Apparatus and method for performing virtual hibernation during idle period in wireless lan system, and terminal during idle period of wireless lan system terminal

A terminal for performing hibernation during a rest time during which effective data traffic does not occur in a wireless local area network (WLAN), the terminal comprising:

• a receiver to receive, from an access point, a hibernation message indicating not to respond to a request of terminals during a predetermined period;
• a controller to control an operation of a terminal based on hibernation scheme included in the hibernation message;
• and
• a transmitter to transmit effective data the predetermined period of the hibernation ends.

A method of performing hibernation during a rest time during which effective data traffic does not occur in a wireless local area network (WLAN), the method comprising:

• transmitting a hibernation message indicating not to respond to a request of terminals to during a predetermined period;
• determining a scheme of performing the hibernation and whether to maintain an association between terminals associated before the hibernation is performed;
• and
• receiving effective data from the terminals after the predetermined period of the hibernation ends.