter, email etc. The rest of its time, in sleep mode.
@CharGuitarGirl said:
neilm i worry about it being left on. i realise that for the 19 hours it was left on it only used 3mb but it just niggles away at me, if i cant really disable it when i want & effectively i'll just accept it and try not to worry about it.
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Click to collapse
I'd say that 3MB in 19 hours without knowingly using any data is a bit of a concern
It may be wise to look into the updating schedules for location services, weather, twitter and Facebook (if you use them) and Stocks and Shares. The stocks and shares stuff does use a lot of data if you don't change the default settings.
For NoData- download the nodata.cab file to your phone then use File Explorer to locate it. Tap the filename to run it and this will install the program and place a shortcut in your Programs folder. You could then add the shortcut as one of the 9 links on the home page for easy access, to turn the data connection on & off at will
djngal said:
Hi, i have already used all methods discussed above. i have nodata and i also use the on/off switch to 3G network. The thing is that there IS a difference in battery times with all these... with 3G on and connection on battery lasts about 24 hours with minimal use. With 2G and connection on battery lasts 48 hours (2 days) with minimal use. With 2G and connection OFF from nodata it can hold 4 days on a single charge!
At least thats happening with my battery, coz i heard some stories about batteries holding 6-9 hours which never happened to me unless im using it fully for those 9 hours...
PS: by minimal usage i mean a couple of phone calls, a couple of sms and around 10-15 mins of internet connection either wifi or gprs just to update weather, twitter, email etc. The rest of its time, in sleep mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If those figures are typical for you, then you are doing very well! Most users see about 25-30% improvement by turning off 3G, and significantly less for turning data off.
It's important to realise that it is mostly data transfer that uses battery power, not the state of being connected or not. To go 4 days without any data transfer at all would mean a substantial reduction in overall device functionality, as you'd be simply using the installed programs in self contained mode- that may well limit the amount you even turn it on, so saving even more power. No email/web browsing/weather etc may well improve the battery life, but at what expense in terms of functionality?
As I mention above, it might be better to find out which programs are downloading data and at what intervals, and modify those settings to save both data use and battery life.
Not quite sure I am after the same as the op, but its close and I don't see the point in starting a new thread.
But I want my hd2 to use Wifi when I am connected to it and not the 3g connection. Had a quick search, but maybe I am using the wrong terms!! as i couldnt find anything.
keith43 said:
Not quite sure I am after the same as the op, but its close and I don't see the point in starting a new thread.
But I want my hd2 to use Wifi when I am connected to it and not the 3g connection. Had a quick search, but maybe I am using the wrong terms!! as i couldnt find anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The HD2 and all Windows Mobile phones ought to use an open WiFi connection in preference to the phone signal without you having to do anything.
There are some provisos though:
It must be a valid WiFi connection, so check that the device can use the WiFi signal properly
The data session needs to be initiated after the WiFi is turned on, or it may continue using the phone signal. So, for web browsing, exit the browser, and restart it after turning on WiFi. Stuff such as location services, weather updates etc might continue using the phone, but the amount of data they use is relatively small unless you have a very short update interval.
Wonder if anybody has made a cab: "Connect ONLY and ONLY using WiFi"
*lol*
if there is - I will get it

[Q] Wifi, save battery..

How change Wifi Power Level to save battery ? For example at my home, my Wifi acces is at 2 meters...
I don't think it works like that - a wifi receiver as in the A500 consumes as much power as it need to get the signal. It's the transmitter (on your router) that can be changed to save power.
Can the A500 be used ans a wifi repeater-type thing, to extrend wifi range (if so, then it would use more power to do that)?
The WiFi is an transceiver full-duplex
So, sure in receiver you can't change anything in consumption, but in transmit if you change the power in transmitting, your decrease the power in consumption of energie
Hard to imagine wanting to reduce your WiFi signal. Most hardware and software if made to optimize the signal. If you're trying to reduce power consumption try something like "CPU Tuner" which adjusts many factors both automatically (or fine tuned by you) to improve battery life.
The other option of course is to turn off WiFi if you don't need it constantly. Put a switch on your home page to allow quick on/off capability to make it a snap to do this on the fly.
LePocketPc said:
How change Wifi Power Level to save battery ? For example at my home, my Wifi acces is at 2 meters...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same issue with my first a500-16gb, I called acer support, described the issue and they directed me to exchange the unit. The second one worked normally and could get a good signal throughout the entire house.
On closing the case they indicated that there were a batch of units identified with defective wifi chips on-board.....

data connection

how can i do that my data connection stay alive when i standby the device?
(for example holding icq or fim working in standby)
i found something that does exactly this with WiFi but not with data connections...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=636656 in this thread the seventh app
When you say data connection do you mean Wifi?
To keep wifi you can use any register editor (SKTools for example). Then search for this entry "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\BCMSDDHD1\Parms".
When you've found it look for a key named "HTCKeepWifiOnWhenUnattended=0" and modify the 0 and type 1. It must be like this: HTCKeepWifiOnWhenUnattended=1
I did this way and it worked. Anyways if you are not sure how to do it you can search for a .cab "WiFi Stay Awake" that do the step above.
You must be aware that use this trick to enable wifi while staying in "stand by" drains your battery faster and depending how much you use your htc mega won't last for a day. Hope this help
no i dont mean wifi i mean the internet connection
on german its called "Datenverbindung" in english this would be data connection that why i wrote that
but i mean the internet (GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA)
the connection closes when i lock my phone and turn display off (standby i guess)
Oh, I looked at the 7th app and saw "7th cab - Makes ur WiFi stay awake when the phone get's locked , usefull when using Skype(or similar) or dont want to connect/disconnect/reconnect every time u leave it for a minute and it goes in standby". That's why I thought that.
I'm not sure then because I don't use data connection but maybe there is an entry like the "HTCKeepWifiOnWhenUnattended". Try to look @ it.
ok i searched but didn't found anything...
nobody any idea?..
Spacii said:
nobody any idea?..
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Click to collapse
Try these two applications.
these 2 tools are only to disable the GPRS/EDGE/3G connection...
i want some help keeping the connections alive when i turn of my phones screen....
still having this issue :/

location settings and battery drain

I am confused in regard to two settings that I have noticed affects my idle battery drain significantly , even though my phone sleeps well with them on :
1- Google Wi-Fi & mobile location
2- and under advanced Wi-Fi settings: always allow scanning
I finally , after years of struggle with Android, have managed to achieve battery lives like people claim. My problem was Immense drain during idle time. My phone can never survive the say without the need for charging. Even when I am not touching.
After putting compulsion kernel and turning these two off, underclocking my cpu to 97 mhz and 2ghz on wheatley governor, my phone is sitting at 77 % 1 day and 3 hours idling . I left all services syncing on , including gvoice and whatsapp. I dont have facebook or twitter. It has also been on LTE this entire time and GPS on.
This is not really a battery stats thread.
My question is , Idle stats are really important to me, and i dont really understand the use for the above mentioned options and the difference between the two. Are they vital for anything at all ? can i leave them off al the time without any significant location deterioration ?
Thank you all !
<speculation>
#1 is only a grant of permission to collect location data from your handset - but not a power management control. It might mean that a small amount of additional data traffic occurs when either GPS or WiFi are already on - but doesn't affect *whether* those devices (WiFi and GPS) are powered up. So it applies at all times but is only meaningful when those devices are enabled by other means - either manually or automatically. Think of it as nothing other than a legal escape hatch for Google against privacy violation lawsuits.
#2 allows the *WiFi* hardware to be powered up for *reception* (probably with no indication that it is indeed dissipating power!) - but it won't try to associate and connect with any WiFi APs that you have set up. It is listening for beacons only*, and possibly band-hopping, if not channel hopping**. Think of it as "receive only WiFi"
It is my *guess* that #1 affects #2 - there shouldn't be any data collection if you have not allowed it so the #2 toggle state should not do anything if #1 is set to disable.
Having the WiFi radio in receive-only mode might not really use any noticeable amount of power for two reasons: 1st, because operating a radio in Rx mode only uses far less power than Tx mode, and 2nd because it is possible that when both #1 & #2 are enabled, the WiFi radio is only polled, rather than left on full-time. So, it's duty cycle might be extremely low.
</speculation>
None of the above speculation has been confirmed by me by looking at source code.
Whether or not this is important to you depends on your need for high precision location information. Parents that snoop on their kids' handset locations might want that WiFi listener stuff turned on - GPS does not work indoors in many locations.
HTH
* note that the geolocation databases (that map WiFi AP MAC addresses/SSIDs to lat/lon) are on Google servers, not on your phone - so this implies that there must be a way to get the data to Google even if the WiFi is "pseudo-off: receiving but not transmitting". Presumably this would then happen via the Mobile Data radio (LTE/CDMA/1xRTT)... which - perversely - would use even more power than a WiFi connection (for the same data).
**WiFi APs are supposed to broadcast their beacons on all channels (the beacon packet tells the STAs what the correct channel they should "talk" to the AP on). So it might be necessary to band-hop the receiver to account for single band APs, even if it is not strictly necessary to channel-hop within a band to observe available beacons. In any event, bear in mind that power usage by WiFi chips that are never transmitting is far lower than when transmission by the WiFi radio is also occuring.

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