Power saving via variable listen intervals in a WLAN
A wireless client device is associated with an access point in an association having a value for a listen interval parameter. The wireless client device determines, according to predefined considerations, a different value for the listen interval parameter, and declares the different value for the listen interval parameter in a wireless transmission to the access point. The listen interval parameter specifies a number of beacon intervals that can pass from a time the wireless client device listens for a beacon frame from the access point before the wireless client device listens for a next beacon frame from the access point.
1. A method of increasing a power saving potential of a wireless client device that is associated with an access point in an association having a value for a listen interval parameter, the method comprising:
determining, according to predefined considerations, a different value for said listen interval parameter, wherein said predefined considerations comprise a charge level of a battery to power said wireless client device; and
declaring said different value for said listen interval parameter in a wireless transmission to said access point,
wherein said listen interval parameter specifies a number of beacon intervals that can pass from a time said wireless client device listens for a beacon frame from said access point before said wireless client device listens for a next beacon frame from said access point.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein declaring said different value comprises:
initiating a reassociation request to declare said different value for said listen interval parameter to said access point.
3. A wireless client device comprising:
a memory to store a value of a listen interval parameter that specifies a number of beacon intervals that can pass from a time said wireless client device listens for a beacon frame from an access point before said wireless client device listens for a next beacon frame from said access point;
a radio through which said device is associated with said access point in an association having said value for said listen interval parameter; and
a processor to determine, according to predefined considerations, a different value for said listen interval parameter and to declare said different value for said listen interval parameter to said access point via said radio, wherein said predefined considerations comprise a charge level of a battery to power said wireless client device.
4. The wireless client device of claim 3 , wherein the processor is arranged to initiate a reassociation request to declare said different value for said listen interval parameter to said access point.
5. The wireless client device of claim 3 , wherein said access point uses an IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network standard.
6. A wireless communications system comprising:
an access point; and
a wireless client device comprising:
a memory to store a value of a listen interval parameter that specifies a number of beacon intervals that can pass from a time said wireless client device listens for a beacon frame from said access point before said wireless client device listens for a next beacon frame from said access point;
a radio through which said device is associated with said access point in an association having said value for said listen interval parameter; and
a processor to determine, according to predefined considerations, a different value for said listen interval parameter and to declare said different value for said listen interval parameter to said access point via said radio, wherein said predefined considerations comprise a charge level of a battery to power said wireless client device.
7. The wireless communications system of claim 6 , wherein the processor is arranged to initiate a reassociation request to declare said different value for said listen interval parameter to said access point.
8. The wireless communications system of claim 6 , wherein said access point uses an IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network standard.
9. A memory comprising computer code, which when executed by a processor of a wireless client device that is associated with an access point in an association having a value for a listen interval parameter, results in the wireless client device:
determining, according to predefined considerations, a different value for said listen interval parameter, wherein said predefined considerations comprise a charge level of a battery to power said wireless client device; and
declaring said different value for said listen interval parameter in a wireless transmission to said access point,
wherein said listen interval parameter specifies a number of beacon intervals that can pass from a time said wireless client device listens for a beacon frame from said access point before said wireless client device listens for a next beacon frame from said access point.