Method and apparatus for multi-band power management in a wireless network

A method of managing a power state of a wireless station (STA) for cooperative multi-band operation between the STA and a wireless access point (AP) for a wireless network, the method comprising:

• performing a wireless transmission to transmit data from the STA to the AP over a first band;
• receiving a QoS Null frame transmitted from the STA to the AP using the first band, wherein the STA and the AP are in wireless communication using the first band and a second band, and wherein the QoS Null frame triggers a service period (SP) for the first band and the second band;
• pausing the first wireless transmission on the first band and updating a power management mode of the STA for the first band according to a subfield of a frame received by the STA from the AP;
• and
• updating a power management mode of the STA for the second band according to a first subfield of the QoS Null frame received from the STA indicating that additional data is buffered on the second band, wherein the second band is identified by a band information subfield of the QoS Null frame, wherein the QoS Null frame further comprises a second subfield indicating additional data is buffered on the second band.

A wireless access point (AP) for performing cooperative multi-band operation with a wireless station (STA) in a wireless network, the AP comprising:

• a first transceiver configured to communicate over a first wireless band;
• a second transceiver configured to communicate over a second wireless band, wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver are operable to communicate simultaneously;
• a cooperative management unit configured to exchange data with the first transceiver and the second transceiver for managing simultaneous communication of the first transceiver and the second transceiver;
• and
• a processor operable to:
• receive a QoS Null frame transmitted from the STA using the first wireless band, and wherein the QoS Null frame triggers a service period (SP) for the first wireless band and the second wireless band;
• pause the first wireless transmission on the first wireless band and updating a power management mode of the STA for the first wireless band according to a subfield of a frame received by the STA from the AP;
• and
• update a power management mode of the STA for the second wireless band according to a first subfield of the QoS Null frame received from the STA indicating that additional data is buffered on the second wireless band, wherein the second wireless band is identified by a band information subfield of the QoS Null frame, wherein the QoS Null frame further comprises a second subfield indicating additional data is buffered on the second wireless band.