Hardware-based packet address parsing for packet reception in wireless networks

A method of packet reception in a power-constrained device, comprising:

• sensing a packet available to be received;
• responsive to the sensing, activating a network physical layer from a shutdown state;
• decoding at least a physical layer portion and a media access control layer portion of a header of the packet, the media access control layer portion of the header including a destination media access control address;
• determining whether the destination media access control address from the media access control layer portion of the header of the packet is recognized, the determining performed by a media access control address parser;
• responsive to recognition of the destination media access control address, activating a fixed function hardware media access plane implementing IEEE 802.11 series media access control and coupled to a programmable microprocessor through a bus interface, wherein the determining whether the destination media access control address from the media access control layer portion of the header of the packet is recognized is performed while the fixed function hardware media access plane is in a shutdown state;
• deactivating the network physical layer responsive to the media access control address parser not recognizing the media access control address;
• and
• performing, at the fixed function hardware media access plane, after activation, media access control without using the programmable microprocessor, to provide data from the packet to the programmable microprocessor.