Offloading MAC/link layer functions

A wireless device, comprising:

• processor circuitry configured (i) to store, prior to entering an active steady-state associated with a communication transport of a Medium Access Control/Link Layer (MAC/LL), a hardware configuration that is separate from a processor circuitry configuration,
• wherein the hardware configuration is associated with performing a MAC/LL function, and (ii) upon entering the active steady-state, the processor circuitry then enters a sleep state, such that the sleep state of the processor circuitry occurs during a portion of a steady-state mode of operation of the communication transport;
• and
• a hardware circuit separate from the processor circuitry,
• wherein the hardware circuit is configured to implement, during the active steady-state, the MAC/LL function in accordance with the stored hardware configuration while the processor circuitry is in the sleep state, and without processor circuitry intervention;
• wherein the active steady-state is part of the steady-state mode of operation, the steady-state mode of operation being a state that is control packet transmission free for managed connections in connection oriented communications or a continuous broadcast or scan operation in connectionless communications.