POWER SAVING IN WI-FI DEVICES UTILIZING BLUETOOTH

摘要

The present description provides methods, computer program products, and systems for saving power in Wi-Fi devices utilizing Bluetooth. A Wi-Fi radio transitions to deep sleep mode from active mode while a Bluetooth radio remains active. An active Wi-Fi connection to the access point can be maintained by the station while in deep sleep mode as needed to prevent being disassociated. Responsive to the indication of data packets waiting at the access point, sent over the Bluetooth radio, the Wi-Fi radio at the station can be transitioned from the deep sleep mode to the active mode. A notification of active mode is sent to the access point currently associated with the Wi-Fi radio so that packets can be forwarded.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method in an access point of a wireless network for power saving to connected stations utilizing Bluetooth, comprising the steps of:
receiving a notification of deep sleep mode from a station having a Wi-Fi radio and associated with the access point, wherein the Wi-Fi radio transitions to deep sleep mode from active mode while a Bluetooth radio of the station remains active; maintaining an active connection to the station while in deep sleep mode, wherein the station maintains active state information in a non-volatile internal data structure; receiving data packets addressed to the station for Wi-Fi transmission; responsive to receiving the data packets addressed to the station while in deep sleep mode, sending an indication of data packets addressed to the Wi-Fi radio, over a Bluetooth radio of the access point; receiving a notification of active mode from the station, responsive to the station transitioning the Wi-Fi radio from the deep sleep ode to the active mode; and sending one or more data packets to the Wi-Fi radio of the station.