Abstract: A device previously configured as a registrar and that has established an independent ad-hoc network is automatically discovered by another device also previously configured as a registrar. To form an ad-hoc wireless network between these two devices, each device periodically enters a scanning mode to scan for and intercept beacons transmitted by the other device. Upon such interception, one of the devices becomes an enrollee in accordance with a predefined condition and in response to a user selected option. Subsequently, the enrollee modifies its beacons to include an attribute, such as the MAC address, associated with the other device. After intercepting the modified beacon, the remaining registrar prompts it user to decide whether to allow the enrollee to join the registrar's network. If the user responds affirmatively, a handshake is performed between the two devices and a subsequent attempt is made by the enrollee to join the registrar's network.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for service discovery. The method includes receiving a first service advertisement by a first device. The first service advertisement includes at least a service of a second device. Further, the method include updating a service directory of the first device to include the service of the second device, and transmitting a second service advertisement by the first device. The second service advertisement includes at least the service of the second device, and can be used by a third device to effect use of the service of the second device.

Abstract: A client network device includes a physical-layer device, a parameter module, an adjusting module, and a power management module. The physical-layer device, during each client traffic window that occur within a predetermined period, (i) transmits, over a network, a request signal from the client network device to discover other network devices in the network, and (ii) receives, from one or more of the other network devices, corresponding responses to the request signal. The parameter module monitors a first parameter of the client network device. The adjusting module adjusts a second parameter based on the first parameter. The second parameter indicates a number of the client traffic windows to occur within the predetermined period. The power management module transitions the client network device from an active mode to a sleep mode between consecutive ones of the number of the client traffic windows that occur within the predetermined period.

Abstract: In response to determining that a Bluetooth inquiry phase or a Bluetooth paging phase is beginning, a power save (PS) mode signal is sent from a first device to a second device via a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication link, wherein the PS mode signal indicates that the first device is in a WLAN PS mode. A PS poll signal is sent from the first device to the second device via the WLAN communication link in a gap between Bluetooth inquiry phase message transmissions during the Bluetooth inquiry phase or between Bluetooth paging phase message transmissions during the Bluetooth paging phase.

Abstract: A network interface including a radio frequency system with a component configured for communication with an access point. First, second and third client modules communicate with the access point according to respective wireless communication standards. The first, second and third client modules share the component, such that during respective periods the first, second and third client modules communicate with the access point via the component. The first client module transmits a request signal to the second client module while the second client module is in an idle state and the third client module is in an active state. The request signal requests access to the component. The third client module, in response to the request signal, aborts transmitting of first data to the access point and transmits an acknowledgement signal. The first client module transmits to or receives from the access point second data based on the acknowledgement signal.

Abstract: An access point including a beacon module that determines a beacon interval and that defines a first portion and a second portion of the beacon interval during which the access point operates in a normal mode and a power save mode, respectively. On receiving a communication from a client station during the first portion, a control module does not transition the access point from the normal mode to the power save mode at an end of the first portion. If the communication is not received during the first portion, the control module transitions the access point from the normal mode to the power save mode at the end of the first portion and from the power save mode to the normal mode at an end of the second portion. A duration of the second portion is less than a scan time of the client station.

Abstract: A first network device including a control module to operate the first network device, prior to beginning discovery of a second network device, initially in a power save mode and subsequently in a normal mode after receiving an input from a user of the first network device while operating in the power save mode; and prior to beginning the discovery and subsequent to the first network device switching from operating in the power save mode to the normal mode, to alternately operate the first network device as a client station and an access point. A device detection module begins, subsequent to the first network device switching from operating in the power save mode to the normal mode, the discovery by scanning a network or by transmitting a beacon over the network when the first network device operates as a client station or an the access point, respectively.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling transmit power amplification in a wireless transmitting device. A processor receives data to determine whether a communication channel from a transmitting device to a receiving device is strong enough to support a target data transmit rate of the devices with a power amplifier either on or off. The processor controls a switching device between a data transmitter circuit and the transmitter's antenna based on the quality of the communication channel. In a first state, the switching device connects the data transmitter circuit to the power amplifier to increase the strength of the signal communicated to the antenna. In a second state, the switching device bypasses the power amplifier. The power amplifier is turned off when the switch is in the second state, thereby decreasing the power consumed by the transmitting device as it transmits data at the target data transmit rate.

Abstract: A network interface including a radio frequency (RF) system and a media access controller (MAC). The RF system wirelessly communicates with an access point (AP). The MAC includes client modules. A first client module transmits a first signal from a host to the AP via the RF system in accordance with a first wireless communication standard. A second client module transmits a second signal from the host to the AP via the RF system in accordance with a second wireless communication standard. The second client module determines a quality level of the second signal transmitted from the second client module to the AP, and based on the quality level of the second signal, hands off access to the RF system from the second client module to the first client module to allow the first client module to transmit the first signal to the AP via the RF system.

Abstract: An access point includes a beacon module and a control module. The access point transmits a beacon during a beacon interval. The beacon module determines a first portion of the beacon interval and a second portion of the beacon interval. The access point operates in a normal mode during the first portion of the beacon interval. The control module operates the access point in a power save mode during the second portion of the beacon interval. The control module operates the access point in the power save mode in response to a client station not communicating with the access point during the first portion of the beacon interval.

Abstract: In a peer-to-peer wireless communication network, a first device listens during an advertise state for polling signals from second devices on a first channel included in a plurality of channels. During the advertise state a response to a first polling signal transmitted by one of the second devices on the first channel is transmitted from the first device, if the first polling signal is received on the first channel during the advertise state. A second channel is selected at the first device from the plurality of channels for use during a search state of the first device. A second polling signal is transmitted with the first device, on the selected second channel during the search state. The first device listens during the search state for polling response signals on the selected second channel, the polling response signals responsive to the second polling signal.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for sharing power load in a network. The method includes identifying a first device to serve as an AP of the network in a next time interval, providing network information from a second device that presently serves as the AP to the first device. When the first device starts to serve as the AP of the network, the second device can be configured to enter into a power save state in order to reduce power consumption by the second device in the next time interval.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for switching transmission channels that include monitoring a number of packets within a transmitter buffer of a transmitter, determining that the number of packets within the transmitter buffer exceeds a pre-determined threshold, and changing a transmission channel used by the transmitter for transmission based at least upon the number of packets within the transmitter buffer exceeding a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling transmit power amplification in a wireless transmitting device. A processor receives data to determine whether a communication channel from a transmitting device to a receiving device is strong enough to support a target data transmit rate of the devices with a power amplifier either on or off. The processor controls a switching device between a data transmitter circuit and the transmitter's antenna based on the quality of the communication channel. In a first state, the switching device connects the data transmitter circuit to the power amplifier to increase the strength of the signal communicated to the antenna. In a second state, the switching device bypasses the power amplifier. The power amplifier is turned off when the switch is in the second state, thereby decreasing the power consumed by the transmitting device as it transmits data at the target data transmit rate.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for sharing power load in a network. The method includes identifying a first device to serve as an AP of the network in a next time interval, providing network information from a second device that presently serves as the AP to the first device. When the first device starts to serve as the AP of the network, the second device can be configured to enter into a power save state in order to reduce power consumption by the second device in the next time interval.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for decreasing the amount of power consumed by a data transmitter in a wireless device when transmitting media (audio and/or visual) data or other data received from a media source or other source. A transmission circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or WLAN chip, is configured to deactivate the data transmitter for a deactivation interval and aggregate the media data (or other consistent-rate data) in a buffer while the data transmitter is deactivated. At the end of the deactivation interval, the data transmitter is activated and the aggregated data packets are transmitted. The data transmitter may be repetitively deactivated and activated for transmitting the data. The deactivation interval may be based on the data sampling rate, the transmission rate of the data transmitter, the capacity of the buffer, and/or other factors.

Abstract: Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer programs comprise a communication circuit to establish an infrastructure mode wireless connection with a wireless client through a wireless access point, and to establish a direct link setup (DLS) mode wireless connection with the wireless client; and a control circuit to select either infrastructure mode or DLS mode for communication with the wireless client based on at least one characteristic of the infrastructure mode and DLS mode wireless connections; wherein the communication circuit exchanges frames of data with the wireless client using the selected mode.

Abstract: A network device of a peer-to-peer network includes a parameter monitoring module. The parameter monitoring module is configured to monitor a network device parameter of the network device. A client traffic window adjusting module is configured to adjust at least one of N client traffic window parameters based on the network device parameter. The N client traffic window parameters include at least one of: a length of a client traffic window; and a number of client traffic windows within a predetermined period. A physical layer device is configured to receive a discovery response signal from a peer-to-peer device during a period of the client traffic window.

Abstract: A wireless network device including a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) module, an error rate module, and an antenna selection module. The signal-to-noise ratio measures i) a first average SNR while utilizing a first antenna, and ii) a second average sNR while utilizing a second antenna. The error rate module measures i) a first error rate while utilizing the first antenna, and ii) a second error rate while utilizing the second antenna. The antenna selection module selects the first antenna or the second antenna based on i) a first comparison of the first average signal-to-noise ratio to the second average signal-to-noise ratio, and ii) a second comparison of the first error rate to the second error rate. The second comparison is selectively performed depending on the first comparison.

Abstract: A wireless device capable of matching a user with content based on the user's proximity to other users, by searching for a match between profiles of wireless devices within a wireless coverage area. Wireless devices broadcast profiles within a wireless coverage area. Other wireless devices within the wireless coverage area receive the broadcasted profiles, determine a match between the received profile and a profile stored on the wireless device, and display a match indicator if a match is determined. In this manner, a user having a wireless device may be matched with content based on the user's proximity to other users.