Reduced power consumption in a wireless network device
First Claim
1. A method for reducing power consumption in a device, said device comprising circuitry for transmitting and receiving packets, and a processing unit, said method comprising:
- sending a data request packet from said device to a second device;
receiving an acknowledgement packet from said second device in response to said data request packet, said acknowledgement packet having an indication regarding whether additional data will be transmitted by said second device;
parsing said acknowledgement packet, using said processing unit, as said acknowledgement packet is received;
disabling said circuitry upon receipt of said indication before receipt of entire acknowledgement packet, if said indication denotes that additional data will not be transmitted by said second device; and
disabling said circuitry for a predetermined time period after receipt of said acknowledgement packet, if said indication denotes that additional data will be transmitted by said second device, wherein said acknowledgement packet further comprises an indication of a minimum time before said second device transmits said additional data, and said predetermined time period is determined based on said indication of the minimum time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various techniques for reducing power in a wireless network device are disclosed. In some embodiments, software routines within the device are modified to minimize the time during which the analog circuitry in a radio is powered. In some embodiments, the techniques make use of knowledge of implied delays associated with a particular network protocol. For example, in a CSMA network, there is a defined minimum period before the device can attempt to gain access to the media. The radio may be powered off during this defined period. In other embodiments, modifications to a protocol are disclosed which allow additional power savings.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for reducing power consumption in a device, said device comprising circuitry for transmitting and receiving packets, and a processing unit, said method comprising:
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sending a data request packet from said device to a second device; receiving an acknowledgement packet from said second device in response to said data request packet, said acknowledgement packet having an indication regarding whether additional data will be transmitted by said second device; parsing said acknowledgement packet, using said processing unit, as said acknowledgement packet is received; disabling said circuitry upon receipt of said indication before receipt of entire acknowledgement packet, if said indication denotes that additional data will not be transmitted by said second device; and disabling said circuitry for a predetermined time period after receipt of said acknowledgement packet, if said indication denotes that additional data will be transmitted by said second device, wherein said acknowledgement packet further comprises an indication of a minimum time before said second device transmits said additional data, and said predetermined time period is determined based on said indication of the minimum time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for reducing power consumption in a device, said device comprising circuitry for transmitting and receiving packets, and a processing unit, said method comprising:
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receiving a first packet from a second device; parsing said first packet, using said processing unit; determining, from data in said first packet, that a second packet will be transmitted by said second device; and disabling said circuitry for a period of time, said period of time being less than a minimum time before which said second device will transmit said second packet, wherein said first packet comprises an indication of said minimum time. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification