US 2010/0246460 A1 · Wireless Access Point Methods And Apparatus Using Dynamically-Activated Service Intervals

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for controlling a wireless access point (AP) (e.g. a battery-powered wireless AP) for reduced power consumption are provided. In one illustrative example, the AP is adapted to provide communication access for end stations in one or more activated service intervals of each superframe. During operation, the AP changes the number of activated service intervals that are available to end stations for the communication access, as well as the durations of their active subinterval durations, in accordance with a change in traffic requirements. The AP regularly broadcasts data which indicates the activated service intervals that are made available to the mobile devices. A wireless transceiver of the AP is enabled during each activated service interval made available to the mobile devices, but the AP is placed in a power conservation mode during each deactivated service interval provided in between the activated service intervals. The AP may also be placed in the power conservation mode during inactive subintervals of each activated service interval.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for controlling a wireless access point adapted to provide communication access for communication devices during one or more service intervals of each one of a plurality of superframes, the method comprising the acts of:

in response to a change in a traffic requirement for communication devices operating via the wireless access point:
changing, in accordance with the change in the traffic requirement, the number of activated service intervals in the superframe that are available to the communication devices for the communication access;
transmitting, to the communication devices, data which indicates the activated service intervals in the superframe that are made available to the communication devices for the communication access;
causing a wireless transceiver of the wireless access point to be enabled for communications during each said activated service interval;
and
causing the wireless access point to be placed into a power conservation mode during each power conservation interval provided in between said activated service intervals.

3 more elements

A wireless access point, comprising:

electrical components;
a battery power interface adapted for coupling to a battery power source for supplying electrical power to the electrical components;
the electrical components including:
at least one wireless transceiver;
an antenna coupled to the at least one wireless transceiver;
one or more processors coupled to the at least one wireless transceiver;
the one or more processors being operative with the wireless transceiver to:
provide communication access for communication devices in one or more activated service intervals of each one of a plurality of superframes;
in response to a change in a traffic requirement for the communication devices operating via the wireless access point:
change, in accordance with the change in the traffic requirement, the number of said activated service intervals in the superframe that are available to the communication devices for the communication access;
broadcast, to the communication devices, data which indicates the activated service intervals in the superframe that are made available to the communication devices for the communication access;
causing the wireless transceiver to be enabled for communications during each said activated service interval;
and
causing the wireless access point to be placed into a power conservation mode during each power conservation interval provided in between said activated service intervals.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wireless Access Point Methods And Apparatus Using Dynamically-Activated Service Intervals

Life of this patent

Wireless Access Point Methods And Apparatus Using Dynamically-Activated Service Intervals

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20