Method and system for reducing battery consumption in wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) employed in a wireless local area network/wireless wide area network (WLAN/WWAN)

• US 7,474,887 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2005
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zeira, Eldad, Chandra, Arty
• Primary Examiner(s): Harper; Vincent P
• Assistant Examiner(s): SANTIAGO CORDERO, MARIVELISSE
• Application Number:
  US11/054,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20050190710A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,426 Days
• Field of Search: 455/571, 455/343.2, 455/343.3, 370/311, 370/412, 370/417, 370/7.28, 370/7.3, 370/7.36, 370/7.38, 370/7.34, 340/7.28, 340/7.3, 340/7.36, 340/7.38, 340/7.34
• US Class Current: 455/343.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Method and system for reducing battery consumption during an active session wherein an access point (AP) transmits a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) a packet information regarding packets in a queue waiting for transmission to the WTRU and when the packets are to be decoded, whereby enabling the WTRU to enter or remain in an OFF mode in accordance with the packet information. The AP does not send the packets to the WTRU until the AP informs the WTRU about the packet.

Claims

1. A method for conserving power of a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising:

receiving a queue identifying packets that are intended for the WTRU;

wherein the queue includes information regarding a location of packets in the queue waiting for transmission to the WTRU in a scheduled transmission;

entering into an OFF mode when the information included in the queue indicates a delay time above a predetermined threshold, wherein the delay time is based on the location of packets in the queue waiting for transmission;

entering an AWAKE mode upon expiration of the delay time; and

receiving the packets at the WTRU.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting an indication that the WTRU will enter the OFF mode or AWAKE mode.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the indication is transmitted during an initial association.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the indication is transmitted after an initial association.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the indication is transmitted when a level of battery life falls below a predetermined threshold.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the queue is received in a beacon frame.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the queue is received according to predetermined schedule.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the queue is received periodically.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the queue is included in a header attached to a packet received by the WTRU.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the WTRU sets a timer based on the queue and enters an AWAKE mode when the timer expires.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the WTRU stays in the AWAKE mode to receive all the packets.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the WTRU enters the OFF mode after receiving the packets identified for receipt by the WTRU.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the WTRU withholds sending of packets during a time period identified for receiving packets.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the queue further includes at least one of a number of waiting packets destined for a WTRU, a WTRU identity, a traffic type, and an exact time at which a packet is to be sent to the WTRU.

15. A power efficient wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a queue identifying packets that are intended for the WTRU;

wherein the queue includes information regarding a location of packets in the queue waiting for transmission to the WTRU in a scheduled transmission; and

a processor configured to place a component of the WTRU into an OFF mode when the information included in the queue indicates a delay time above a predetermined threshold, wherein the delay time is based on the location of packets in the queue waiting for transmission, and to place a component of the WTRU in an AWAKE mode upon expiration of the delay time;

wherein the receiver is further configured to receive the packets when in an AWAKE mode.

16. The WTRU of claim 15, further comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit an indication that the WTRU will enter the OFF mode or AWAKE mode.

17. The WTRU of claim 16, wherein the indication is transmitted during an initial association.

18. The WTRU of claim 16, wherein the indication is transmitted after an initial association.

19. The WTRU of claim 18, wherein the indication is transmitted when a level of battery life falls below a predetermined threshold.

20. The WTRU of claim 15, wherein the queue is received in a beacon frame.

21. The WTRU of claim 15, wherein the queue is received according to predetermined schedule.

22. The WTRU of claim 21, wherein the queue is received periodically.

23. The WTRU of claim 15, wherein the queue is included in a header attached to a packet received by the WTRU.

24. The WTRU of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to place a component of the WTRU in an OFF mode after receiving the packets identified for receipt by the WTRU.

25. The WTRU of claim 15, further comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting packets, wherein the transmitter is configured to withold transmitting of packets during a time period identified for receiving packets.

26. The WTRU of claim 15, wherein the queue further includes at least one of a number of waiting packets destined for a WTRU, a WTRU identity, a traffic type, and an exact time at which a packet is to be sent to the WTRU.