Method and system for power saving in wireless communications

• US 8,503,968 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2008
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Inventors: Singh, Harkirat, Shao, Huai-Rong, Qin, Xiangping, Ngo, Chiu
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Blane J
• Application Number:
  US12/014,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20080176521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,030 Days
• Field of Search: 455/435.1, 455/522, 455/574, 455/434, 370/315, 370/338, 370/343, 370/349, 370/390, 370/400, 370/437, 370/443, 370/445, 370/447
• US Class Current: 455/343.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/12 Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
• 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 52/287 when the channel is in stand-by
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/288 taking into account the usage mode, e.g. hands-free, data transmission, telephone
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method and a system for wireless communication is provided which involves maintaining a data communication module in a power saving mode, detecting channel reservation for communication on a wireless data channel during one or more reserved time periods, and upon successful data channel reservation, transitioning the data communication module from the power saving mode to an active mode for data communication on the reserved data channel. Preferably, the data communication module is transitioned back to the power saving mode upon completion of data communication on the data channel.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication, comprising:

maintaining a data communication module in a power saving mode; and

detecting channel reservation for communication on a wireless data channel during one or more reserved time periods based on control information received over a wireless control channel through a convergence layer, for transitioning the data communication module from the power saving mode to an active mode.

2. The method of claim 1 further including transitioning the data communication module back to the power saving mode upon completion of data communication on the data channel.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

receiving control information over the wireless control channel further includes maintaining a control communication module in an active mode for communication on the control channel; and

the data channel comprises an in-band channel and the control channel comprises an out-of-and channel, such that the in-band channel and the out-of band channel are at different wireless frequencies.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

redirecting and converting messages from the control channel to the data channel, and from the data channel to the control channel via the convergence layer.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising upon successful data channel reservation, transitioning the data communication module from the power saving mode to the active mode for data communication on the reserved data channel during the one or more reserved time periods.

6. The method of claim 3 further including performing directional data communication on the in-band data channel, wherein the in-band channel comprises a 60 GHz wireless channel.

7. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a data communication module configured for communication on a data channel;

a power saving module configured for maintaining the data communication module in a power saving mode until detection of channel reservation for communication on a wireless data channel during one or more reserved time periods, and then transitioning the data communication module from the power saving mode to an active mode for data communication on the reserved data channel during the one or more reserved time periods; and

a convergence module for providing received control information, indicative of a channel reservation for communication on a wireless data channel, to the power saving module for transitioning the data communication module from the power saving mode to the active mode.

8. The wireless communication system of claim 7, wherein:

the control information to the data communication module is provided through a convergence layer, for transitioning the data communication module from the active state to the power saving state for communication on the data channel; and

the power saving module is further configured for transitioning the data communication module back to the power saving mode upon completion of data communication on the data channel.

9. The wireless communication system of claim 7 further comprising a control communication module configured for receiving control information communications over a wireless control channel, and detecting data channel reservation based on the received control information.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 9, wherein the control communication module is further configured to remain in an active mode for communication on the control channel, and the data channel comprises an in-band channel and the control channel comprises an out-of-band channel, such that the in-band channel and the out-of-band channel are at different wireless frequencies.

11. The wireless communication system of claim 10 wherein the data communication module is configured for performing directional data communication on the in-band data channel, wherein the in-band channel comprises a 60 GHz wireless channel.

12. The wireless communication system of claim 7, wherein the convergence module redirects and converts messages from the control channel to the data channel, and from the data channel to the control channel via the convergence layer.

13. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a data communication module that communicates on a data channel;

a power saving module that maintains the data communication module in a power saving mode until detection of channel reservation for communication on a wireless data channel during one or more reserved time periods; and

a convergence module that provides received control information, indicative of a channel reservation for communication on a wireless data channel, to the power saving module for transitioning the data communication module from the power saving mode to an active mode.

14. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a data communication module that communicates on a data channel;

a power saving module that maintains the data communication module in a power saving mode based on channel reservation information; and

a convergence module that provides received control information, indicative of a channel reservation for communication on a wireless data channel, to the power saving module for transitioning the data communication module from the power saving mode to an active mode,

wherein the convergence module redirects and converts messages between a control channel and the data channel.