Abstract: There is provided a protocol for a power save mode (PSM) in a direct link setup wireless network. In an aspect of the present invention, among first and second stations between which a direct link has been set up, the first station trying to enter the PSM transmits a request message, including schedule information necessary for communication with the second station, to the second station. The second station transmits a response message, including a status code indicating whether it accepts the schedule information or not, to the first station in response to the request message. If the status code indicates that the second station accepts the schedule information, the first station may transmit an MPDU whose power save bit is set to ‘1’ to the second station and then enter the PSM. However, if the status code indicates unacceptability, modified schedule information may be included in the response message.

Abstract: There is provided a protocol for a power save mode (PSM) in a direct link setup wireless network. In an aspect of the present invention, among first and second stations between which a direct link has been set up, the first station trying to enter the PSM transmits a request message, including schedule information necessary for communication with the second station, to the second station. The second station transmits a response message, including a status code indicating whether it accepts the schedule information or not, to the first station in response to the request message. If the status code indicates that the second station accepts the schedule information, the first station may transmit an MPDU whose power save bit is set to ‘1’ to the second station and then enter the PSM. However, if the status code indicates unacceptability, modified schedule information may be included in the response message.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing communications between first and second piconets is provided. It is determined whether superframes corresponding to the first and second piconets are synchronized according to respective beacon period start times from the detected beacons. When the superframes are not synchronized, a type of overlap is determined. The type of overlap includes 1) an overlap between beacon periods, 2) an overlap between reservation periods and 3) an overlap between beacon periods and reservation periods of the superframes. The first and second piconets are merged into a single piconet according to rules based on the determined type of overlap.