Transceiver control with sleep mode operation

A transceiver apparatus comprising:

• a transmitter portion for transmitting information:
• a receiver portion for receiving information, the receiver portion being switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the receiver portion for selectively switching the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode upon detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver, whereby the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode:
• wherein the control circuit switches the receiver portion between the active mode and the low power consumption mode based on a power level of the information signal;
• wherein the control circuit includes a comparator for comparing the power level of the information signal to a threshold level, and the control circuit switches the receiver portion between the active mode and the low power consumption mode based on the comparison;
• and
• wherein the control circuit further includes a circuit for calculating the threshold level based on a noise floor level.

A transceiver apparatus comprising:

• a transmitter portion for transmitting information;
• and
• a receiver portion for receiving information, the receiver portion being switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the receiver portion for selectively switching the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode upon detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver, whereby the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein the control circuit switches the receiver portion between the active mode and the low power consumption mode based on a power level of the information signal:
• wherein the control circuit switches the receiver portion from the active mode to the low power consumption mode based also on a carrier sense signal obtained from the information signal.

A transceiver apparatus comprising:

• a transmitter portion for transmitting information;
• a receiver portion for receiving information, the receiver portion being switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the receiver portion for selectively switching the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode upon detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver, whereby the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein the control circuit switches the receiver portion between the active mode and the low power consumption mode based on a power level of the information signal;
• and
• wherein the information signal includes a packet including length information relating to the packet, and the control circuit switches the receiver portion from the active mode to the low power consumption mode based also on an indicia of the length of the packet.

A transceiver apparatus, comprising:

• a transmitter portion for transmitting information;
• and
• a receiver portion for receiving information, wherein the receiver portion includes circuitry for detecting a signal strength of a received signal, and circuitry for disabling receiver circuitry included in the receiver portion if the signal strength of the received signal is below a pre-determined threshold;
• and
• wherein the signal strength of the received signal is represented by a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signal, the RSSI signal is input into a controller and a comparator, the controller generates a dynamically changing threshold signal based on a noise level, and the comparator compares the RSSI signal with the threshold signal generated by the controller.

A method for controlling a transceiver apparatus having a transmitter portion for transmitting information;

• and a receiver portion for receiving information, the receiver portion being switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode, the method comprising the step of:
• selectively switching the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode in response to detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver while in the low power consumption mode, whereby the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode;
• said receiver portion including power-consuming components that are selectively activated in the active mode but not activated in the low power consumption mode and power-consuming components that are activated in both the low sower consumption mode and the active mode;
• said selectively switching step including reducing the supply of power to the power-consuming components that are not activated in the low power consumption mode during the low power consumption mode and increasing the supply of power to these components during the active mode;
• and
• said selectively switching step also including maintaining the supply of power to the power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode during the low power consumption mode and in the active mode.

A method for controlling a transceiver apparatus having a transmitter portion for transmitting information, and a receiver portion for receiving information, the receiver portion being switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode, the method comprising the step of:

• selectively switching the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode upon detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver, whereby the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein the information signal is detected by detecting a power level of the information signal;
• wherein the receiver portion is switched if the power level is greater than a predetermined threshold;
• and
• wherein the predetermined threshold is updated periodically based on a current noise level.

A method for controlling a transceiver apparatus having transmitter portion for transmitting information;

• and a receiver portion for receiving information, the receiver portion being switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode, the method comprising the step of:
• selectively switching the receiver portion from the active mode to the low power consumption mode if a signal strength of a received signal falls below a predetermined threshold;
• and
• wherein the receiver portion is switched if the power level is less than a predetermined threshold, and the predetermined threshold is updated periodically based on a current noise level.

A transceiver apparatus, comprising:

• a transmitter portion for transmitting information, the transmitter portion being switchable, based on a control input, between a low power consumption mode and an active mode during which information is transmitted;
• a receiver portion for receiving information, the receiver portion being switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the receiver portion for selectively switching the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode in response to detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver while in the low power consumption mode, whereby the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein the receiver portion includes power-consuming components that are selectively activated in the active mode but not activated in the low power consumption mode and power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode;
• wherein the supply of power to the power-consuming components that are not activated in the low power consumption mode is reduced during the low sower consumption mode and increased during the active mode;
• and
• wherein the supply of power is maintained to the power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode during the low power consumption mode and in the active mode.

A transceiver apparatus comprising:

• a transmitter portion for transmitting information, the transmitter portion being switchable, based on a control input, between a low power consumption mode and an active mode during which information is transmitted;
• a receiver portion for receiving information, the receiver portion being switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the receiver portion for selectively switching the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode in response to detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver, whereby the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein the control circuit includes a circuit for determining whether the information signal requires a response and for switching the transmitter portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode in the event the information signal requires a response.

A receiver apparatus, comprising:

• a receiver portion for receiving information, the receiver portion being switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the receiver portion for selectively switching the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode in response to detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver while in the low power consumption mode, whereby the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein the receiver portion includes power-consuming components that are selectively activated in the active mode but not activated in the low sower consumption mode and power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode;
• wherein the supply of power to the power-consuming components that are not activated in the low power consumption mode is reduced during the low power consumption mode and increased during the active mode;
• and
• wherein the supply of power is maintained to the power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode during the low power consumption mode and in the active mode.

A cellular communication system, comprising:

• a network;
• a host computer coupled to the network;
• a plurality of base stations coupled to the network and communicating with the host computer, each of the base stations including a base station transmitter for transmitting wireless communications and a base station receiver for receiving wireless communications;
• and
• a plurality of mobile terminals each for communicating with the network by way of at least one of the plurality of base stations, each of the plurality of mobile terminals having a mobile terminal receiver for receiving wireless communications from at least one of the plurality of base stations;
• wherein the receiver of at least one of the mobile terminals or base stations includes:
• a receiver portion for receiving information, the receiver portion being switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the receiver portion for selectively switching the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode in response to detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver while in the low power consumption mode, whereby the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein the receiver portion includes power-consuming components that are selectively activated in the active mode but not activated in the low power consumption mode and power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode;
• wherein the supply of power to the power-consuming components that are not activated in the low power consumption mode is reduced during the low power consumption mode and increased during the active mode;
• and
• wherein the supply of power is maintained to the power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode during the low power consumption mode and in the active mode.

A cellular communication system comprising:

• a network;
• a host computer coupled to the network;
• a plurality of base stations coupled to the network and communicating with the host computer, each of the base stations including a base station transmitter for transmitting wireless communications and a base station receiver for receiving wireless communications;
• and
• a plurality of mobile terminals each for communicating with the network by way of at least one of the plurality of base stations, each of the plurality of mobile terminals having a mobile terminal receiver for receiving wireless communications from at least one of the plurality of base stations;
• wherein the receiver of at least one of the mobile terminals or base stations includes;
• a receiver portion for receiving information, the receiver portion being switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the receiver portion for selectively switching the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode by detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver, whereby the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein the control circuit switches the receiver portion between the active mode and the low power consumption mode based on a power level of the information signal;
• wherein the control circuit includes a circuit for comparing the power level of the information signal to a threshold level, and the control circuit switches the receiver portion between the active mode and the low power consumption mode based on the comparison;
• and
• wherein the control circuit further includes threshold level circuitry for calculating and updating the threshold level based on a current noise floor level.

A transceiver apparatus, comprising:

• a transmitter portion which transmits information;
• a receiver portion which receives information and which is switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the receiver portion which selectively switches the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode in response to detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver while in the low power consumption mode so that the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein the receiver portion includes power-consuming components that are selectively activated in the active mode but not activated in the low power consumption mode and power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode;
• wherein the supply of Dower to the power-consuming components that are not activated in the low power consumption mode is reduced during the low power consumption mode and increased during the active mode;
• and
• wherein the supply of power is maintained to the power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode during the low power consumption mode and in the active mode.

A transceiver apparatus, comprising:

• transmitting means for transmitting information;
• receiving means for receiving information;
• and
• control means for selectively switching the receiver means from a low power consumption mode to an active mode in response to detecting, while the receiving means is in the low power consumption mode, an information signal to be received so that the receiving means receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein the receiving means includes power-consuming components that are selectively activated in the active mode but not activated in the low power consumption mode and power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode;
• wherein the supply of power to the power-consuming components that are not activated in the low power consumption mode is reduced during the low power consumption mode and increased during the active mode;
• and
• wherein the supply of power is maintained to the power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode during the low power consumption mode and in the active mode.

A method for controlling a transceiver apparatus having a transmitter portion for transmitting information and a receiver portion for receiving information;

• said method comprising the steps of:
• detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver portion when the receiver power is in a low power consumption mode;
• and
• switching the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to an active mode in response to the detecting step;
• said switching step being performed so that the information signal is received by the receiver portion when it is in the active mode;
• said receiving portion including power-consuming components that are selectively activated in the active mode but not activated in the low power consumption mode and power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode;
• said switching step including reducing the supply of power to the power-consuming components that are not activated in the low power consumption mode during the low sower consumption mode and increasing the supply of power during the active mode;
• and
• said switching step also including maintaining the supply of power to the power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode during the low power consumption mode and in the active mode.

A receiver apparatus, comprising:

• a receiver portion which receives information and which is switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the receiver portion which selectively switches the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode, while the receiver portion is in the low power consumption mode in response to detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver so that the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein the receiver portion includes power-consuming components that are selectively activated in the active mode but not activated in the low power consumption mode and power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode;
• wherein the supply of power to the power-consuming components that are not activated in the low power consumption mode is reduced during the low power consumption mode and increased during the active mode;
• and
• wherein the supply of power is maintained to the power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode during the low power consumption mode and in the active mode.

A receiver apparatus, comprising:

• receiving means for receiving information;
• and
• control means for selectively switching the receiver means from a low power consumption mode to an active mode in response to detecting an information signal to be received, while the receiving means is in the low power consumption mode so that the receiving means receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein the receiver portion-includes power-consuming components that are selectively activated in the active mode but not activated in the low power consumption mode and power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode;
• wherein the supply of power to the power-consuming components that are not activated in the low power consumption mode is reduced during the low power consumption mode and increased during the active mode;
• and
• wherein the supply of power is maintained to the power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode during the low power consumption mode and in the active mode.

A method for controlling a receiver apparatus comprising the steps of

• detecting an information signal to be received by a receiver portion when the receiver portion is in a low power consumption mode;
• and
• switching the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to an active mode in response to the detecting step;
• said switching step being performed so that the information signal is received by the receiver portion when it is in the active mode;
• said receiver portion including Power-consuming components that are selectively activated in the active mode but not activated in the low power consumption mode and power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode;
• said switching step including reducing the supply of power to the power-consuming components that are not activated in the low power consumption mode during the low power consumption mode and increasing the supply of power to these components during the active mode;
• and
• said switching step also including the step of maintaining the supply of power to the power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode during the low power consumption mode and in the active mode.

A cellular communication system, comprising:

• a network;
• a host computer coupled to the network;
• a plurality of base stations coupled to the network and communicating with the host computer, each of the base stations including a base station transmitter for transmitting wireless communications and a base station receiver for receiving wireless communications;
• and
• a plurality of mobile terminals each for communicating with the network by way of at least one of the plurality of base stations, each of the plurality of mobile terminals having a mobile terminal receiver for receiving wireless communications from at least one of the plurality of base stations;
• wherein the receiver of at least one of the mobile terminals or base stations includes:
• a receiver portion which receives information and which is switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the receiver portion which selectively switches the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode in response to detecting an information signal, while in the low power consumption mode to be received by the receiver so that the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein the receiver portion includes power-consuming components that are selectively activated in the active mode but not activated in the low power consumption mode and power-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode;
• wherein the supply of power to the power-consuming components that are not activated in the low power consumption mode is reduced during the low power consumption mode and increased during the active mode;
• and
• wherein the supply of power is maintained to the Dower-consuming components that are activated in both the low power consumption mode and the active mode during the low power consumption mode and in the active mode.

A transceiver apparatus, comprising:

• a transmitter portion for transmitting information;
• a receiver portion for receiving information, the receiver portion being switchable between a low power consumption mode and an active mode;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the receiver portion for selectively switching the receiver portion from the low power consumption mode to the active mode in response to detecting an information signal to be received by the receiver, whereby the receiver portion receives the information signal in the active mode;
• wherein when operating in the low power consumption mode the apparatus consumes power at a substantially constant lower power level which is lower that an amount of power consumed by the apparatus when operating in the active mode.