DIRECT LINK SET-UP POWER SAVE DELIVERY

• US 20090124301A1
• Filed: 11/06/2008
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Raissinia, Alireza
• Granted Patent: US 8,326,372 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/574
• 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

Systems and methodologies are described that enable power save mechanisms to be utilized with active direct transfers. Mobile stations in a wireless communication network can establish direct links between each other to obviate a need to transfer data via an access point. While direct links are active, the mobile stations coordinate or otherwise notify each other about power management modes to effectuate power save delivery of data via direct links. In accordance with a scheduled mechanism, mobile stations coupled via a direct link enter an active mode at a previously negotiated scheduled time after which time data transfer can occur. According to an unscheduled mechanism, one mobile station can remain awake while other enters a power save mode. The sleeping station can awaken and transmit a trigger frame to notify its peer that it is available for data transfers.

Claims

1. A method that facilitates power save direct data transfers in a wireless communication system, comprising:

transitioning to an active mode from a power save mode at a scheduled time relative to a reference point;

performing at least one of a transmission of one or more data frames to a direct link peer or a reception of one or more data frames from a direct link peer;

receiving an end of service period indication; and

reentering the power save mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference point is a target beacon transmission time.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising negotiating the scheduled time with the direct link peer via a traffic specification negotiation.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein negotiating the scheduled time includes establishing an offset parameter and a service interval parameter.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a more data indication with each data frame transmitted, the more data indication specifies at least one of an end of data or an existence of additional data.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting an end of service period indication upon completion of a data transmission.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein reentering the power save mode comprises entering the power save mode upon both transmission of a first end of service indication to the direct link peer and reception of a second end of service indication from the direct link peer.

8. An apparatus that enables power save modes during active direct transfers, comprising:

a direct link set-up module that establishes a direct link with at least one mobile station;

a power management module that manages a power management mode of the apparatus, the power management module transitions the apparatus from a power save mode to an active mode at a scheduled time; and

a scheduled power save delivery module that enables, at the scheduled time, at least one of;

a transmission of one or more data frames to the at least one mobile station via the direct link;

or

a reception of one or more data frames from the at least one mobile station via the direct link.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a traffic specification negotiator that negotiates and generates a traffic specification associated with the direct link.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the traffic specification specifies the scheduled time through at least an offset parameter and a service interval parameter.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the scheduled power save delivery mode further facilitates transmission of a more data indicator with each data frame transmitted, the more data indicator specifies at least one of an end of data or an existence of additional data.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the scheduled power save delivery mode further facilitates transmission and reception of end of service period indications, the power management module returns the apparatus to the power save mode upon successful transmission and reception of the end of service period indications.

13. A wireless communications apparatus that facilitates scheduling direct transfers to enable power save, comprising:

means for transitioning to an active mode from a power save mode at a scheduled time relative to a reference point;

means for performing at least one of a transmission of one or more data frames to a direct link peer or a reception of one or more data frames from a direct link peer; and

means for reentering the power save mode.

14. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to switch to an active mode from a power save mode at a scheduled time relative to a reference point;

code for causing the at least one computer to transmit one or more data frames to a direct link peer;

code for causing the at least one computer to receive one or more data frames from a direct link peer;

code for causing the at least one computer to receive an end of service period indication; and

code for causing the at least one computer to reenter the power save mode upon receipt of the end of service period indication.

15. In a wireless communication system, an apparatus comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

switch to an active mode from a power save mode at a scheduled time relative to a reference point;

transmit one or more data frames to a direct link peer;

receive one or more data frames from a direct link peer;

receive an end of service period indication; and

reenter the power save mode upon receipt of the end of service period indication.

16. A method that facilitates maintaining active direct transfers during power save, comprising:

transitioning to an active mode from a power save mode;

sending a trigger frame to at least one direct link peer; and

receiving one or more data frames from the at least one direct link peer.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting one or more data frames to the at least one direct link peer.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the received one or more data frames are delivery-enabled data frames.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving one or more data frames comprises receiving frames until at least one of a maximum service period length is reached or an end of data is reached.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving an end of service period indication from the direct link peer.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising transitioning from the active mode to the power save mode upon reception of the end of service period indication.

22. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving a more data indicator with each received data frame, the more data indicator notifies if additional data is waiting to be transmitted.

23. An apparatus that enables power save modes during active direct transfers, comprising:

a direct link set-up module that establishes a direct link with at least one mobile station;

a power management module that manages a power management mode of the apparatus, the power management module transitions the apparatus from a power save mode to an active mode;

an unscheduled power save delivery module that facilitates sending a trigger frame to the at least one mobile station via the direct link upon transition to the active mode;

the unscheduled power save delivery module enables at least one of;

a transmission of one or more data frames to the at least one mobile station via the direct link;

or

a reception of one or more data frames from the at least one mobile station via the direct link.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a traffic specification negotiator that negotiates and generates a traffic specification associated with the direct link.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the unscheduled power save delivery module further facilitates at least one of transmission or reception of a more data indicator with each data frame transmitted, the more data indicator specifies at least one of an end of data or an existence of additional data.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the unscheduled power save delivery module further facilitates reception of end of service period indication, the power management module returns the apparatus to the power save mode upon receipt of the end of service period indication.

27. A wireless communications apparatus that facilitates maintaining active direct transfers during power save, comprising:

means for transitioning to an active mode from a power save mode;

means for sending a trigger frame to at least one direct link peer;

means for receiving one or more data frames from the at least one direct link peer;

means for receiving an end of service period indication from the direct link peer; and

means for transitioning from the active mode to the power save mode upon reception of the end of service period indication.

28. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to switch a power management mode to an active mode from a power save mode;

code for causing the at least one computer to transmit a trigger frame to at least one direct link peer;

code for causing the at least one computer to obtain one or more data frames from the at least one direct link peer;

code for causing the at least one computer to receive an end of service period indication from the direct link peer; and

code for causing the at least one computer to return the power management mode to a power save mode reception of the end of service period indication.

29. In a wireless communication system, an apparatus comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

switch a power management mode to an active mode from a power save mode;

transmit a trigger frame to at least one direct link peer;

obtain one or more data frames from the at least one direct link peer;

receive an end of service period indication from the direct link peer; and

return the power management mode to a power save mode reception of the end of service period indication.

30. A method that facilitates power save operations during active direct transfers during power save, comprising:

receiving a trigger frame from a direct link peer transitioning from a power save mode;

transmitting one or more data frames to the direct link peer; and

conveying an end or service period indicator to the direct link peer upon at least one of an expiration of a maximum service period or a complete transmission of buffered data frames.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the one or more data frames are delivery enabled.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising receiving at data frames from the direct link peer after acknowledgment of the trigger frame.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising conveying a more data indication in associated with each transmitted data frame, the more data indication specifies if additional data is waiting to be transmitted.

34. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to receiving a trigger frame from a direct link peer transitioning from a power save mode, transmitting one or more data frames to the direct link peer, and conveying an end or service period indicator to the direct link peer upon at least one of an expiration of a maximum service period or a complete transmission of buffered data frames; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

35. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 34, wherein the one or more data frames are delivery enabled.

36. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 34, wherein the memory further comprises instructions related to receiving at least one data frame from the direct link peer after acknowledgment of the trigger frame.

37. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 34, wherein the memory further retains instructions related to conveying a more data indication in associated with each transmitted data frame, the more data indication specifies if additional data is waiting to be transmitted.

38. A wireless communications apparatus that facilitates maintaining active direct transfers during power save, comprising:

means for receiving a trigger frame from a direct link peer transitioning from a power save mode;

means for transmitting one or more data frames to the direct link peer; and

means for conveying an end or service period indicator to the direct link peer upon at least one of an expiration of a maximum service period or a complete transmission of buffered data frames.

39. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to receive a trigger frame from a direct link peer transitioning from a power save mode;

code for causing the at least one computer to transmit one or more data frames to the direct link peer, the one or more data frames are transmitted in association with a more data indication that specifies if additional data is waiting to be transmitted;

code for causing the at least one computer to receive at least one data frame from the direct link peer after acknowledgment of the trigger frame; and

code for causing the at least one computer to convey an end or service period indicator to the direct link peer upon at least one of an expiration of a maximum service period or a complete transmission of buffered data frames.

40. In a wireless communication system, an apparatus comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

receive a trigger frame from a direct link peer transitioning from a power save mode;

transmit one or more data frames to the direct link peer; and

convey an end or service period indicator to the direct link peer upon at least one of an expiration of a maximum service period or a complete transmission of buffered data frames.