UNSCHEDULED PEER POWER SAVE MODE

• US 20090196211A1
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jolly Seven, Series 70 of Allied Security Trust I (Allied Security Trust)
• Original Assignee: Maarten Menzo Wentink
• Inventors: Wentink, Maarten Menzo
• Granted Patent: US 8,824,378 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/311
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0289 Congestion control load shedding arrangements in network planning H04W16/08; performing reselection for handling the traffic H04W36/22; wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0206 in access points, e.g. base stations access point devices per se H04W88/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0219 where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0225 using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Embodiments of unscheduled peer power save systems, devices and methods are disclosed. For example, a method of saving power for nodes configured to communicate via a direct link is provided. In one embodiment, among others, the method comprises forming, at an access point node (AP node), a indication frame for a client node, when no service period has occurred for the client node for a period of time at least equal to an indication window; sending the formed indication frame from the AP node to the client node through an access point; receiving, at the client node, the peer traffic indication from the access point; and determining, at the client node, that the AP node has traffic to send to the client node based on the indication frame.

Claims

1. A method of saving power for nodes configured to communicate via a direct link, comprising:

forming, at an access point node (AP node), an indication frame for a client node, when no service period has occurred for the client node for a period of time at least equal to an indication window;

sending the formed indication frame from the AP node to the client node through an access point;

receiving, at the client node, the indication frame from the access point; and

determining, at the client node, that the AP node has traffic to send to the client node based on the indication frame.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether an access category (AC) is backlogged with traffic for the client node;

determining whether a service period has occurred for the AC for the client node for a period of time at least equal to an indication window; and

transmitting an indication frame from the AP node to the client node through the access point upon a determination that the AC is backlogged with traffic for the client node and a determination that no service period has occurred for the AC for the client node for a period of time at least equal to the indication window.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a data frame at the AP node destined for the client node.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising starting a service period by sending a first trigger frame from the client node to the AP node over the direct link.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising starting a second service period by sending a second trigger frame from the client node to the AP node over the direct link after the service period has ended.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the starting of the second service period is before an indication window has expired.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a power save poll (PS-Poll) frame from the client node to the AP node over the direct link.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising sending the PS-Poll frame before an indication window has expired.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the direct link is configured according to a tunneled direct link setup (TDLS).

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the AP node and the client node are associated with the access point.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the AP node stays awake at least until a trigger frame is received from the client node.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the AP node enters a doze state after the end of a service period.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the AP node enters a wake mode when transmitting the indication frame.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the AP node stays awake at least until a PS-Poll frame is received from the client node.

15. A device configured to communicate with a client node over a direct link, the device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory component that stores logic executable by the processor, the logic configured to;

determine whether an access category (AC) is backlogged with traffic for the client node;

determine whether a service period has occurred for the AC for the client node for a period of time equal to or greater than an indication window;

form an indication frame responsive to a determination that the AC for the client node is backlogged and a determination that no service period has occurred for the AC for the client node for a period of time equal to or greater than the indication window; and

transmit the formed indication frame to the client node.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the logic is further configured to transmit a buffered frame to the client node upon receipt of a trigger frame from the client node.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the AC is backlogged with traffic including one or more buffered frames destined for the client node, wherein the buffered frame is one of the one or more buffered frames.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the logic is further configured to cause the device to enter a doze state for a sleep interval after the end of the service period.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the logic is further configured to transmit the formed indication frame to the client node via the access point.

20. A method of saving power for nodes configured to communicate via a direct link, comprising:

determining whether an access category (AC) is backlogged with traffic for the client node;

determining whether a service period has occurred for the AC for the client node for a period of time equal to or greater than an indication window;

forming an indication frame responsive to a determination that the AC for the client node is backlogged with traffic for the client node and a determination that no service period has occurred for the AC for the client node for a period of time equal to or greater than the indication window; and

transmitting the formed indication frame to the client node.