REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION IN WIRELESS STATIONS WITH LIMITED MEMORY

摘要

A wireless station of a wireless network receives, using a receiver, data units from another wireless device in the wireless network. The wireless station stores the data units in a memory contained in the wireless station. The wireless station determines if a current storage level in the memory is greater than a first threshold, and if so, sets the receiver in power savings mode. The wireless station then consumes data units stored in the local memory until the current storage level is lower than a second threshold. The wireless station maintains the receiver in the power savings mode until the current storage level falls below the second threshold. The receiver is then placed in active mode so that the station can receive additional data units for storing in the memory. Power consumption in the wireless station is thereby reduced.

主权项

1. A method of operating a wireless device of a wireless network, said method being performed in said wireless device, said method comprising:
receiving a data unit from a second wireless device in said wireless network, a receiver of said wireless device being used to perform said receiving; storing said data unit in a memory comprised in said wireless device; determining, at a first time instance, if a current storage level in said memory is greater than a first threshold; and if said determining determines that said current storage level is greater than said first threshold, then:
setting said receiver in power savings mode;consuming data units in said local memory until said current storage level is lower than a second threshold; andmaintaining said receiver in said power savings mode until said current storage level is lower than said second threshold.