Systems and methods for low power operations on wireless networks

A method of communicating a power management mode of a station on a wireless network, comprising:

• receiving by an access point a first message, the first message indicating that the station is operating in one of at least three power management modes, wherein the indication is communicated in a power management portion of a frame control field of a media access control header, wherein the power management portion comprises more than one bit;
• and
• communicating with the station in accordance with the indicated mode.

An apparatus for communicating a power management mode of a station on a wireless network, comprising:

• a transmitter configured to transmit a first message on the wireless network, the first message indicating one of at least three power management modes, wherein the indication is communicated in a power management portion of a frame control field of a media access control header, wherein the power management portion comprises more than one bit;
• and
• a processor configured to operate the apparatus in a power management state in accordance with the indicated power management mode.

An apparatus for communicating a power management mode of a station on a wireless network, comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a first message;
• and
• a processor configured to interpret the first message, the first message indicating that the station is operating in one of at least three power management modes, wherein the indication is communicated in a power management portion of a frame control field of a media access control header, wherein the power management portion comprises more than one bit, the processor configured to communicate with the station in accordance with the indicated mode.

An apparatus for communicating a power management mode of a station on a wireless network, comprising:

• means for transmitting by a station a first message on the wireless network, the first message indicating one of at least three power management modes, wherein the indication is communicated in a power management portion of a frame control field of a media access control header, wherein the power management portion comprises more than one bit;
• and
• means for operating the station in a power management state in accordance with the indicated power management mode.

An access point for communicating a power management mode of a station on a wireless network, comprising:

• means for receiving a first message, the first message indicating that a station is operating in one of at least three power management modes, wherein the indication is communicated in a power management portion of a frame control field of a media access control header, wherein the power management portion comprises more than one bit;
• and
• means for communicating with the station in accordance with the indicated mode.

A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform a method of communicating a power management mode of a station on a wireless network, the method comprising:

• transmitting by a station a first message on the wireless network, the first message indicating one of at least three power management modes, wherein the indication is communicated in a power management portion of a frame control field of a media access control header, wherein the power management portion comprises more than one bit;
• and
• operating the station in a power management state in accordance with the indicated power management mode.

A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform a method of receiving a power management mode of a station on a wireless network, the method comprising:

• receiving a first message, the first message indicating that a station is operating in one of at least three power management modes, wherein the indication is communicated in a power management portion of a frame control field of a media access control header, wherein the power management portion comprises more than one bit;
• and
• communicating with the station in accordance with the indicated mode.