Balancing quality of service and power saving in a direct communication link environment

摘要

A first network device in communication with a second network device via a wireless communication link provides an indication to the second network device that the first network device will enter a power save mode. While operating in the power save mode, the first network device periodically transmits a trigger frame to the second network device to determine whether the second network device comprises buffered frames for the first network device. The first network device receives the buffered frames from the second network device responsive to transmitting the trigger frame. In another example, if both the first and the second network devices operate in the power save mode, the first network device receives a notification of available buffered frames from the second network device. The first network device transmits buffered frames destined for the second network device prior to transmitting a response to the received notification.

主权项

1. A method for network communication, the method comprising:
establishing, from a first network device, a direct wireless communication link with a second network device of a communication network; providing an indication to the second network device that the first network device will enter a power save operating mode; while the first network device is in the power save operating mode,
transmitting a trigger frame from the first network device to the second network device to determine whether a first frame intended for the first network device is buffered at the second network device, wherein the first network device transmits the trigger frame prior to a predetermined time for transmission by the second network device of a peer traffic indicator (PTI) frame for indicating that the first frame intended for the first network device is buffered at the second network device; andreceiving the first frame from the second network device in response to said transmitting the trigger frame to the second network device.