System and Method for Hibernation Mode for Beaconing Devices

摘要

A system ( 400 ), device ( 500 ) ( 401 ), and method are provided for power saving in a wireless communication network ( 400 ), where all devices ( 401 _i) regularly transmit a beacon ( 600 ) but can enter a hibernation mode in which they do not transmit beacons ( 600 ) and operate in a power-saving state. A device ( 400 ) announces the start ( 303 ) and duration ( 304 ) of the hibernation period in its beacon ( 600 ) prior to its hibernation period. The neighboring devices ( 401 _i) keep information on the presence of the beacon ( 600 ) of the hibernating device ( 401 ) in their own beacons ( 600 ) in order to block the beacon slot ( 204 ) for the hibernating device ( 401 ) during its sleep time. Devices ( 401 _i) furthermore include an information element ( 604 ) in their beacons ( 600 ) that contains all receiver addresses for which a device ( 401 _i) has data pending to be sent.