Direct link set-up power save delivery

• US 8,326,372 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2008
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Raissinia, Alireza
• Primary Examiner(s): POOS, JOHN W
• Application Number:
  US12/266,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20090124301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,489 Days
• Field of Search: 455/572, 455/574, 370/311
• US Class Current: 455/572
• 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 after a target beacon transmission time;

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;

transmitting an end of service period indication upon completion of a data transmission;

receiving an end of service period indication; and

reentering the power save mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a first of the transmission of one or more data frames is performed after an offset time relative to the 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, wherein the offset parameter indicates a time between the target beacon transmission time and a first data transfer window and wherein the service interval parameter indicates a time between starting points of two consecutive data transfer windows.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a more data indication with each data frame transmitted between reception times of two consecutive beacons, the more data indication indicating at least one of an end of data or an existence of additional data.

6. The method of claim 1, 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.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an acknowledgment in response to the transmission of one or more data frames to a direct link peer.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending an acknowledgment in response to receiving the end of service period indication.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a beacon after receiving the end of service period indication.

10. 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 after a target beacon transmission time;

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;

means for transmitting an end of service period indication upon completion of a data transmission;

means for receiving an end of service period indication; and

means for reentering the power save mode.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for transmitting a more data indication with each data frame transmitted between reception of two consecutive beacons, the more data indication indicating at least one of an end of data or an existence of additional data.

12. 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;

return the power management mode to the power save mode in response to receiving the end of service period indication; and

receive a beacon after receiving the end of service period indication.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to receive an acknowledgment indication in response to transmitting the trigger frame.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising receiving a more data indication with each of the one or more data frames from the at least one direct link peer, the more data indication indicating at least one of an end of data or an existence of additional data.

15. A method that facilitates power save operations, comprising:

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

transmitting, by the station, an acknowledgment indication in response to receiving the trigger frame;

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

conveying, by the station, an end of 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.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more data frames are delivery enabled.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving at the station data frames from the direct link peer after transmitting the acknowledgment indication.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising conveying a more data indication associated with each transmitted data frame, the more data indication indicating whether additional data is waiting to be transmitted.

19. 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 an acknowledgment indication in response to receiving the trigger frame;

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

conveying an end of 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.

20. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more data frames are delivery enabled.

21. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 19, wherein the memory further comprises instructions related to receiving at least one data frame from the direct link peer after transmitting the acknowledgment indication.

22. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 19, wherein the memory further retains instructions related to conveying a more data indication associated with each transmitted data frame, the more data indication indicating whether additional data is waiting to be transmitted.

23. 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 an acknowledgment indication in response to receiving the trigger frame;

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

means for conveying an end of 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.

24. 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 an acknowledgment indication in response to receiving the trigger frame;

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

convey an end of 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.