SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RETRIEVING BUFFERED DATA FROM AN ACCESS POINT

• US 20080146253A1
• Filed: 12/12/2007
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Conexant Systems Incorporated (Synaptics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wentink, Menzo
• Granted Patent: US 8,849,315 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/458
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/02 by periodical registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Systems and methods for retrieving data from an access point within a wireless communications system are described. At least one embodiment includes a method for retrieving buffered data in a wireless communication system. In accordance with some embodiments, the method comprises transmitting a paging request to a plurality of access points while in a low power mode, receiving a Paging Indication element or a TIM Response element while remaining in low power mode, and exiting low power mode if buffered data is present and retrieving the buffered data. The Paging Indication element or TIM Response element indicates whether buffered data is present.

Claims

1. A method for retrieving buffered data in a wireless communication system comprising:

transmitting a Paging Request to one or a plurality of access points while in a low power mode;

receiving a Paging Indication element or a TIM Response element while remaining in low power mode, wherein the Paging Indication element or TIM Response element indicates whether buffered data is present; and

exiting low power mode if buffered data is present and retrieving the buffered data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting a paging request while in a low power mode is performed according to a pre-determined frequency, wherein the frequency is derived based on a required level of responsiveness to incoming unicast traffic.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting another paging request if a Paging Indication element is not received within a pre-determined period of time.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the paging request is a TIM request sent to a particular access point.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the paging request is a PS-Poll sent to a particular access point, and wherein the Paging Indication element is a short No-ACK Data frame with at least one of a More Data (MD) bit and an End of Service Period (EOSP) bit set.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting a Paging Request comprises sending the Paging Request to access points within a pre-defined Paging Group in order to request a Paging Indication element.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting a Paging Request is performed independent of time intervals designated for receiving beacons.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a Paging Indication element comprises receiving a TIM and a timestamp, wherein the TIM indicates the presence of buffered data for the station, and wherein the timestamp is used by the station to synchronize a TSF (timing synchronization function) timer.

9. A method for retrieving buffered data in a wireless communication system comprising:

receiving a paging request from a station; and

in response to the paging request, sending a TIM response to the station if buffered data is present, wherein sending the TIM response is performed according to a no ACK policy so that the station remains in low power mode.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the paging request is a TIM request sent to a particular access point.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein sending a response frame to the station comprises sending the response after a SIFS (short interface frame) time interval to indicate whether buffered data is present.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein sending the response after a SIFS time interval is performed if the paging request was received through a unicast address.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein sending a TIM response to the station comprises sending the response after a pre-determined backoff period if the paging request was received through a broadcast address.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein sending a TIM response comprises sending a TIM and a timestamp, wherein the TIM indicates the presence of buffered data for the station, and wherein the timestamp is used by the station to synchronize a TSF (timing synchronization function) timer.

15. A system for retrieving buffered data in a wireless communication system comprising:

a station configured to transmit a paging request while in low power mode to determine whether buffered data is available for the station; and

one or more access points configured to receive the paging request from the station and send one of a TIM element and a Paging Indication element to the station if buffered data is available, wherein the one or more access points send either the TIM element or the Paging Indication element based on information being requested from the access points by the station.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the station requests a TIM element if the station is currently associated with an access point, and wherein the station requests a Paging Indication element if the station is not currently associated with an access point.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the station sends the paging request to only one access point if the station is requesting a TIM element, and wherein the station sends the paging request to multiple access points if the station is requesting a Paging Indication element.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the access point is further configured to send the Paging Indication element a SIFS (short interface frame) time interval after receiving the paging request if the paging request was received through a unicast address, and wherein the access point is further configured to send the Paging Indication element after a pre-determined backoff period if the paging request was received through a broadcast address.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the station is configured to transmit the TIM requests independent of time intervals designated for receiving beacons from the AP.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the access point (AP) is configured transmit the TIM response according to a no ACK policy to allow the station to stay in the low power mode while receiving the TIM response.