Power efficient channel scheduling in a wireless network

• US 7,209,740 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2004
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bahl, Paramvir, Adya, Atul, Padhye, Jitendra D.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMMING, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US11/011,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20050096073A1
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 455/434, 455/515, 370/338
• US Class Current: 455/434
• 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 52/0241 where no transmission is received, e.g. out of range of the transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/46 in multi hop networks, e.g. wireless relay networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method and system for optimizing channel access scheduling for multiple wireless computing devices over a wireless network improves channel access efficiency with respect to a primary channel. An access point, or host computer, includes a host transceiver for receiving control information from the wireless computing devices over a low power channel. Upon receiving the control information, the access point applies a scheduling algorithm to schedule channel access for the wireless computing devices to transmit data over the primary communication channel. The wireless computing devices include a low power radio for receiving scheduling information via the low power channel during idle periods. When the scheduling information is received, the wireless computing device activates its primary channel network interface components to communicate data through the primary channel. When the computing device is idle, the device is configured to power down all of its components with the exception of the circuitry required to power the low power channel. As such, the low power channel is maintained in an active state for receiving scheduling information, such as an access schedule, during both idle and non-idle periods.

Claims

1. A method for scheduling data transmission in a wireless network, wherein the wireless network comprises at least one wireless computing device, the wireless computing device supporting a primary communication channel and a secondary communication channel, the secondary communication channel requiring less power to utilize than the primary communication channel, the method comprising:

establishing a connection between a host transceiver operating at a host computer and a low power transceiver operating at the wireless computing device, the connection being established over the secondary channel;

receiving a first data packet at the host computer from the low power transceiver over the secondary channel, the first data packet comprising transmission control information related to the primary channel;

in response to receipt of the control information, applying a scheduling algorithm at the host computer to determine a channel access schedule for the wireless computing device; and

sending the channel access schedule to the low power transceiver over the secondary channel, wherein the channel access schedule notifies the wireless computing device as to when the wireless computing device has access to the primary communication channel in order to transmit data, wherein the control information comprises data packet transmission deadline information.