POWER SAVE IMPROVEMENT

Abstract

Included are embodiments for operating in a wireless environment. At least one embodiment of a method includes setting a first data frame for transmission from a first device to a second device, wherein the first device is configured to operate in a normal power mode that includes utilization of a plurality of active components, wherein setting the first data frame includes determining a time period of communicative inactivity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. While several embodiments are described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a network configuration for communicating data between communication devices via an access point.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an access point, similar to the analytic component from FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of data frames that may be sent between a communications device and an access point.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of utilizing an access point acknowledgement to set a NAV, such as in the network from FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of utilizing a Clear To Send (CTS) frame in setting a Network Allocation Vector (NAV), similar to the diagram of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a process that may be utilized for sending data to a communications device, such as a communications device from FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a process that may be utilized for setting a NAV on a trigger frame, similar diagram from FIG. 3A.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a process that may be utilized for an access point to set a NAV on an acknowledgement frame, similar to the diagram from FIG. 3B.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a process that may be utilized for setting a NAV on a CTS frame, similar to the diagram from FIG. 4.

Claims

1. A method for operating in a wireless environment, comprising: setting a first data frame for transmission from a first device to a second device, wherein the first device is configured to operate in a normal power mode that includes utilization of a plurality of active components, wherein setting the first data frame includes determining a time period of communicative inactivity; andsending the first data frame to the second device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising facilitating utilization of a power save mode on the first device during the determined time period of communicative inactivity, wherein facilitating utilization of the power save mode includes shutting down at least one of the active components.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: resuming normal power mode associated with the first device, after expiration of the determined time period of communicative inactivity; andreceiving a second data frame from the second device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data frame is a trigger frame.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein setting the first data frame includes setting a Net Allocation Vector (NAV).

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data frame is a Clear To Send (CTS) data frame.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device includes a communications device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second device includes an access point.

9. A system for operating in a wireless environment, comprising: means for setting a first data frame for transmission from a first device to a second device, wherein the first device is configured to operate in a normal power mode that includes utilization of a plurality of active components, wherein setting the first data frame includes determining a time period of communicative inactivity; andmeans for sending the first data frame to the second device.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising means for facilitating utilization of a power save mode on the first device during the determined time period of communicative inactivity, wherein facilitating utilization of the power save mode includes shutting down at least one of the active components.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising: means for resuming normal power mode associated with the first device, after expiration of the determined time period of communicative inactivity; andmeans for receiving a second data frame from the second device.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the first data frame includes a trigger frame.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein means for setting the first data frame includes means for setting a Net Allocation Vector (NAV).

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the first data frame includes a Clear To Send (CTS) data frame.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the first device includes a communications device.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the second device includes an access point.

17. A method for operating in a wireless environment, comprising: receiving a first data frame from a communications device; andsetting an acknowledgement frame indicating receipt of the first data frame, the acknowledgement frame further defining a time period of communicative inactivity.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising sending the acknowledgement frame to the communications device, wherein the acknowledgement frame is configured to facilitate utilization of a power save mode in a communications device during the time period of communicative inactivity.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first data frame includes a trigger frame.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising sending second data to the communications device after the defined time period of communicative inactivity.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the acknowledgement is configured to define a Network Allocation Vector (NAV).

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the communications device includes at least one of the following: a mobile telephone, a personal computer, a laptop computer, and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the acknowledgement frame is sent via an 802.11 protocol.