Apparatus, system, and method of channel switching

Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, devices, systems and methods of channel switching. For example, an apparatus may include logic and circuitry configured to cause a wireless communication station to transmit a power save mode indication to an Access Point (AP) over a first wireless communication channel; to wait over the first wireless communication channel for a waiting period subsequent to transmission of the power save mode indication; to switch to a second wireless communication channel after the waiting period; and to adjust a duration of the waiting period based on reception of one or more frames from the AP during the waiting period.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to channel switching.

BACKGROUND

A wireless communication device may communicate with an Access Point (AP) over a first wireless communication channel, for example, to communicate data between the device and the AP.

The wireless communication device may switch from the first wireless communication channel to a second wireless communication channel, for example, to communicate with a peer to peer (P2P) device, which operates over the second wireless communication channel, e.g., to communicate data with the P2P device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 standards (including IEEE 802.11-2016 (IEEE 802.11-2016, IEEE Standard for Information technology—Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements, Part11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control(MAC)and Physical Layer(PHY)Specifications, Dec. 7, 2016)) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing Wireless-Gigabit-Alliance (WGA) specifications (Wireless Gigabit Alliance, Inc WiGig MAC and PHY SpecificationVersion 1.1, April 2011, Final specification) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing WiFi Alliance (WFA) Peer-to-Peer (P2P) specifications (WiFi P2P technical specification, version 1.5, August 2014) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing cellular specifications and/or protocols, e.g., 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or devices which are part of the above networks, and the like.

The term “communicating” as used herein with respect to a communication signal includes transmitting the communication signal and/or receiving the communication signal. For example, a communication unit, which is capable of communicating a communication signal, may include a transmitter to transmit the communication signal to at least one other communication unit, and/or a communication receiver to receive the communication signal from at least one other communication unit. The verb communicating may be used to refer to the action of transmitting or the action of receiving. In one example, the phrase “communicating a signal” may refer to the action of transmitting the signal by a first device, and may not necessarily include the action of receiving the signal by a second device. In another example, the phrase “communicating a signal” may refer to the action of receiving the signal by a first device, and may not necessarily include the action of transmitting the signal by a second device.

Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a WLAN, e.g., a WiFi network. Other embodiments may be used in conjunction with any other suitable wireless communication network, for example, a wireless area network, a “piconet”, a WPAN, a WVAN and the like.

Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network communicating over a frequency band of 2.4 or 5 Gigahertz (GHz). However, other embodiments may be implemented utilizing any other suitable wireless communication frequency bands, for example, a 60 GHz band, a millimeterWave (mmWave) frequency band, a Sub 1 GHz (S1G) frequency band, a WLAN frequency band, a WPAN frequency band, and the like.

Reference is made toFIG. 1, which schematically illustrates a system100, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

As shown inFIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, system100may include one or more wireless communication devices. For example, system100may include a wireless communication device102and/or at least one wireless communication device140.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may include a mobile device or a non-mobile, e.g., a static, device.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may include, for example, one or more of a processor191, an input unit192, an output unit193, a memory unit194, and/or a storage unit195. Device102may optionally include other suitable hardware components and/or software components. In some demonstrative embodiments, some or all of the components of device102may be enclosed in a common housing or packaging, and may be interconnected or operably associated using one or more wired or wireless links. In other embodiments, components of device102may be distributed among multiple or separate devices.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may include and/or perform the functionality of one or more STAs. For example, device102may include at least one STA.

In one example, a station (STA) may include a logical entity that is a singly addressable instance of a medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) interface to the wireless medium (WM). The STA may perform any other additional or alternative functionality.

In other embodiments, device102may operate as and/or perform one or more functionalities of any other wireless device and/or station, e.g., a WLAN STA, a WiFi STA, and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device140may include an Access point (AP) STA.

In one example, an AP STA may include an entity that contains a station (STA), e.g., one STA, and provides access to distribution services, via the wireless medium (WM) for associated STAs. The AP may perform any other additional or alternative functionality.

In one example, a non-access-point (non-AP) station (STA) may include a STA that is not contained within an AP. The non-AP STA may perform any other additional or alternative functionality.

In other embodiments, device102may operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of, any other additional or alternative device and/or station.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication device102may be capable of communicating content, data, information and/or signals via a wireless medium (WM)103, for example, with device140. In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless medium103may include, for example, a radio channel, a cellular channel, an RF channel, a WiFi channel, an IR channel, a Bluetooth (BT) channel, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Channel, and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may include one or more radios including circuitry and/or logic to perform wireless communication between devices102and/or one or more other wireless communication devices. For example, device102may include at least one radio114.

In some demonstrative embodiments, radio114may include one or more wireless receivers (Rx) including circuitry and/or logic to receive wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and/or data. For example, radio114may include at least one receiver116.

In some demonstrative embodiments, radio114may include one or more wireless transmitters (Tx) including circuitry and/or logic to transmit wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and/or data. For example, radio114may include at least one transmitter118.

In some demonstrative embodiments, radio114may be configured to communicate over a 2.4 GHz band, a 5 GHz band, a directional band, for example, an mmWave band, a S1G band, a cellular band, an LTE band, and/or any other band.

In some demonstrative embodiments, radio114may include, or may be associated with, one or more antennas107.

In one example, device102may include a single antenna107. In another example, device102may include two or more antennas107.

Antennas107may include any type of antennas suitable for transmitting and/or receiving wireless communication signals, blocks, frames, transmission streams, packets, messages and/or data. For example, Antennas107may include any suitable configuration, structure and/or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays. Antennas107may include, for example, antennas suitable for directional communication, e.g., using beamforming techniques. For example, Antennas107may include a phased array antenna, a multiple element antenna, a set of switched beam antennas, and/or the like. In some embodiments, Antennas107may implement transmit and receive functionalities using separate transmit and receive antenna elements. In some embodiments, Antennas107may implement transmit and receive functionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receive elements.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may include a controller124configured to perform one or more communications, to generate and/or communicate one or more messages and/or transmissions, and/or to perform one or more functionalities, operations and/or procedures between device102and AP140and/or one or more other devices, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller124may include, or may be implemented, partially or entirely, by circuitry and/or logic, e.g., one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, Media-Access Control (MAC) circuitry and/or logic, Physical Layer (PHY) circuitry and/or logic, baseband (BB) circuitry and/or logic, a BB processor, a BB memory, Application Processor (AP) circuitry and/or logic, an AP processor, an AP memory, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, configured to perform the functionality of controller124. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities of controller124may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as described below.

In one example, controller124may include circuitry and/or logic, for example, one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, to cause, trigger and/or control a wireless device, e.g., device102, and/or a wireless station, e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device102, to perform one or more operations, communications and/or functionalities, e.g., as described herein.

In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of controller124may be implemented as part of one or more elements of radio114. In other embodiments, the functionality of controller124may be implemented as part of any other element of device102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may include a message processor128configured to generate, process and/or access one or messages communicated by device102.

In one example, message processor128may be configured to generate one or more messages to be transmitted by device102, and/or message processor128may be configured to access and/or to process one or more messages received by device102, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, message processor128may include, or may be implemented, partially or entirely, by circuitry and/or logic, e.g., one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, Media-Access Control (MAC) circuitry and/or logic, Physical Layer (PHY) circuitry and/or logic, BB circuitry and/or logic, a BB processor, a BB memory, AP circuitry and/or logic, an AP processor, an AP memory, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, configured to perform the functionality of message processor128. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities of message processor128may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of message processor128may be implemented as part of radio114. In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of message processor128may be implemented as part of controller124. In other embodiments, the functionality of message processor128may be implemented as part of any other element of device102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of controller124and/or message processor128may be implemented by an integrated circuit, for example, a chip, e.g., a System on Chip (SoC). In one example, the chip or SoC may be configured to perform one or more functionalities of radio114. For example, the chip or SoC may include one or more elements of controller124, one or more elements of message processor128, and/or one or more elements of radio114. In one example, controller124, message processor128, and radio114may be implemented as part of the chip or SoC.

In other embodiments, controller124, message processor128and/or radio114may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elements of device102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may be configured to communicate over a plurality of channels (“multi channel operation”), for example, via a single RF chain, e.g., of radio114.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may be configured to switch between channels of the plurality of channels according a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) scheme.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may communicate with an AP, e.g., device140, over a first wireless communication channel, for example, to communicate data between device102and the AP over an AP connection.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may switch from the first wireless communication channel to a second wireless communication channel, for example, to switch to communicate with another device, for example, a P2P device, e.g., a STA, an AP, or the like, over a P2P connection in the second wireless communication channel, e.g., to communicate data with the other device.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may be configured to utilize one or more power save mechanisms, for example, when switching from the first wireless communication channel to the second wireless communication channel, for example, in order to notify the AP that device102may be absent from the first wireless communication channel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may be configured to send to the AP e.g., device140, an indication of a power save mode of device102, for example, prior to switching from the first wireless communication channel to the second wireless communication channel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, in some use, cases, scenarios and/or deployments, it may not be advantageous to allow device102to leave the first wireless communication channel, for example, immediately after sending the indication of the power save mode to the AP, as described below.

In one example, allowing device102to leave the first wireless communication channel, for example, immediately after sending the indication of the power save mode to AP140, may result in significant decrease in throughput (TPT), e.g., to a very low TPT, for example, in an inbound traffic scenario. For example, although an AP, e.g., a “leaky AP”, which may receive the frame indicating the power save mode, may acknowledge the frame, it may take some time until the AP actually process the power save mode. During this time, the AP may still continue to send frames to device102, e.g., to clear queues of the AP. As a result, a communication rate with the AP, overall TPT and/or channel capacity may decrease.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may be configured to implement a waiting period (also referred to as “grace period”), for example, to wait on the first wireless communication channel, for example, even after notifying the AP that device102may be absent from the first wireless communication channel, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the waiting period may allow the AP to clear any queues of the AP for device102, and to send one or more remaining frames to device102, for example, before device102switches from the first wireless communication channel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, it may be not be advantageous to implement a static or constant waiting period, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, a waiting period, which may result in device102leaving the first wireless communication channel too early, e.g., before the AP is able to properly process the power save notification and/or clear out queues for device102, may result in reduced communication rates, overall TPT and/or channel capacity, and/or a performance of device102may be very low.

In some demonstrative embodiments, a waiting period, which may result in device102waiting too long on the first wireless communication channel, e.g., longer than the time required for the AP to properly process the power save notification and/or clear out queues for device102, may result in reduced performance.

In one example, device140may include an AP (“well behaved AP”) that is able to properly process the power save notification and/or to refrain from sending frames to a device right after receiving the power save notification from the device. According to this example, device102may lose airtime, for example, if device102is to wait a long time for buffered frames from the AP, e.g., which may not arrive. As a result, a number of channel switches of device102may be limited according to a required TPT, and a latency of a different channel solution may be confined, for example, according to the number of channel switches.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may be configured to adjust a duration of the waiting period, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may implement a learning algorithm, for example, to adapt the duration of the waiting period, for example, to enable interoperability with different APs from different vendors, and/or at different environment conditions, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the learning algorithm may be configured to adjust a duration of the waiting period, for example, based on statistics of one or more previous channel switches, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, for example, device102may be configured to decrease the waiting period, e.g., even to zero, for example, when AP140is a “well behaved AP”, e.g., an AP that buffers all frames for a device immediately after acknowledging a frame from device102with the power save bit enabled, e.g., as described below. According to this example, device102may not lose any air-time, for example, due to channel switches, and/or may be allowed to perform more channel switches, e.g., at a given period, which may allow lower latency with very low impact on channel capacity.

In some demonstrative embodiments, for example, device102may be configured to increase the waiting period, for example, when AP140is a “leaky AP”, e.g., an AP that continues to send frames for device102even after acknowledging the frame with the power save bit enabled. For example, device102may be configured to extend the waiting period, e.g., to accommodate for a time required to receive the frames, for example, in a high Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS), e.g., as described below. According to this example, device102may increase the duration of the waiting period, which may enable an overall TPT to remain high, e.g., since rates for inbound traffic from the leaky AP may be able to remain at a required level.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device102may be configured to adjust the duration of the waiting period, for example, which may be used by device102, for waiting on first wireless communication channel, e.g., prior to switching to a second wireless communication channel, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller124may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device102to transmit a power save mode indication to an Access Point (AP), e.g., device140, over a first wireless communication channel, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the power save mode indication may include a Non-Data Packet (NDP) having a Power Management (PM) bit to indicate a power save mode of device102, e.g., as described below.

In other embodiments, the power save mode indication may include any other packet, message, and/or field, to indicate a power save mode.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller124may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device102to wait over the first wireless communication channel for a waiting period subsequent to transmission of the power save mode indication, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller124may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device102to switch to a second wireless communication channel after the waiting period, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller124may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device102to adjust a duration of the waiting period, for example, based on reception of one or more frames from the AP140during the waiting period, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller124may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device102to decrease the duration of the waiting period when no frame from the AP140is received during the waiting period.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller124may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device102to increase the duration of the waiting period when at least one frame is received from the AP140during the waiting time period, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller124may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device102to adjust the duration of the waiting period, for example, based on a criterion corresponding to a time of arrival of at least one frame from the AP140during the waiting period, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller124may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device102to adjust the duration of the waiting period, for example, based on whether at least one frame from the AP140is received during a time window beginning within the waiting period and ending at an end of the waiting period, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller124may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device102to increase the duration of the waiting period for example, when the at least one frame from the AP140is received during the time window, e.g., as described below.

In one example, the time window may begin 1 millisecond (ms) before the end of the waiting period and may end at the end of the waiting period. According to this example, device102may increase the duration of the waiting period, for example, when at least one frame from device140is received less than 1 ms before the end of the waiting period.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller124may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device102to decrease the duration of the waiting period for example, when no frame from the AP is received during the time window, e.g., as described below.

In one example, the time window may begin 2 ms before the end of the waiting period and may end at the end of the waiting period. According to this example, device102may decrease the duration of the waiting period for example, when no frame from device140is received within 2 ms before the end of the waiting period.

In other embodiments, the time window may have any other duration.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller124may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device102to increase the duration of the waiting period for example, when at least one frame from the AP is received during a first time window, controller124may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device102to decrease the duration of the waiting period for example, when no frame is received from the AP during a second time window, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the first time window may begin at a first time within the waiting period and may end at an end of the waiting period, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the second time window may begin at a second time within the waiting window and may end at the end of the waiting period, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the second time may be before the first time, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller124may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device102to maintain the duration of the waiting period, for example, when a last frame from the AP is received in a third time window between the first time and the second time, e.g., as described below.

In one example, the first time window may be between 1 ms before the end of the waiting period and the end of the waiting period, the second time window may be between 2 ms before the end of the waiting period and the end of the waiting period, and/or the third time window may be between 2 ms before the end of the waiting period and 1 ms before the end of the waiting period. According to this example, device102may increase the duration of the waiting period, e.g., if device102receives from device140a frame during the last 1 ms of the waiting period; device102may decrease the duration of the waiting period, e.g., if device102does not receive from device140any frame during the last 2 ms of the waiting window; and/or device102may maintain the duration of the waiting period, e.g., if device102receives a last frame from device140in the period between 2 ms and 1 ms before the end of the waiting period.

In another example, the first second and third time windows may include any other time windows within the waiting period.

In other embodiments, any other additional or alternative number and/or arrangement of time windows with any other duration and/or timing may be implemented.

In some demonstrative embodiments, in one implementation, for example, device102may communicate with a “leaky” AP140, for example, while operating at a dual channel mode, e.g., to communicate with AP140over a first channel, and to switch to a second channel to communicate with another device. In one example, implementing the grace period mechanism, e.g., as described above, may enable device102to maintain a desired level of TPT, for example, as device102may be able to properly acknowledge some or even all frames from the leaky AP, e.g., even after sending the power save message to the “leaky” AP.

In some demonstrative embodiments, in one implementation, for example, device102may communicate with a “well behaved” AP140, for example, while operating at a dual channel mode, e.g., to communicate with AP140over a first channel, and to switch to a second channel to communicate with another device. In one example, implementing the grace period mechanism, e.g., as described above, may enable device102to maintain a high level of TPT over both channels, for example, with a reduced, e.g., minimal, time difference, for example, due to adjusting the grace period to a reduced or even minimal duration.

Reference is made toFIG. 2, which schematically illustrates a channel-switching scheme200, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. In one example, device102(FIG. 1) may be configured to perform one or more operations and/or communications in accordance with channel-switching scheme200, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown inFIG. 2, a STA, e.g., device102(FIG. 1), may switch between a first wireless communication channel, denoted Channel1, and a second wireless communication channel, denoted Channel2. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, the STA may communicate over the first wireless communication channel during a period202, and may switch to communicate over the second wireless communication channel during a time period204.

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown inFIG. 2, during a time period206, while operating on the first wireless communication channel, the STA may send to an AP, e.g., device140(FIG. 1), a transmission of an NDP with the PM bit set to one, e.g., to indicate to the AP a power save mode of the STA. As shown inFIG. 2, the period206may end, for example, when the STA receives an acknowledge (ack) frame from the AP.

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown inFIG. 2, the STA may be configured to remain on the first wireless communication channel for a waiting period208(“grace period”), e.g., between the reception of the ack frame from the AP, and a time to before starting a tuning procedure (210) to switch to the second wireless communication channel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, during waiting period208the STA may wait on the first wireless communication channel, for example, to receive frames buffered at the AP.

In some demonstrative embodiments, waiting period208may include a time window configured to enable the STA to receive one or more buffered frames from the AP, for example, after the transmission of the NDP.

In some demonstrative embodiments, waiting period208may enable the buffered frames to be received by the STA. For example, the buffered frames may “leak”, for example, if device102is to switch to the second wireless communication channel, e.g., immediately after sending the NDP to the AP, while the AP may transmit the buffered frames over first wireless communication channel even after acknowledging the NDP.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the STA, e.g., device102(FIG. 1) may be configured to dynamically adjust a duration of waiting period208, for example, based on whether or not frames are actually received from the AP during one or more time windows in the waiting period208, e.g., as described below.

In one example, although the AP is not supposed to transmit any frame after reception of the NDP, many AP implementations, e.g., low-cost implementations, de-facto transmit frames after the reception of the NDP. Adjusting the waiting period208may enable the STA to adapt its waiting period to a behavior of the AP.

Reference is made toFIG. 3, which schematically illustrates a method of adjusting the duration of a waiting period, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For example, one or more of the operations of the method ofFIG. 3may be performed by one or more elements of a system, e.g., system100(FIG. 1), for example, one or more wireless devices, e.g., device102(FIG. 1); a controller, e.g., controller124(FIG. 1); and/or a message processor, e.g., message processor128(FIG. 1), for example, to dynamically adjust a waiting period, e.g., grace period208(FIG. 2), based on receipt of frames from an AP, e.g., device140(FIG. 1), for example, after sending the power save notification to the AP.

As indicated at block302, the method may include setting by a wireless device an initial duration of a waiting period (“grace period”), which may be dynamically adjusted.

As indicated at block304, the method may include waiting until a predefined time, e.g., the last 1 ms, before the end of the waiting period.

As indicated at block306, the method may include monitoring a time of arrival of one or more frames from the AP and adjusting the grace period based on the time of arrival, e.g., as described below.

As indicated at block308, the method may include increasing the grace period by a first duration, e.g., 2 ms, for example, if a frame from the AP arrives at the wireless device during a first time window within the grace period, e.g., the last 1 ms of the grace period.

As indicated at block310, the method may include maintaining the duration of the grace period, for example, if a last frame from the AP arrives at the wireless device during a second time window within the grace period, e.g., between the last 1 ms and the last 2 ms of the grace period.

As indicated at block312, the method may include decreasing the grace period by a second duration, e.g., 1 ms, for example, if no frame from the AP arrives at the wireless device during a third time window within the grace period, e.g., the last 2 ms of the grace period.

In other embodiments, any other number of time windows, and/or any other time window duration and/or arrangement may be used.

Reference is made toFIG. 4, which schematically illustrates a method of channel switching, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For example, one or more of the operations of the method ofFIG. 4may be performed by one or more elements of a system, e.g., system100(FIG. 1), for example, one or more wireless devices, e.g., device102(FIG. 1); a controller, e.g., controller124(FIG. 1); and/or a message processor, e.g., message processor128(FIG. 1).

As indicated at block402, the method may include transmitting a power save mode indication to an AP over a first wireless communication channel. For example, controller124(FIG. 1) may control cause and/or trigger device102(FIG. 1) to transmit the power save mode indication to device140(FIG. 1) over the first wireless communication channel, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block404, the method may include waiting over the first wireless communication channel for a waiting period subsequent to transmission of the power save mode indication. For example, controller124(FIG. 1) may control cause and/or trigger device102(FIG. 1) to wait over the first wireless communication channel for the waiting period subsequent to the transmission of the power save mode indication, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block406, the method may include switching to a second wireless communication channel after the waiting period. For example, controller124(FIG. 1) may control cause and/or trigger device102(FIG. 1) to allow device102(FIG.1) to switch to the second wireless communication channel after the waiting period, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block408, the method may include adjusting a duration of the waiting period based on reception of one or more frames from the AP during the waiting period. For example, controller124(FIG. 1) may control cause and/or trigger device102(FIG. 1) to adjust the duration of the waiting period based on the reception of the one or more frames from device140(FIG. 1) during the waiting period, e.g., as described above.

Reference is made toFIG. 5, which schematically illustrates a product of manufacture500, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. Product500may include one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media502, which may include computer-executable instructions, e.g., implemented by logic504, operable to, when executed by at least one computer processor, enable the at least one computer processor to implement one or more operations at device102(FIG. 1), controller124(FIG. 1), radio114(FIG. 1), and/or message processor128(FIG. 1), to cause device102(FIG. 1), controller124(FIG. 1), radio114(FIG. 1), and/or message processor128(FIG. 1) to perform one or more operations, and/or to perform, trigger and/or implement one or more operations, communications and/or functionalities described above with reference toFIGS. 1, 2, 3, and/or4, and/or one or more operations described herein. The phrase “non-transitory machine-readable medium” is directed to include all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory propagating signal.

EXAMPLES

The following examples pertain to further embodiments.

Example 1 includes an apparatus comprising logic and circuitry configured to cause a wireless communication station to transmit a power save mode indication to an Access Point (AP) over a first wireless communication channel; wait over the first wireless communication channel for a waiting period subsequent to transmission of the power save mode indication; switch to a second wireless communication channel after the waiting period; and adjust a duration of the waiting period based on reception of one or more frames from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the wireless communication station to adjust the duration of the waiting period based on a criterion corresponding to a time of arrival of at least one frame from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 3 includes the subject matter of Example 1 or 2, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the wireless communication station to adjust the duration of the waiting period based on whether at least one frame from the AP is received during a time window beginning within the waiting period and ending at an end of the waiting period.

Example 4 includes the subject matter of Example 3, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the wireless communication station to decrease the duration of the waiting period when no frame from the AP is received during the time window.

Example 5 includes the subject matter of Example 3, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the wireless communication station to increase the duration of the waiting period when the at least one frame from the AP is received during the time window.

Example 6 includes the subject matter of Example 1 or 2, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the wireless communication station to increase the duration of the waiting period when at least one frame from the AP is received during a first time window, and to decrease the duration of the waiting period when no frame is received from the AP during a second time window, the first time window is to begin at a first time within the waiting period and to end at an end of the waiting period, and the second time window is to begin at a second time within the waiting window and to end at the end of the waiting period.

Example 7 includes the subject matter of Example 6, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the wireless communication station to maintain the duration of the waiting period when a last frame from the AP is received in a third time window between the first time and the second time.

Example 8 includes the subject matter of Example 6 or 7, and optionally, wherein the second time is before the first time.

Example 9 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the wireless communication station to increase the duration of the waiting period when at least one frame is received from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 10 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the wireless communication station to decrease the duration of the waiting period when no frame is received from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 11 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-10, and optionally, wherein the indication comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP) having a Power Management (PM) bit to indicate a power save mode of the wireless communication station.

Example 12 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-11, and optionally, comprising a radio to transmit the indication.

Example 13 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-12, and optionally, comprising one or more antennas, a processor, and a memory.

Example 14 includes a system of wireless communication comprising a wireless communication station, the wireless communication station comprising one or more antennas; a radio; a memory; a processor; and a controller configured to cause the wireless communication station to transmit a power save mode indication to an Access Point (AP) over a first wireless communication channel; wait over the first wireless communication channel for a waiting period subsequent to transmission of the power save mode indication; switch to a second wireless communication channel after the waiting period; and adjust a duration of the waiting period based on reception of one or more frames from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 15 includes the subject matter of Example 14, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the wireless communication station to adjust the duration of the waiting period based on a criterion corresponding to a time of arrival of at least one frame from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 16 includes the subject matter of Example 14 or 15, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the wireless communication station to adjust the duration of the waiting period based on whether at least one frame from the AP is received during a time window beginning within the waiting period and ending at an end of the waiting period.

Example 17 includes the subject matter of Example 16, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the wireless communication station to decrease the duration of the waiting period when no frame from the AP is received during the time window.

Example 18 includes the subject matter of Example 16, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the wireless communication station to increase the duration of the waiting period when the at least one frame from the AP is received during the time window.

Example 19 includes the subject matter of Example 14 or 15, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the wireless communication station to increase the duration of the waiting period when at least one frame from the AP is received during a first time window, and to decrease the duration of the waiting period when no frame is received from the AP during a second time window, the first time window is to begin at a first time within the waiting period and to end at an end of the waiting period, and the second time window is to begin at a second time within the waiting window and to end at the end of the waiting period.

Example 20 includes the subject matter of Example 19, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the wireless communication station to maintain the duration of the waiting period when a last frame from the AP is received in a third time window between the first time and the second time.

Example 21 includes the subject matter of Example 19 or 20, and optionally, wherein the second time is before the first time.

Example 22 includes the subject matter of Example 14, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the wireless communication station to increase the duration of the waiting period when at least one frame is received from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 23 includes the subject matter of Example 14, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the wireless communication station to decrease the duration of the waiting period when no frame is received from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 24 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-23, and optionally, wherein the indication comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP) having a Power Management (PM) bit to indicate a power save mode of the wireless communication station.

Example 25 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-24, and optionally, wherein the radio is to transmit the indication.

Example 26 includes a method to be performed at a wireless communication station, the method comprising transmitting a power save mode indication to an Access Point (AP) over a first wireless communication channel; waiting over the first wireless communication channel for a waiting period subsequent to transmission of the power save mode indication; switching to a second wireless communication channel after the waiting period; and adjusting a duration of the waiting period based on reception of one or more frames from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 27 includes the subject matter of Example 26, and optionally, comprising adjusting the duration of the waiting period based on a criterion corresponding to a time of arrival of at least one frame from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 28 includes the subject matter of Example 26 or 27, and optionally, comprising adjusting the duration of the waiting period based on whether at least one frame from the AP is received during a time window beginning within the waiting period and ending at an end of the waiting period.

Example 29 includes the subject matter of Example 28, and optionally, comprising decreasing the duration of the waiting period when no frame from the AP is received during the time window.

Example 30 includes the subject matter of Example 28, and optionally, comprising increasing the duration of the waiting period when the at least one frame from the AP is received during the time window.

Example 31 includes the subject matter of Example 26 or 27, and optionally, comprising increasing the duration of the waiting period when at least one frame from the AP is received during a first time window, and decreasing the duration of the waiting period when no frame is received from the AP during a second time window, the first time window is to begin at a first time within the waiting period and to end at an end of the waiting period, and the second time window is to begin at a second time within the waiting window and to end at the end of the waiting period.

Example 32 includes the subject matter of Example 31, and optionally, comprising maintaining the duration of the waiting period when a last frame from the AP is received in a third time window between the first time and the second time.

Example 33 includes the subject matter of Example 31 or 32, and optionally, wherein the second time is before the first time.

Example 34 includes the subject matter of Example 26, and optionally, comprising increasing the duration of the waiting period when at least one frame is received from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 35 includes the subject matter of Example 26, and optionally, comprising decreasing the duration of the waiting period when no frame is received from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 36 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 26-35, and optionally, wherein the indication comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP) having a Power Management (PM) bit to indicate a power save mode of the wireless communication station.

Example 37 includes a product including one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media comprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at least one processor, enable the at least one processor to cause a wireless communication station to transmit a power save mode indication to an Access Point (AP) over a first wireless communication channel; wait over the first wireless communication channel for a waiting period subsequent to transmission of the power save mode indication; switch to a second wireless communication channel after the waiting period; and adjust a duration of the waiting period based on reception of one or more frames from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 38 includes the subject matter of Example 37, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the wireless communication station to adjust the duration of the waiting period based on a criterion corresponding to a time of arrival of at least one frame from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 39 includes the subject matter of Example 37 or 38, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the wireless communication station to adjust the duration of the waiting period based on whether at least one frame from the AP is received during a time window beginning within the waiting period and ending at an end of the waiting period.

Example 40 includes the subject matter of Example 39, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the wireless communication station to decrease the duration of the waiting period when no frame from the AP is received during the time window.

Example 41 includes the subject matter of Example 39, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the wireless communication station to increase the duration of the waiting period when the at least one frame from the AP is received during the time window.

Example 42 includes the subject matter of Example 37 or 38, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the wireless communication station to increase the duration of the waiting period when at least one frame from the AP is received during a first time window, and to decrease the duration of the waiting period when no frame is received from the AP during a second time window, the first time window is to begin at a first time within the waiting period and to end at an end of the waiting period, and the second time window is to begin at a second time within the waiting window and to end at the end of the waiting period.

Example 43 includes the subject matter of Example 42, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the wireless communication station to maintain the duration of the waiting period when a last frame from the AP is received in a third time window between the first time and the second time.

Example 44 includes the subject matter of Example 42 or 43, and optionally, wherein the second time is before the first time.

Example 45 includes the subject matter of Example 37, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the wireless communication station to increase the duration of the waiting period when at least one frame is received from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 46 includes the subject matter of Example 37, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the wireless communication station to decrease the duration of the waiting period when no frame is received from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 47 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 37-46, and optionally, wherein the indication comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP) having a Power Management (PM) bit to indicate a power save mode of the wireless communication station.

Example 48 includes an apparatus of wireless communication by a wireless communication station, the apparatus comprising means for transmitting a power save mode indication to an Access Point (AP) over a first wireless communication channel; means for waiting over the first wireless communication channel for a waiting period subsequent to transmission of the power save mode indication; means for switching to a second wireless communication channel after the waiting period; and means for adjusting a duration of the waiting period based on reception of one or more frames from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 49 includes the subject matter of Example 48, and optionally, comprising means for adjusting the duration of the waiting period based on a criterion corresponding to a time of arrival of at least one frame from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 50 includes the subject matter of Example 48 or 49, and optionally, comprising means for adjusting the duration of the waiting period based on whether at least one frame from the AP is received during a time window beginning within the waiting period and ending at an end of the waiting period.

Example 51 includes the subject matter of Example 50, and optionally, comprising means for decreasing the duration of the waiting period when no frame from the AP is received during the time window.

Example 52 includes the subject matter of Example 50, and optionally, comprising means for increasing the duration of the waiting period when the at least one frame from the AP is received during the time window.

Example 53 includes the subject matter of Example 48 or 49, and optionally, comprising means for increasing the duration of the waiting period when at least one frame from the AP is received during a first time window, and decreasing the duration of the waiting period when no frame is received from the AP during a second time window, the first time window is to begin at a first time within the waiting period and to end at an end of the waiting period, and the second time window is to begin at a second time within the waiting window and to end at the end of the waiting period.

Example 54 includes the subject matter of Example 53, and optionally, comprising means for maintaining the duration of the waiting period when a last frame from the AP is received in a third time window between the first time and the second time.

Example 55 includes the subject matter of Example 53 or 54, and optionally, wherein the second time is before the first time.

Example 56 includes the subject matter of Example 48, and optionally, comprising means for increasing the duration of the waiting period when at least one frame is received from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 57 includes the subject matter of Example 48, and optionally, comprising means for decreasing the duration of the waiting period when no frame is received from the AP during the waiting period.

Example 58 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 48-57, and optionally, wherein the indication comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP) having a Power Management (PM) bit to indicate a power save mode of the wireless communication station.