Abstract: Embodiments for performing a fast return to Wi-Fi following completion of a cellular voice call are provided. These embodiments include detecting that a device has switched from communicating over a Wi-Fi interface to communicating over a cellular interface; determining the earliest time that the device can switch back to Wi-Fi; and instituting the switch. In some embodiments, the process of performing a fast return to Wi-Fi is carried out by devices having small form factors, such as smartwatches and other wearables, which may be susceptible to coexistence and peak power problems. The fast return to Wi-Fi embodiments disclosed herein allow a device to perform a voice call over a cellular interface when Wi-Fi calling is not available, and switch over to a Wi-Fi interface immediately upon completion of the voice call in order to conserve battery life, achieve higher data speeds, and avoid high costs associated with cellular data transmissions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for configuring wireless circuitry of a wireless device to optimize power consumption based on operating states of the wireless device are disclosed. When associating with or while associated with a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) capable wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP), the wireless device configures the wireless circuitry to use a MIMO mode that includes at least two spatial streams for communication with multiple radio frequency (RF) receive chains active, a single-input single-output (SISO) mode or a multiple-input single-output (MISO) mode that includes only one spatial stream and a single RF receive chain active, or a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) mode that includes only one spatial stream and multiple RF receive chains active, based on balancing application requirements for data throughput with power saving modes to conserve battery levels. MIMO modes can be used when an active application benefits from MIMO rates or when transferring large files.

Abstract: A method, station and computer readable storage medium used to perform opportunistic roaming procedures. A station joined to a basic service set (BSS) of an access point (AP) performs a method including determining a roam profile for the station, the roam profile indicating at least one of available operating bands or available APs for the station, determining a first value associated with a network parameter of the joined AP, determining at least one roam candidate AP having a second value associated with the network parameter corresponding to the roam candidate AP, wherein the first and second values are a received signal strength indicator, determining whether a predetermined criteria value is satisfied based upon the first and second values, wherein the predetermined criteria value is a minimum difference between the first value and second value and roaming to the roam candidate AP when the predetermined criteria value is satisfied.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for configuring wireless circuitry of a wireless communication device associated with a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) to use a reduced power consumption mode are disclosed. While associated with a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) WLAN AP and operating in a MIMO mode that includes at least two spatial streams for communication with multiple radio frequency (RF) receive chains active, the wireless communication device transmits a message indicating a request to use a spatial multiplexing power save (SMPS) mode that supports only one spatial stream and requires only a single active RF receive chain. The wireless communication device monitors packets received from the WLAN AP after a guard interval following the request and only switches to the SMPS mode when all packets received after the guard interval use only one spatial stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for adaptive WiFi roaming, where an electronic device and an access point advertise their networking capability. The networking capability may be, for example, the capability to support at least one enterprise feature. Based on the advertisements transmitted by the electronic device, the access point can determine that the electronic device can support the at least one enterprise feature and may selectively enable the at least one enterprise feature. Additionally, based on advertisements transmitted by the access point, the electronic device can determine that the access point can support the at least one enterprise feature. Based on this mutual determination, the access point and electronic device may continue an association process based on the at least one enterprise feature.

Abstract: A method, station and computer readable storage medium used to perform a roaming procedure. The method performed by the station including determining whether a roam is to be performed, the station being associated with a first access point (AP), receiving network related information for at least one second AP, determining a score value for each of the at least one second AP based upon the network related information, the score value being either a quantitative score calculated as a function of a respective received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value and a respective load value or a qualitative score calculated as a function of a preference value and the RSSI value, selecting one of the at least one second AP based upon the score values and roaming from the first AP to the selected one of the at least one second AP.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a technique for enabling a wireless device to operate in a power saving mode without completely cutting off the wireless device from receiving outside communications. The technique includes, at an access point (AP), generating traffic indication map (TIM) information that indicates whether downlink data directed to the wireless device is buffered at the AP. The AP precedes a beacon frame with at least one “lightweight” traffic indication map (TIM) frame that includes the TIM information, which is a subset of the information that is included in the beacon frame. The AP can be configured to transmit the TIM broadcast frame, the beacon frame, and any other frames that include the TIM information during a single transmit opportunity to reduce the number of instances where the wireless device is required to transition from an idle state to a listen state.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for configuring wireless circuitry of a wireless device to optimize power consumption based on operating states of the wireless device are disclosed. When associating with or while associated with a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) capable wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP), the wireless device configures the wireless circuitry to use a MIMO mode that includes at least two spatial streams for communication with multiple radio frequency (RF) receive chains active, a single-input single-output (SISO) mode or a multiple-input single-output (MISO) mode that includes only one spatial stream and a single RF receive chain active, or a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) mode that includes only one spatial stream and multiple RF receive chains active, based on balancing application requirements for data throughput with power saving modes to conserve battery levels. MIMO modes can be used when an active application benefits from MIMO rates or when transferring large files.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for configuring wireless circuitry of a wireless communication device associated with a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) to use a reduced power consumption mode are disclosed. While associated with a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) WLAN AP and operating in a MIMO mode that includes at least two spatial streams for communication with multiple radio frequency (RF) receive chains active, the wireless communication device transmits a message indicating a request to use a spatial multiplexing power save (SMPS) mode that supports only one spatial stream and requires only a single active RF receive chain. The wireless communication device monitors packets received from the WLAN AP after a guard interval following the request and only switches to the SMPS mode when all packets received after the guard interval use only one spatial stream.

Abstract: A method, station and computer readable storage medium used to perform a roaming procedure. The method performed by the station including determining whether a roam is to be performed, the station being associated with a first access point (AP), receiving network related information for at least one second AP, determining a score value for each of the at least one second AP based upon the network related information, the score value being either a quantitative score calculated as a function of a respective received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value and a respective load value or a qualitative score calculated as a function of a preference value and the RSSI value, selecting one of the at least one second AP based upon the score values and roaming from the first AP to the selected one of the at least one second AP.

Abstract: A method, station and computer readable storage medium used to perform opportunistic roaming procedures. A station joined to a basic service set (BSS) of an access point (AP) performs a method including determining a roam profile for the station, the roam profile indicating at least one of available operating bands or available APs for the station, determining a first value associated with a network parameter of the joined AP, determining at least one roam candidate AP having a second value associated with the network parameter corresponding to the roam candidate AP, wherein the first and second values are a received signal strength indicator, determining whether a predetermined criteria value is satisfied based upon the first and second values, wherein the predetermined criteria value is a minimum difference between the first value and second value and roaming to the roam candidate AP when the predetermined criteria value is satisfied.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a technique for enabling a wireless device to operate in a power saving mode without completely cutting off the wireless device from receiving outside communications. The technique includes, at an access point (AP), generating traffic indication map (TIM) information that indicates whether downlink data directed to the wireless device is buffered at the AP. The AP precedes a beacon frame with at least one “lightweight” traffic indication map (TIM) frame that includes the TIM information, which is a subset of the information that is included in the beacon frame. The AP can be configured to transmit the TIM broadcast frame, the beacon frame, and any other frames that include the TIM information during a single transmit opportunity to reduce the number of instances where the wireless device is required to transition from an idle state to a listen state.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system configured to apply Internet Protocol (IP) address based packet filtering prior to entering Wake on Wireless LAN (WoWLAN) mode. During operation, the system receives a request to enter WoWLAN mode. In response to this request, the system collects a set of active IP addresses, as well as a set of active ports. Next, the system filters out packets destined to IP addresses that are not members of the set of active IP addresses, and ports that are not members of the set of active ports. Finally, the system enters WoWLAN mode.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments facilitate location awareness in mobile computing devices while also reducing power consumption. A baseband processor performs background scanning of wireless networks, tracking the status of surrounding wireless networks while a primary application processor operates in a lower-power sleep state. Upon detecting a wireless network of interest, the baseband processor notifies (and wakes up) the application processor. The baseband processor can also be configured to track a subset of the wireless networks detected from previous scans to facilitate trajectory tracing.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates offloading neighbor discovery from a host prior to the host entering Wake on Wireless LAN (WoWLAN) mode. During operation, the system receives a request from a host executing on the processor to enter WoWLAN mode. Next, the system collects a set of active IP addresses on the host. The system then places the apparatus in WoWLAN mode. Next, the system receives neighbor discovery requests from IP addresses external to the host at a networking chip external to the processor. The system then responds to the neighbor discovery requests from the networking chip on behalf of the host and without waking the host from WoWLAN mode for requests destined to IP addresses that are members of the set of active IP addresses. Finally, the system also prevents, at the networking chip, the neighbor discovery requests from waking the host.