U.S. patent application number 12/538925 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-17 for device, system and method of power management in a wireless area network.
Invention is credited to Carlos Cordeiro, Michelle Xiaohong Gong.
Application Number | 20110038290 12/538925 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43586727 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110038290 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gong; Michelle Xiaohong ; et
al. |
February 17, 2011 |
DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF POWER MANAGEMENT IN A WIRELESS AREA
NETWORK
Abstract
Device, system, and method of power management. In some
demonstrative embodiments, a device may include a wireless
communication unit to transmit to a control point of a wireless
area network an information request frame identifying at least one
other wireless communication device in the wireless area network,
wherein the wireless communication unit is to receive from the
control point a response including wakeup information defining a
wakeup schedule including at least one wakeup period of the other
wireless communication device, and wherein, based on the wakeup
information, the wireless communication unit is to transmit a
wireless transmission directly to the other wireless communication
device during the wakeup period. Other embodiments are described
and claimed.
Inventors: |
Gong; Michelle Xiaohong;
(Sunnyvale, CA) ; Cordeiro; Carlos; (Portland,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Shiloh et al.
C/O INTELLEVATE , LLC, P.O BOX 52050
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
43586727 |
Appl. No.: |
12/538925 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02D 70/142 20180101;
Y02D 70/144 20180101; H04W 52/0235 20130101; Y02D 70/1224 20180101;
Y02D 70/146 20180101; Y02D 70/162 20180101; Y02D 70/164 20180101;
H04W 52/0216 20130101; Y02D 70/166 20180101; Y02D 70/168 20180101;
Y02D 30/70 20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/311 |
International
Class: |
G08C 17/00 20060101
G08C017/00 |
Claims
1. A wireless communication device including: a wireless
communication unit to transmit to a control point of a wireless
area network an information request frame identifying at least one
other wireless communication device in the wireless area network,
wherein the wireless communication unit is to receive from the
control point a response including wakeup information defining a
wakeup schedule including at least one wakeup period of the other
wireless communication device, and wherein, based on the wakeup
information, the wireless communication unit is to transmit a
wireless transmission directly to the other wireless communication
device during the wakeup period.
2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the
wireless communication unit is to establish a common wakeup
schedule with the at least one other wireless communication device
by transmitting to the other wireless communication device a
wakeup-configuration request defining the common wakeup schedule,
wherein the common wakeup schedule includes at least one common
wakeup period for direct communication between the wireless
communication unit and the other wireless communication device.
3. The wireless communication device of claim 2, wherein the
wireless communication unit is to establish at least first and
second different common wakeup schedules with at least first and
second respective other wireless communication devices.
4. The wireless communication device of claim 2, wherein the common
wakeup schedule between the wireless communication unit and the
other wireless communication device is different from a wakeup
schedule defined between the wireless communication unit and the
control point.
5. The wireless communication device of claim 2, wherein, upon
receiving a wakeup-configuration acknowledgment from the other
wireless communication device, the wireless communication unit is
to transmit to the control point information defining the common
wakeup schedule.
6. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the
wireless communication unit is to operate in an active mode to
communicate over the wireless area network during a
contention-based-period of a beacon interval, and wherein the
wireless unit is to switch from the active mode to a power-save
mode during the contention-based-period.
7. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the
wireless communication unit is to transmit to the control point a
message informing the control point that the wireless communication
unit is to switch from the active mode to the power-save mode, and
wherein the wireless communication unit is to switch to the
power-save mode upon receiving an acknowledgment from the control
point.
8. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the wakeup
period includes at least part of a beacon interval defined by the
control point.
9. A wireless communication device including: a wireless
communication unit to communicate with one or more other wireless
communication devices in a wireless area network, wherein the
wireless communication unit is to operate in an active mode to
communicate with the other wireless devices during a
contention-based-period of a beacon interval defined for the
wireless area network, and wherein the wireless unit is to switch
from the active mode to a power-save mode during the
contention-based-period.
10. The wireless communication device of claim 9, wherein the
contention-based-period includes a centric contention-based-period
managed by a control point, wherein the wireless communication unit
is to transmit to the control point a message informing the control
point that the wireless communication unit is to switch from the
active mode to the power-save mode, and wherein the wireless
communication unit is to switch to the power-save mode upon
receiving an acknowledgment from the control point.
11. The wireless communication device of claim 10, wherein the
message includes a frame having a power-mode bit set to a
predefined value.
12. The wireless communication device of claim 10, wherein the
contention-based-period includes a distributed
contention-based-period, wherein the wireless communication unit is
to transmit to the other wireless communication devices one or more
messages informing the wireless communication devices that the
wireless communication unit is to switch from the active mode to
the power-save mode, and wherein the wireless communication unit is
to switch to the power-save mode upon receiving an acknowledgment
from each of the other wireless communication devices.
13. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein at least
one of the messages includes a frame having a power-mode bit set to
a predefined value.
14. The wireless communication device of claim 10, wherein the
wireless communication unit is to transmit to a control point of
the wireless area network an information request frame identifying
at least one destination wireless communication device of the one
or more other wireless communication devices, wherein the wireless
communication unit is to receive from the control point a response
including wakeup information defining a wakeup schedule including
at least one wakeup period of the destination wireless
communication device, and wherein, based on the wakeup information,
the wireless communication unit is to transmit a wireless
transmission directly to the destination wireless communication
device during the wakeup period.
15. The wireless communication device of claim 14, wherein the
wireless communication unit is to establish a common wakeup
schedule with the destination wireless communication device by
transmitting to the destination wireless communication device a
wakeup-configuration request defining the common wakeup schedule,
wherein the common wakeup schedule includes at least one common
wakeup period for direct communication between the wireless
communication unit and the destination wireless communication
device.
16. A method including: operating a wireless communication unit in
an active mode to communicate with one or more other wireless
communication devices in a wireless area network during a
contention-based-period of a beacon interval; and switching the
wireless communication unit from the active mode to a power-save
mode during the contention-based-period.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the contention-based-period
includes a centric contention-based-period managed by a control
point, the method including: transmitting a message from the
wireless communication device to the control point, wherein the
message includes an indication to the control point that the
wireless communication unit is to switch from the active mode to
the power-save mode; and switching the wireless communication unit
to the power-save mode upon receiving an acknowledgment from the
control point.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the contention-based-period
includes a distributed contention-based-period, the method
including: transmitting one or more messages from the wireless
communication unit to the other wireless communication devices, the
messages informing the wireless communication devices that the
wireless communication unit is to switch from the active mode to
the power-save mode; and switching the wireless communication unit
to the power-save mode upon receiving an acknowledgment from each
of the other wireless communication devices.
19. The method of claim 16 including: transmitting an information
request frame from the wireless communication device to a control
point of the wireless area network, the information request frame
identifying at least one destination wireless communication device
of the one or more other wireless communication devices, receiving
from the control point a response including wakeup information
defining a wakeup schedule including at least one wakeup period of
the destination wireless communication device; and based on the
wakeup information, transmitting a wireless transmission from the
wireless communication unit directly to the destination wireless
communication device during the wakeup period.
20. The method of claim 16 including: establishing a common wakeup
schedule between the wireless communication unit and the
destination wireless communication device by transmitting a
wakeup-configuration request to the destination wireless
communication device, the wakeup-configuration request defining the
common wakeup schedule, wherein the common wakeup schedule includes
at least one common wakeup period for direct communication between
the wireless communication unit and the destination wireless
communication device.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Minimizing power consumption is an important factor in the
design of wireless communication devices and/or networks in order,
for example, to provide longer battery life.
[0002] A Power Management (PM) scheme may be implemented by a
wireless communication network to allow one or more wireless
communication devices ("stations") to conserve power, e.g., by
switching from an active mode of operation to a power-save mode of
operation, e.g., an "idle" or "sleep" mode of operation.
[0003] In some wireless communication networks, communication may
be performed during beacon intervals. A beacon interval may include
one or more Service Periods (SPs) allocated to one or more
stations. Each SP is allocated to a single station, such that only
the station to which the SP is allocated is allowed to communicate
during the SP. The beacon interval also includes one or more
Contention-Based-Period (CBP), during which the stations may be
allowed to communicate using a suitable contention-based mechanism.
The CBP may include a centric CBP managed by a controller or
coordinator, or a distributed CBP.
[0004] A station may send a notification to inform other elements
of the network of one or more beacon intervals, during which the
station will be in the power-save mode. The station may be assumed
to be either active during a beacon interval, including all CBPs of
the beacon interval, e.g., if the station has not indicated that it
will be in the power-save mode during the beacon interval; or to be
in the power-save mode for the entirety of the beacon interval,
e.g., if the station has indicated that it will be in the
power-save mode during the beacon interval.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown
in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For
example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated
relative to other elements for clarity of presentation.
Furthermore, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures
to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. The figures are
listed below.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a system
in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of
power management during a contention-based period, in accordance
with some demonstrative embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of
power management scheduling, in accordance with some demonstrative
embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustration of an
article of manufacture, in accordance with some demonstrative
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of some embodiments. However, it will be understood by persons of
ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
methods, procedures, components, units and/or circuits have not
been described in detail so as not to obscure the discussion.
[0011] Discussions herein utilizing terms such as, for example,
"processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining",
"establishing", "analyzing", "checking", or the like, may refer to
operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing
platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device,
that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical
(e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers
and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical
quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other
information storage medium that may store instructions to perform
operations and/or processes.
[0012] The terms "plurality" and "a plurality" as used herein
include, for example, "multiple" or "two or more". For example, "a
plurality of items" includes two or more items.
[0013] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various
devices and systems, for example, a Personal Computer (PC), a
desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook
computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld
computer, a handheld device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board
device, a hybrid device, a vehicular device, a non-vehicular
device, a mobile or portable device, a consumer device, a
non-mobile or non-portable device, a wireless communication
station, a wireless communication device, a wireless Access Point
(AP), a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, a
video device, an audio device, an audio-video (A/V) device, a
Set-Top-Box (STB), a Blu-ray disc (BD) player, a BD recorder, a
Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, a High Definition (HD) DVD player,
a DVD recorder, a HD DVD recorder, a Personal Video Recorder (PVR),
a broadcast HD receiver, a video source, an audio source, a video
sink, an audio sink, a stereo tuner, a broadcast radio receiver, a
flat panel display, a Personal Media Player (PMP), a digital video
camera (DVC), a digital audio player, a speaker, an audio receiver,
an audio amplifier, a gaming device, a data source, a data sink, a
Digital Still camera (DSC), a wired or wireless network, a wireless
area network, a Wireless Video Area Network (WVAN), a Local Area
Network (LAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN), a Personal Area Network
(PAN), a Wireless PAN (WPAN), devices and/or networks operating in
accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 (IEEE 802.11-1999: Wireless
LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)
Specifications), 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11h, 802.11j,
802.11n, 802.16, 802.16d, 802.16e, 802.16f, standards and/or future
versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks
operating in accordance with existing Wireless-Gigabit-Alliance
(WGA) and/or WirelessHD.TM. specifications and/or future versions
and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or devices which are part of
the above networks, one way and/or two-way radio communication
systems, cellular radio-telephone communication systems, a cellular
telephone, a wireless telephone, a Personal Communication Systems
(PCS) device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless
communication device, a mobile or portable Global Positioning
System (GPS) device, a device which incorporates a GPS receiver or
transceiver or chip, a device which incorporates an RFID element or
chip, a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transceiver or
device, a Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) transceiver or
device, a Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) transceiver or
device, a device having one or more internal antennas and/or
external antennas, Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) devices or
systems, multi-standard radio devices or systems, a wired or
wireless handheld device (e.g., BlackBerry, Palm Treo), a Wireless
Application Protocol (WAP) device, or the like.
[0014] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more
types of wireless communication signals and/or systems, for
example, Radio Frequency (RF), Infra Red (IR), Frequency-Division
Multiplexing (FDM), Orthogonal FDM (OFDM), Time-Division
Multiplexing (TDM), Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Extended
TDMA (E-TDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), extended GPRS,
Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA
2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi-carrier CDMA, Multi-Carrier
Modulation (MDM), Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT), Bluetooth.RTM., Global
Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee.TM., Ultra-Wideband
(UWB), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), 2G, 2.5G, 3G,
3.5G, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), or the like.
Other embodiments may be used in various other devices, systems
and/or networks.
[0015] The term "wireless device" as used herein includes, for
example, a device capable of wireless communication, a
communication device capable of wireless communication, a
communication station capable of wireless communication, a portable
or non-portable device capable of wireless communication, or the
like. In some demonstrative embodiments, a wireless device may be
or may include a peripheral that is integrated with a computer, or
a peripheral that is attached to a computer. In some demonstrative
embodiments, the term "wireless device" may optionally include a
wireless service.
[0016] Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction
with suitable limited-range or short-range wireless communication
networks, for example, a wireless area network, a "piconet", a
WPAN, a WVAN and the like.
[0017] Some demonstrative embodiments are described herein with
reference to a frequency band of 60 GHz. However, other embodiments
may be implemented utilizing any other suitable wireless
communication frequency bands, for example, an Extremely High
Frequency (EHF) band (the millimeter wave (mmwave) frequency band),
e.g., a frequency band within the frequency band of between 30 Ghz
and 300 GHZ, a WLAN frequency band, a WPAN frequency band, a
frequency band according to the IEEE 802.11 and/or WGA
specifications, and the like.
[0018] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which schematically
illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 in accordance with some
demonstrative embodiments.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments,
system 100 may include a wireless area network including one or
more wireless communication devices capable of communicating
content, data, information and/or signals over one or more suitable
wireless communication links, for example, a radio channel, an IR
channel, a RF channel, a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) channel, and the
like. One or more elements of system 100 may optionally be capable
of communicating over any suitable wired communication links.
[0020] In some demonstrative embodiments, system 100 may include
one or more stations, e.g., stations 102, 105 and 106; and a
control point 124 to control and/or coordinate communications
between the stations.
[0021] In some demonstrative embodiments, one of the stations of
system 100 may perform the functionality of control point 124;
and/or station 102, station 105 and/or station 106 may perform the
functionality of control point 124.
[0022] In some demonstrative embodiments, station 102, station 105,
station 106 and control point 124 may perform the functionality of
a Personal-Independent-Basic-Service-Set (PBSS), a WPAN, a WVAN, a
piconet, and/or any other suitable network.
[0023] In some demonstrative embodiments, control point 124 may
include a suitable PBSS Control Point (PCP) or a coordinator, e.g.,
as defined by the IEEE 802.11 and/or WGA specifications.
[0024] In some demonstrative embodiments, station 102, station 105,
station 106 and/or control point 124 may include, for example, a
PC, a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a
notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld
computer, a handheld device, a PDA device, a handheld PDA device,
an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device (e.g.,
combining cellular phone functionalities with PDA device
functionalities), a consumer device, a vehicular device, a
non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a non-mobile or
non-portable device, a cellular telephone, a PCS device, a PDA
device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile
or portable GPS device, a DVB device, a relatively small computing
device, a non-desktop computer, a "Carry Small Live Large" (CSLL)
device, an Ultra Mobile Device (UMD), an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), a
Mobile Internet Device (MID), an "Origami" device or computing
device, a device that supports Dynamically Composable Computing
(DCC), a context-aware device, a video device, an audio device, an
A/V device, a STB, a BD player, a BD recorder, a DVD player, a HD
DVD player, a DVD recorder, a HD DVD recorder, a PVR, a broadcast
HD receiver, a video source, an audio source, a video sink, an
audio sink, a stereo tuner, a broadcast radio receiver, a flat
panel display, a PMP, a DVC, a digital audio player, a speaker, an
audio receiver, a gaming device, an audio amplifier, a data source,
a data sink, a DSC, a media player, a Smartphone, a television, a
music player, or the like.
[0025] In some demonstrative embodiments, station 106 may include a
wireless communication unit 108 to communicate with station 102,
station 105 and/or control point 124, e.g., as described below.
Station 106 may also include, for example, one or more of a
processor 120, an input unit 112, an output unit 114, a memory unit
118, and a storage unit 116. Station 106 may optionally include
other suitable hardware components and/or software components. In
some demonstrative embodiments, some or all of the components of
station 106 may be enclosed in a common housing or packaging, and
may be interconnected or operably associated using one or more
wired or wireless links. In other embodiments, components of
station 106 may be distributed among multiple or separate
devices.
[0026] Processor 120 includes, for example, a Central Processing
Unit (CPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), one or more processor
cores, a single-core processor, a dual-core processor, a
multiple-core processor, a microprocessor, a host processor, a
controller, a plurality of processors or controllers, a chip, a
microchip, one or more circuits, circuitry, a logic unit, an
Integrated Circuit (IC), an Application-Specific IC (ASIC), or any
other suitable multi-purpose or specific processor or controller.
Processor 120 executes instructions, for example, of an Operating
System (OS) of station 106, and/or of one or more suitable
applications.
[0027] Input unit 112 includes, for example, a keyboard, a keypad,
a mouse, a touch-pad, a track-ball, a stylus, a microphone, or
other suitable pointing device or input device. Output unit 114
includes, for example, a monitor, a screen, a flat panel display, a
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display unit, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
display unit, a plasma display unit, one or more audio speakers or
earphones, or other suitable output devices.
[0028] Memory unit 118 includes, for example, a Random Access
Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a
Synchronous DRAM (SD-RAM), a flash memory, a volatile memory, a
non-volatile memory, a cache memory, a buffer, a short term memory
unit, a long term memory unit, or other suitable memory units.
Storage unit 116 includes, for example, a hard disk drive, a floppy
disk drive, a Compact Disk (CD) drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive,
or other suitable removable or non-removable storage units. Memory
unit 118 and/or storage unit 116, for example, may store data
processed by station 106.
[0029] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication
unit 108 includes, for example, one or more wireless transmitters,
receivers and/or transceivers able to send and/or receive wireless
communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission
streams, packets, messages, data items, and/or data. For example,
wireless communication unit 108 may include or may be implemented
as part of a wireless Network Interface Card (NIC), and the
like.
[0030] Wireless communication unit 108 may include, or may be
associated with, one or more antennas or one or more sets of
antennas 110. Antennas 110 may include, for example, an internal
and/or external RF antenna, a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna,
an omni-directional antenna, an end fed antenna, a circularly
polarized antenna, a micro-strip antenna, a diversity antenna, or
other type of antenna suitable for transmitting and/or receiving
wireless communication signals, blocks, frames, transmission
streams, packets, messages and/or data.
[0031] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication
unit 108 may be capable of communicating over the mmwave frequency
band, for example, the 60 GHz frequency band. Wireless
communication unit 108 may be capable of communicating over any
other suitable wireless communication frequency band, in addition
to or instead of the 60 GHz frequency band. In one example,
wireless communication unit 108 may include a multi-band wireless
communication unit capable of communicating over two or more
wireless communication frequency bands, e.g., the 60 GHz frequency
band and the 2.4/5 GHz frequency band.
[0032] In some demonstrative embodiments, communication between
station 102, station 105, station 106 and/or control point 124 may
be performed during Beacon Intervals (BIs), e.g., in accordance
with the WGA specification and/or any other suitable specification.
A BI may include one or more Service Periods (SPs) allocated to one
or more stations. Each SP may be allocated to a single station,
such that only the station to which the SP is allocated is allowed
to communicate during the SP. The BI also includes one or more
Contention-Based-Periods (CBPs), during which the stations may be
allowed to communicate using a suitable contention-based mechanism.
The CBP may include a centric CBP managed by control point 124, or
a distributed contention-based-period.
[0033] In some demonstrative embodiments, station 102, 105 and/or
106 may switch between a first power-consumption ("active" or
"awake") mode of operation, in which the stations may communicate
over the network; and between a second, reduced, power-consumption
("power-save" or "sleep") mode of operation. A station, e.g.,
station 102, 105 and/or 106, may send a notification to inform
other elements of the network, e.g., other stations and/or control
point 124, of one or more beacon intervals, during which the
station will be in the power-save mode.
[0034] In some demonstrative embodiments, a station, e.g., station
102, intending to transmit a transmission to at least one other
station, e.g., station 106, at a certain time during a CBP, may be
required to determine whether the other station is active or not at
the certain time. For example, if station 106 has indicated to
station 102 that station 102 is intending to be active during a BI,
and during a CBP of the BI, station 106 switches to the power-save
mode without notifying station 102, then station 102 may attempt to
perform a transmission to station 106, when station 106 is in the
power-save mode. If station 106 has indicated to station 102 that
station 102 is intending to be in the power-save mode during a BI,
and during a CBP of the BI, station 106 switches to the active mode
without notifying station 102, then station 102 may avoid a
transmission to station 106 during the CBP, although station 106 is
active.
[0035] In some demonstrative embodiments, station 102, station 105,
station 106 and/or control point 124 may implement a Power
Management (PM) scheme allowing a station, e.g., station 106. to
switch between the active mode and the power-save mode, even during
one or more CBPs of a BI, e.g., as described in detail below.
[0036] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication
unit 108 may operate in the active mode to communicate with station
102, station 105 and/or control point 124 during a CBP of a BI, to
switch from the active mode to the power-save mode during the CBP
and/or to switch from the power-save mode to the active mode during
the CBP, e.g., as described below.
[0037] In some demonstrative embodiments, the CBP may include a
centric CBP managed by control point 124, e.g., in accordance with
the WGA specification and/or any other suitable specification.
According to these embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 may
transmit, e.g., during a CBP, a message informing control point 124
that wireless communication unit 108 is to switch from the active
mode to the power-save mode. The message may include, for example,
a frame having a power-mode bit set to a predefined value, e.g.,
one. Wireless communication unit 108 may switch to the power-save
mode upon receiving an acknowledgment from control point 124.
[0038] For example, wireless communication unit 108 may send a
suitable frame, e.g., a Targeted-Request-To-Send (TRTS) frame or a
Quality-of-Service (QoS) Null frame, to control point 124, e.g., at
any time during a PCP-centric CBP. If wireless communication unit
108 is engaged in communication with control unit 124, then
wireless communication unit 108 may send a TRTS frame or a data
frame. The frame may include any suitable predefined power-mode bit
set to a predefined value, e.g., one, indicating that wireless
communication unit 108 requests to switch to the power-save
mode.
[0039] In some demonstrative embodiments, upon receiving the frame
with the power-mode bit set to one, control point 124 may send an
acknowledgement, e.g., in the form of a Target-Clear-To-Send (TCTS)
frame or an acknowledgement (ACK) frame, having the power-mode bit
set to a predefined value, e.g., one. Control point 124 may send an
acknowledgement to one or more, e.g., all, stations in the PBSS,
including station 106. Upon receiving the acknowledgement, wireless
communication unit 108 may switch to the power-save mode.
[0040] In some demonstrative embodiments, the CBP may include a
distributed CBP, e.g., in accordance with the WGA specification
and/or any other suitable specification. According to these
embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 may transmit to other
wireless communication devices of the PBSS, e.g., stations 102 and
105, one or more messages informing the wireless communication
devices that wireless communication unit 108 is to switch from the
active mode to the power-save mode. At least one of the messages
may include, for example, a frame having a power-mode bit set to a
predefined value, e.g., one. A station, e.g., station 102 and/or
105, receiving the message from wireless communication unit 108 may
be notified that station 106 will be in the power-save mode; and,
in response, transmit an acknowledgement to station 106. Wireless
communication unit 108 may switch to the power-save mode, for
example, upon receiving an acknowledgment from each of the other
wireless communication devices in the PBSS.
[0041] For example, during the distributed CBP, wireless
communication unit 106 may send to each station of the PBSS, e.g.,
stations 102 and 105, data frames and/or QoS-NULL frames with the
power-mode bit set to one, to indicate that wireless communication
unit 108 is to switch to the power-save mode. Wireless
communication unit 108 may switch to the power-save mode, for
example, upon receiving an ACK to the last data frame sent by
wireless communication unit 108.
[0042] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication
unit 108 may send a frame having the power-mode bit set to another
predefined value, e.g., zero, to indicate that wireless
communication unit 108 is to be in the active mode, e.g., to switch
from the power-save mode to the active mode, during the CBP. It may
be assumed, for example, by stations 102 and 105 that station 106
is in the active mode during the CBP, e.g., if stations 102 and 105
do not receive a message from control point 124 or wireless
communication device 108 indicating that wireless communication
unit 108 is to switch to the power-save mode.
[0043] In some demonstrative embodiments, the notification sent by
wireless communication unit 108 may be used to indicate any
suitable predefined PM scheme during one or more CBPs.
[0044] In one example, the PM scheme may define that a station,
e.g., station 106, may set the power-mode bit to one during a CBP
("the current CBP") of a BI ("the current BI") to indicate that the
station is to switch to the power-save mode and remain in the
power-save mode until the end of the BI, e.g., such that the
station is to be in the power-save mode during the current CBP as
well as any additional CBPs, if any, of the current BI. For
example, if the current BI includes three CBPs, station 106 may be
active during a first CBP and part of a second CBP; and station 106
may send a frame having the power-mode bit set to one during the
second CBP, to indicate that station 106 is to switch to the
power-save mode and remain in the power-save mode until the end of
the second CBP and during the third CBP, e.g., unless station 106
sends a frame having the power-mode bit set to zero, prior to or
during the third CBP.
[0045] In another example, the PM scheme may define that a station,
e.g., station 106, may set the power-mode bit to one during the
current CBP of the current BI to indicate that the station is to
switch to the power-save mode and remain in the power-save mode
until the end of the current CBP, e.g., such that the station is to
be active in a next CBP, if any, of the current BI. For example, if
the current BI includes three CBPs, station 106 may be active
during a first CBP and part of the second CBP; and station 106 may
send a frame having the power-mode bit set to one during the second
CBP, to indicate that station 106 is to switch to the power-save
mode and remain in the power-save mode until the end of the second
CBP. Station 106 may be active during the third CBP, e.g., unless
station 106 sends another frame having the power-mode bit set to
one during the third CBP.
[0046] Reference is made to FIG. 2, which schematically illustrates
a method of power management during a CBP, in accordance with some
demonstrative embodiments. In some demonstrative embodiments, one
or more operations of the method of FIG. 2 may be performed by a
wireless network e.g., the PBSS of FIG. 1, a communication device,
e.g., station 106 (FIG. 1), and/or a wireless communication unit,
e.g., wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1).
[0047] As indicated at block 202, the method may include operating
a wireless communication unit in an active mode to communicate with
one or more other wireless communication devices in a wireless area
network during a CBP of a BI. For example, wireless communication
unit 108 (FIG. 1) may operate in an active mode during a CBP, e.g.,
as described above.
[0048] As indicated at block 204, the method may include switching
the wireless communication unit from the active mode to a
power-save mode during the CBP. For example, wireless communication
unit 108 (FIG. 1) may switch to the power-save mode during the CBP,
e.g., as described above.
[0049] As indicated at block 206, in some demonstrative
embodiments, the CBP may include a centric CBP managed by a control
point. For example, the CBP may include a centric CBP managed by
control point 124 (FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.
[0050] As indicated at block 208, the method may include
transmitting a message from the wireless communication device to
the control point, wherein the message includes an indication to
the control point that the wireless communication unit is to switch
from the active mode to the power-save mode. For example, wireless
communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may transmit to control point 124
(FIG. 1) a frame having the power-mode bit set to one, e.g., as
described above.
[0051] As indicated at block 210, the method may include receiving
an acknowledgement from the control point. For example, wireless
communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may receive an ACK or TCTS frame
from control point 124 (FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.
[0052] As indicated at block 212, the method may include switching
the wireless communication unit to the power-save mode upon
receiving the acknowledgment from the control point. For example,
wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may switch to the
power-save mode upon receiving the acknowledgement.
[0053] As indicated at block 214, in some demonstrative
embodiments, the CBP includes a distributed CBP, e.g., as described
above.
[0054] As indicated at block 216, the method may include
transmitting one or more messages from the wireless communication
unit to the other wireless communication devices, the messages
informing the wireless communication devices that the wireless
communication unit is to switch from the active mode to the
power-save mode. For example, wireless communication unit 108 (FIG.
1) may transmit, e.g., during the CBP, a frame having the
power-mode bit set to one to stations 102 and/or 105 (FIG. 1)
and/or other stations of a PBSS.
[0055] As indicated at block 218, the method may include receiving
an acknowledgment from each of the other wireless communication
devices. For example, wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may
receive an acknowledgement frame from stations 102 and/or 105 (FIG.
1) and/or other stations, e.g., as described above.
[0056] As indicated at block 220, the method may include switching
the wireless communication unit to the power-save mode upon
receiving the acknowledgment from each of the other wireless
communication devices. For example, wireless communication unit 108
(FIG. 1) may switch to the power-save mode upon receiving the
acknowledgements, e.g., as described above.
[0057] Referring back to FIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments
a PBSS, e.g., including station 102, station 105, station 106
and/or control point 124, may implement a PM scheme allowing a
first station, e.g., station 106, to receive information regarding
an operation mode of a second station in the PBSS, e.g., station
102 and/or station 105, and/or to negotiate with the second station
an active/power-save schedule ("wakeup schedule"), e.g., as
described below.
[0058] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication
unit 108 may transmit to control point 124 an information request
frame identifying at least one other wireless communication device
in the PBSS, e.g., station 102. In response, wireless communication
unit 108 may receive from control point 124 a response including
wakeup information defining a wakeup schedule including at least
one wakeup period of the other wireless communication device, e.g.,
during a CBP of a BI. Based on the wakeup information, wireless
communication unit 108 may transmit a wireless transmission
directly to the other wireless communication device during the
wakeup period of the other wireless communication device.
[0059] For example, during a CBP, wireless communication unit 108
may transmit to control point 124 a frame, e.g., a TRTS, including
a Target Address (TA) set to an address of station 102, which may
be in the power-save mode during the CBP. In response, control
point 124 may send to wireless communication unit 108 a frame,
e.g., as TCTS, including a field, e.g., a duration field, set to a
predefined value, e.g., zero, indicating that station 102 is in the
power-save mode. The TCTS may also be received by other stations of
the PBSS, e.g., station 105, thereby to inform the other stations
that station 102 is in the power-save mode. Control point 124 may
also send to station 106 a suitable frame, e.g., an unsolicited
Information Response frame, including information, e.g., in the
form of a wakeup-schedule Information Element (IE), regarding a
wakeup schedule of station 102. Based on the wakeup schedule of
station 102, wireless communication unit 108 may transmit a
transmission directly to station 102, e.g., when station 102 will
switch to the active mode of operation.
[0060] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication
unit 108 may establish a common wakeup schedule with at least one
other wireless communication device of the PBSS, e.g., station 102.
The common wakeup schedule may include at least one common wakeup
period for direct communication between wireless communication unit
108 and station 102. For example, wireless communication unit 108
may transmit to the other wireless communication device a
wakeup-configuration request defining the common wakeup
schedule.
[0061] For example, based on the wakeup schedule IE of station 102,
wireless communication unit 108 may determine a BI in which station
102 is to be active, and wireless communication unit 108 may also
be active in the same BI as station 102, to initiate a data
communication with station 102. In one example, wireless
communication unit 108 may send a suitable frame ("the Power Save
Configuration Request frame") to station 102 including information
identifying a common wakeup schedule. Station 102 may accept the
wakeup schedule and send back to station 106 a suitable
wakeup-configuration acknowledgement frame ("the Power Save
Configuration Response frame").
[0062] In some demonstrative embodiments, station 102 and/or
wireless communication device 108 may transmit information defining
the common wakeup schedule to control point 124. For example, upon
receiving the wakeup-configuration acknowledgment from station 102,
wireless communication unit 108 may transmit to control point 124 a
first Power Save Configuration Request frame to update the wakeup
schedule of station 106 according to the common wakeup schedule;
and/or station 102 may transmit to control point 124 a second Power
Save Configuration Request frame to update the wakeup schedule of
station 102 according to the common wakeup schedule.
[0063] In some demonstrative embodiments, the PM scheme may allow
different wakeup schedules to be defined for different links within
the PBSS.
[0064] In one embodiment, wireless communication unit 108 may
establish at least first and second different common wakeup
schedules with at least first and second respective other wireless
communication devices of the PBSS. For example, wireless
communication unit 108 may establish a first common wakeup schedule
with station 102 and a second, different, wakeup schedule with
station 105.
[0065] In another embodiment, the common wakeup schedule defined
between stations 102 and 106 may be different from a wakeup
schedule defined between station 102 and control point 124 and/or a
wakeup schedule defined between station 106 and control point
124.
[0066] In some demonstrative embodiments, the wakeup schedules
between station 106 and control point 124 and station 102 may be
based on amounts of traffic to be communicated between station 106
and control point 124 and station 102, respectively. For example, a
wakeup schedule including a greater number of BIs during which
station 106 is to be active may be defined for a link intended for
communication of a greater amount of data. In one example, a first
wakeup schedule may be defined between station 106 and control
point 124, e.g., such that station 106 is active every first number
of BIs, while being in the power-save mode during other BIs; and a
second wakeup schedule may be defined between station 106 and
station 102, e.g., such that stations 106 and 102 are active every
second number of BIs, while being allowed to be in the power-save
mode during other BIs. The first number of BIs may be greater than
the second number of BIs, for example, if an amount of data to be
communicated between station 106 and control point 124 is lesser
than an amount of data to be communicated between stations 106 and
102. For example, the first wakeup schedule may define that station
106 is active every fifth BI for communication with control point
124; and the second wakeup schedule may define that station 106 is
active every second BI for communication with station 102.
[0067] Reference is made to FIG. 3, which schematically illustrates
a method of power management scheduling, in accordance with some
demonstrative embodiments. In some demonstrative embodiments, one
or more operations of the method of FIG. 3 may be performed by a
wireless network e.g., the PBSS of FIG. 1, a device, e.g., station
106 (FIG. 1), and/or a wireless communication unit, e.g., wireless
communication unit 108 (FIG. 1).
[0068] As indicated at block 302, the method may include
transmitting an information request frame from a wireless
communication device to a control point of a wireless area network,
the information request frame identifying at least one destination
wireless communication device of the wireless area network. For
example, wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may transmit to
control point 124 (FIG. 1) an information request frame identifying
station 102 (FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.
[0069] As indicated at block 304, the method may include receiving
from the control point a response including wakeup information
defining a wakeup schedule including at least one wakeup period of
the destination wireless communication device. For example,
wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may receive from control
point 124 (FIG. 1) information defining the wakeup schedule of
station 102 (FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.
[0070] As indicated at block 306, the method may include
transmitting, based on the wakeup information, a wireless
transmission from the wireless communication unit directly to the
destination wireless communication device during the wakeup period
of the destination wireless communication device. For example,
wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may transmit directly to
station 102 (FIG. 1) during the wakeup period of station 102 (FIG.
1), e.g., as described above.
[0071] As indicated at block 308, the method may include
establishing a common wakeup schedule between the wireless
communication unit and the destination wireless communication
device. The common wakeup schedule may include at least one common
wakeup period for direct communication between the wireless
communication unit and the destination wireless communication
device. The common wakeup schedule may be, for example, different
from a wakeup schedule between the wireless communication unit and
the control point and/or a wakeup schedule between the destination
wireless communication device and the control point, e.g., as
described above.
[0072] As indicated at bock 309, establishing the common wakeup
schedule may include transmitting a wakeup-configuration request to
the destination wireless communication device, the
wakeup-configuration request defining the common wakeup schedule.
For example, wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may send to
station 102 (FIG. 1) a wakeup-configuration request, e.g., as
described above.
[0073] As indicated at block 310, establishing the common wakeup
schedule may include receiving an acknowledgement from the
destination wireless communication device. For example, wireless
communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may receive an acknowledgement from
station 102 (FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.
[0074] As indicated at block 312, establishing the common wakeup
schedule may include transmitting to the control point information
defining the common wakeup schedule. For example, wireless
communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may transmit information defining
the common wakeup schedule with station 102 (FIG. 1) to control
point 124 (FIG. 1), e.g., upon receiving the wakeup-configuration
acknowledgment from station 102 (FIG. 1); and/or station 102 (FIG.
1) may transmit information defining the common wakeup schedule
with station 106 (FIG. 1) to control point 124 (FIG. 1), e.g., as
described above.
[0075] Reference is made to FIG. 4, which schematically illustrates
an article of manufacture 400, in accordance with some
demonstrative embodiments. Article 400 may include a
machine-readable storage medium 402 to store logic 404, which may
be used, for example, to perform at least part of the functionality
of wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1), station 102 (FIG. 1),
station 105 (FIG. 1), station 106 and/or control point 124 (FIG.
1); and/or to perform one or more operations of the method of FIG.
2 and/or FIG. 3.
[0076] In some demonstrative embodiments, article 400 and/or
machine-readable storage medium 402 may include one or more types
of computer-readable storage media capable of storing data,
including volatile memory, non-volatile memory, removable or
non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writeable or
re-writeable memory, and the like. For example, machine-readable
storage medium 402 may include, RAM, DRAM, Double-Data-Rate DRAM
(DDR-DRAM), SDRAM, static RAM (SRAM), ROM, programmable ROM (PROM),
erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable
programmable ROM (EEPROM), Compact Disk ROM (CD-ROM), Compact Disk
Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), flash memory
(e.g., NOR or NAND flash memory), content addressable memory (CAM),
polymer memory, phase-change memory, ferroelectric memory,
silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, a disk, a
floppy disk, a hard drive, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a
card, a magnetic card, an optical card, a tape, a cassette, and the
like. The computer-readable storage media may include any suitable
media involved with downloading or transferring a computer program
from a remote computer to a requesting computer carried by data
signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium
through a communication link, e.g., a modem, radio or network
connection.
[0077] In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 404 may include
instructions, data, and/or code, which, if executed by a machine,
may cause the machine to perform a method, process and/or
operations as described herein. The machine may include, for
example, any suitable processing platform, computing platform,
computing device, processing device, computing system, processing
system, computer, processor, or the like, and may be implemented
using any suitable combination of hardware, software, firmware, and
the like.
[0078] In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 404 may include, or
may be implemented as, software, a software module, an application,
a program, a subroutine, instructions, an instruction set,
computing code, words, values, symbols, and the like. The
instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source
code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static
code, dynamic code, and the like. The instructions may be
implemented according to a predefined computer language, manner or
syntax, for instructing a processor to perform a certain function.
The instructions may be implemented using any suitable high-level,
low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/or interpreted
programming language, such as C, C++, Java, BASIC, Matlab, Pascal,
Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, and the like.
[0079] Functions, operations, components and/or features described
herein with reference to one or more embodiments, may be combined
with, or may be utilized in combination with, one or more other
functions, operations, components and/or features described herein
with reference to one or more other embodiments, or vice versa.
[0080] While certain features of the invention have been
illustrated and described herein, many modifications,
substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled
in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended
claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as
fall within the true spirit of the invention.
* * * * *