Patent Publication Number: US-8112074-B2

Title: Access point multi-level transmission power control supporting periodic high power level transmissions

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 as a continuation of the copending application entitled, ACCESS POINT MULTI-LEVEL TRANSMISSION POWER CONTROL SUPPORTING PERIODIC HIGH POWER LEVEL TRANSMISSIONS, having Ser. No. 11/429,559, filed on May 5, 2006. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to transmit power control of wireless communication devices within such wireless communication systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wireless communication systems are known to support wireless communications between wireless communication devices affiliated with the system. Such wireless communication systems range from national and/or international cellular telephone systems to point-to-point in-home wireless networks. Each type of wireless communication system is constructed, and hence operates, in accordance with one or more standards. Such wireless communication standards include, but are not limited to IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), wireless application protocols (WAP), local multi-point distribution services (LMDS), multi-channel multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), and/or variations thereof. 
     An IEEE 802.11 compliant wireless communication system includes a plurality of client devices (e.g., laptops, personal computers, personal digital assistants, etc., coupled to a station) that communicate over a wireless link with one or more access points. The transmitting device (e.g., a client device or access point) transmits at a fixed power level regardless of the distance between the transmitting device and a targeted device (e.g., station or access point). Typically, the closer the transmitting device is to the targeted device, the less error there will be in the reception of the transmitted signal. However, as is generally understood in the art, wireless transmissions may include some error and still provide an accurate transmission. Thus, transmitting at power levels that provide too few errors is energy inefficient. 
     As is also generally understood in the art, many wireless communications systems employ a carrier-sense multiple access (CSMA) protocol that allows multiple communication devices to share the same radio spectrum. Before a wireless communication device transmits, it “listens” to the wireless link to determine if the spectrum is in use by another station to avoid a potential data collision. At lower received power levels, this protocol can lead to a hidden terminal problem when two devices, generally spaced far apart, are both trying to communication with a third device in the middle. While the device in the middle can “hear” the two devices on the periphery, these two devices cannot hear one another—potentially creating data collisions with simultaneous transmissions destined for the middle device. 
     Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art through comparison of such systems with the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  presents a pictorial representation of a wireless network  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  presents a timing diagram of transmissions by the access point  110  and the client devices  121  and  123  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  presents a timing diagram of transmissions by the access point  110  and the client devices  121  and  123  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  presents a pictorial representation of a wireless network  10  that shows examples of client devices and various modes of connection between access points and packet switched backbone network  101  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  presents a block diagram representation of an access point  300  that can be used in wireless network  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  presents a block diagram representation of a client device  400  that can be used in wireless network  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  presents a block diagram representation of a client device  400 ′ with optional GPS circuitry  416  and power source regulation circuitry  420  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  presents a block diagram representation of an access point  300 ′ with optional AP assessment application  225  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  presents a pictorial representation of a wireless network  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention that provides a management application  225  in one of a plurality of terminals. 
         FIG. 10  presents a flowchart representation of a method that can be used in a terminal, access point and/or an integrated circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention sets forth a wireless network, access point, client device, integrated circuit and methods that determine transmission power parameters based on received characteristics substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims that follow. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  presents a pictorial representation of a wireless network  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A wireless network  10  includes an access point  110  that is coupled to packet switched backbone network  101 . The access point  110  manages communication flow destined for and originating from each of client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  over a wireless network  10 . Via the access point  110 , each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  can access service provider network  105  and Internet  103  to, for example, surf web-sites, download audio and/or video programming, send and receive messages such as text messages, voice message and multimedia messages, access broadcast, stored or streaming audio, video or other multimedia content, play games, send and receive telephone calls, and perform any other activities, provided directly by access point  110  or indirectly through packet switched backbone network  101 . 
     The access point  110  is capable of transmitting high power transmissions  99  and reduced power level transmissions  98  at one or more reduced power levels, depending on the type of transmission, the characteristics of the particular client device to which the transmission is addressed and the characteristics of the other client devices that are associated with the access point  110 . The access point  110  includes a management application  225 , and each client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  includes a client assessment application  404 . The management application  225  and the client assessment applications  404  of each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  operate to select adequate transmission power settings that conserve battery power and limit unnecessary electromagnetic radiation. 
     In operation, the access point  110  is capable of transmitting at a selected power level that is based on factors such as the type of transmission, the reception characteristics, status characteristics, utilization characteristics, mobility characteristics, and the particular target device for the transmission. For instance, access point  110  can transmit periodic beacons at a high power level that include information relating to the access point  110  and the packet switched backbone network  101 , such as a service set identifier (SSID) that identifies the network, a beacon interval that identifies the time between the periodic beacon transmissions, a time stamp that indicates the time of the transmission, transmission rates that are supported by the access point  110 , parameters sets pertaining to specific signaling methods such as channel number, hopping pattern, frequency hop dwell time etc., capability information relating to the requirements that client devices need to associate with the access point  110  such as encryption and other privacy information, a traffic indication map that identifies stations in power saving mode, and/or other control information and data. These beacons are used to support new associations with client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  that enter the proximity of access point  110  or that otherwise become active within this proximity. In particular, these beacon signals are sent with an address field, such as a universal address, that addresses the beacon transmission to all client devices. A client device that wishes to associate (or reassociate) with the wireless network  10 , detects the beacon transmission and responds with an association response transmission, including the SSID, that begins the association (or reassociation) process between the new client device and the access point  110 . 
     Access point  110  is further operable to transmit other network control and management information, such as association responses, reassociation responses, probe responses, clear to send signals, acknowledgements, power-save polls, contention-free end signals, and/or other information or data in packets or frames at reduced power levels in order to limit interference with neighboring networks, conserve power, etc. However, one or more other transmissions of access point  110  are sent between beacon transmissions at a higher power level to: 1) support associations or reassociations; 2) communicate channel busy indications; and 3) deliver channel other network information, such as pending message information, timing information, channel parameter information, etc. While these frames or packets may be addressed to other client devices, a client device scanning to associate with a new wireless network, such as wireless network  10 , can detect these packets or frames for the limited purposes of determining the timing, protocol or rate of these transmissions, determining the received power level and identifying other information pertaining to the network, such as the SSID, that is sufficient to produce an association request. In this fashion, for example: 1) new associations can be supported at a frequency that is greater than the frequency of the periodic beacon transmissions; 2) pending messages can be detected and requested without having to wait for the next beacon; 3) hidden terminal problems caused by lower power transmissions can be mitigated; and 4) channel parameter adjustments can be made more rapidly. 
     Reduced power levels are determined based on reception characteristics relating to how well the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  receive these beacon transmissions can be generated by the client assessment applications  404  of these client devices and transmitted back to the access point  110 . The response by the management application  225  depends on the reception characteristics received from the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 . For example, the management application  225  may decide to select a customized power level for the access point to transmit to each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 , and  127  that may be reduced from the maximum power output, but that provides sufficient power to be received by that particular client device. The management application  225  also selects a high or intermediate power level that is sufficient to be received by all of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 . Specific packets, such as all acknowledgements (ACKs), every other ACK, every nth ACK etc., all data packets, occasional data packets, etc. are transmitted by the access point  110  at the high or intermediate power level that will reach all of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 , with the remaining packets transmitted at the power level that is customized for the particular client device  121 ,  123 ,  125  or  127  to which the packets are addressed. Alternatively, the management application  225  may decide to select a lower power level for transmissions by the access point  110  that will reach the client devices  121 ,  123  and  127 , but not the client device  125 . For transmissions to the client device  125 , a higher power level will be selected. In addition, periodic or occasional transmissions from the access point  110  will be sent at the higher power level even though they are not destined for the client device  125 , and other periodic or occasional transmissions will be sent at the highest power level to support associations and so on. Many other variations are possible that involve selecting various power transmission levels for the access point  110 , with such power levels being selected to reach one or more associated client devices, to reach all associated client devices, and to reach unassociated client devices. 
     Similarly, the management application  225  also determines the transmission power levels of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 . It does this by retrieving information (e.g., reception characteristics) from each of the client devices regarding their ability to detect and receive transmissions from the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 . In the present embodiment, because no direct transmissions occur between the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 , the retrieved information always relates to transmissions sent by the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  to the access point  110 . In other embodiments, the transmissions may in fact be direct. Regardless, from the retrieved information, the access point  110  delivers power control instructions to each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 . Such power control instructions may merely command that all transmissions occur at an identified, single power level. Alternatively, the power control instructions may indicate that a single client device use multiple different power levels in communicating with the access point  110 . For example, because transmissions from the client device  121  may be easily detected by all of the other client devices  123 ,  125  and  127  and the access point  110 , the access point  110  commands that the client device  121  always transmit at a low power level that all network participants can detect. Because transmissions from the client device  121  cannot be easily detected by the client device  127 , the access point  110  directs that the client device  121  normally transmit at a low power level with periodic or occasional transmissions at the highest power level. For example, the highest power level transmissions might be every third data packet and/or every third acknowledgment packet. As before, many other variations are possible that involve selecting various power transmission levels for the client devices, with such power levels being selected to reach the access point  110  and to reach one or more other associated client devices, all associated client devices, and unassociated client devices. 
     Reducing the transmitted power of the access point for some transmissions, and of the client devices themselves, reduces the power consumption of these devices—potentially extending the life of the devices and the battery life for devices that are battery powered. In addition, the resulting wireless network  10  is more “transmission friendly” to neighboring networks. The transmission of beacons and other intermediate transmissions at high power promotes the association of new client devices to wireless network  10 . The transmission of packets addressed to a particular client device  121 ,  123 ,  125  or  127 , at a customized power level enhances the power efficiency of the network. The transmission of selected packets at the high or intermediate power level, that will reach all of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  that are associated with access point  110 , helps reduce hidden terminal problems by letting other client devices know that a device is transmitting and supports associations by client devices that can detect the high or intermediate power level, but not the lower customized power level transmissions. 
     For example, as directed by a client assessment application  404 , the client device  121  assesses transmissions from the access point  110  and the client devices  123 ,  125  and  127 . The client device  121  generates reception characteristics based on the assessment. The client device  121  also gathers local status information, anticipated bandwidth utilization characteristics and mobility information, and, based thereon, generates status characteristics, utilization characteristics, and mobility characteristics. The client device  121  delivers the reception characteristics, status characteristics, utilization characteristics and mobility characteristics to the access point  110  for use by the management application  225 . According to their client assessment applications  404 , the other of the client devices  123 ,  125  and  127  similarly gather and deliver their local status characteristics, utilization characteristics and mobility characteristics along with reception characteristics relating to others of the client devices and the access point  110 . 
     The access point  110 , in accordance with the management application  225 , also generates its own reception characteristics and utilization characteristics. The management application  225  adjusts the access point&#39;s transmission power and controls the transmission power of each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  based on: 1) the reception characteristics received from each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  regarding others of the client devices and the access point; 2) locally generated reception characteristics and utilization characteristics regarding each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 ; 3) status characteristics from each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 ; 4) mobility characteristics from each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 ; and 5) utilization characteristics generated by each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 . The access point  110  achieves such control by causing the access point  110  to deliver control instructions to each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  via the wireless network. Each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  respond to the control instructions by adjusting its transmit power. Such overall control takes advantage of particular, current circumstances, including current operational status, relative positions and properties of any the network nodes (e.g., the access point  110  and the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 ). 
     As used herein, “reception characteristics” includes any data, generated based on received wireless transmissions, that rates or can be used to rate the quality, accuracy or strength of such received wireless transmissions. For example, reception characteristics might include any one or more of a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), bit/packet error, current/historical error rates, multipath interference indications, Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), fading indications, etc. 
     Status characteristics includes any data relating to an underlying device&#39;s prior, current or anticipated readiness, abilities or capacity for participating on the wireless network. Status characteristics include, for example, the amount of power available, such as whether alternating current (AC) power is available or only battery power, and, if battery power, anticipated battery life at various transmission power levels and at various levels of participation, etc. Status characteristics also include whether a device is currently “sleeping” or inactive or in a low power idle state. It may also include historical information anticipating the current status duration and anticipated status characteristics changes. Status characteristics may also include status information relating to each underlying communication software application that runs on a client device. For example, on a single client device two communication applications might be present with one in an inactive state and the other actively communicating. Status characteristics would identify such activity and inactivity. 
     Utilization characteristics include any parameter that indicates a prior, current or anticipated bandwidth requirement, usage or usage characteristic. Utilization characteristics might include anticipated QoS (Quality of Service) requirements, upstream/downstream bandwidth usage, bandwidth usage characteristics, idle versus active status characteristics, underlying data/media types (e.g., voice, video, images, files, database data/commands, etc.) and corresponding requirements, etc. 
     Mobility characteristics include for example indications as to whether the underlying device is: 1) permanently stationary, e.g., a desktop client computer, game console, television, set top box or server; 2) capable of mobility, e.g., a cell phone or mobile VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and palm, laptop or pad computer; and 3) currently moving, e.g., any one or more of current position and direction, velocity and acceleration information. 
     By way of example, the access point  110  may transmit at ten discrete power levels at 1 dB increments, say 10 through 1, with 10 corresponding to the full power transmission, 9 corresponding to a 1 dB reduction in transmitted power, 8 corresponding to a 2 dB reduction in power, etc. Based on reception characteristics received from client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 , and  127 , management application  225  of access point  110  determines the following power levels are sufficient to be received by each client device: 
                                             Client Device   Power level                          121   5           123   6           125   8           127   6                        
Access point  110  transmits beacons at a power level of 10. Access point  110  transmits every other ACK with a power level of 8, 9 or 10, sufficient to be received by each client device  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  and to support the association by other client devices. Other packets from access point  110  are transmitted at the power level assigned to the addressee client device. Packets addressed to client devices  123  or  127  are transmitted at power level 6, packets addressed to client device  121  are transmitted at power level 5, packets addressed to client device  125  are transmitted at power level 8.
 
     While the reception characteristics are described above as generated in response to access point beacons, the reception characteristics can also be collected by a given one of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  through a test mode and through “sniffing”. In the test mode, the access point  110  directs each of the client devices to respond with reception characteristics in response to transmissions from the access point  110  at one or more transmission power levels. Also, in the test mode, the access point  110  directs one of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  to transmit at one or more selected power levels and all others to generate and deliver reception characteristics in response. The access point  110  may similarly direct each of the others of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  to send the test transmissions and correspondingly have the others respond by generating reception characteristics. Testing can be conducted periodically or whenever conditions indicate that transmission power adjustments may be needed. Devices that are mobile may undergo testing more often than those that are stationary. Collecting reception characteristics through sniffing involves a client device listening to ordinary (not test) transmissions from and to the access point  110 . The access point  110  may request reception characteristics based on such sniffing or may be delivered same occasionally or periodically (e.g., as significant changes are detected) and without request by each client device. Similarly, without request, status characteristics, utilization characteristics and mobility characteristics may be reported as significant changes therein occur by a client device to the access point  110 . 
     Further, while the selected power levels used by access point  110  to transmit to each client device are described above as being determined based on reception characteristics, management application  225  can likewise use status characteristics, utilization characteristics and mobility characteristics and with periodic updates thereto, to determine the customized power levels for transmission to each client device  121 ,  123 ,  125 , and  127  and the high or intermediate power level that will reach all client devices. For example, the client device  123  generates reception characteristics from transmissions between the client device  121  and the access point  110 . The client device  123  delivers the reception characteristics generated to the access point  110 . The client device  123 , a stationary desktop computer, has access to AC power, and has a full-duplex, video streaming application running in an active communication state which requires significant bandwidth and QoS. The client device  123  communicates such corresponding status characteristics, utilization characteristics and mobility characteristics to the access point  110 . The client device  125 , a battery powered device with significant remaining battery life, is operating with little communication traffic either direction. The client device  125  generates reception characteristics for all communication exchanges. The client devices  121  and  127 , portable communication devices with minimal power resources, both have one or more communication applications active that require light but continuous bandwidth demands. Both also generate reception characteristics regarding communication flowing in all directions. Such reception characteristics and underlying status characteristics, utilization characteristics and mobility characteristics are communicated to the access point  110 . The management application  225  of the access point  110  considers all such received communications, and for example, may operate at the higher overall transmission power with protocol supported QoS and priority when transmitting to client device  123 . When transmitting at the high or intermediate power level, all of the other client devices should receive the transmissions and attempt to avoid simultaneous, interfering transmissions. Further, the management application  225  may increase the power level for transmission to client device  125 , given the mobility of this device and the potentially changing reception characteristics that this client device may experience. 
     For transmission to the access point  110  from the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 , the management application  225  can determine a transmission power level, based on the reception characteristics (including receptions by client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  of transmissions from other client devices), status characteristics, utilization characteristics and mobility characteristics, that are transmitted by access point  110  to each respective client device. By way of further examples, the client devices  121  and  127  may each adequately receive transmissions from the access point  110 . However, an analysis of their reception characteristics by access point  110  may reveal that client device  127  cannot detect transmissions from client device  121  and vice versa. In this scenario, the access point  110  may choose to boost the transmission power of one or both of the client devices  121  and  127  to avoid potential hidden terminal problems that could occur when client device  121  and  127  attempt to transmit to access point  110 . An analysis of reception characteristics and status characteristics by access point  110  may also reveal that the client device  123  is easily detected by each of the other devices and that it is running low on battery power. In response, the access point  110  can select a reduced transmission power level for the client device  123  that extends its battery life. An analysis of reception characteristics and mobility characteristics by access point  110  may reveal that the client device  125  is highly mobile. Rather than relying solely on reception characteristics, the access point  110  selects a transmission power level for the client device  125  that takes into consideration its possible movement about the transmission range of the wireless network  10 . 
     Also to manage power and transmissions, the management application  225  is further operable to manage the protocol or protocols used in communicating between the access point  110  and the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  and power levels inherent in and associated therewith. In one mode of operation, management application  225  can selectively adjust one or more protocol parameters, such as the packet length, data rate, forward error correction, error detection, coding scheme, data payload length, contention period, and back-off parameters used by access point  110  in communication with one or more of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 , based on the analysis of the reception characteristics, status characteristics, utilization characteristics, and mobility characteristics. In this fashion, the protocol parameters can be adapted for power conservation and to minimize unnecessary transmission power utilization based on the conditions of the network. These conditions for example include not only the mobility, utilization, status, and reception characteristics of a particular device, but the mobility, utilization, status, and reception characteristics of a plurality of devices, and how well each client device receives other client devices. 
     For example, in the event that a client device, such as client device  121 , has difficulty detecting transmissions from client device  123 , access point  110  can modify the protocol parameters so that transmissions by client device  123  include more aggressive error correcting codes, increased back-off times and/or smaller data payloads or packet length to increase the chances that a packet will be received in the event of contention by client device  121 . In addition, decreasing the packet length can increase the frequency of acknowledgements transmitted by access point  110 . These acknowledgements can be transmitted at a power level sufficient to be heard by client device  121 . With increased back-off times, client device  121  has less opportunity to create a potential contention. 
     In a further mode of operation, access point  110  and client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  can operate using a plurality of different, and potentially complimentary, protocols having different protocol parameters. Access point  110  can likewise select a particular one of a plurality of protocols that suits the particular conditions present in the wireless network  10 , as determined based on an assessment of utilization characteristics, status characteristics, mobility characteristics and/or reception characteristics. For instance, an access point can select from 802.11(n), 802.11(g) or 802.11(b) protocols having different protocol parameters, data rates, etc, based on the particular protocol best suited to accommodate the characteristics of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  that are present. 
     It should be noted that these examples are merely illustrative of the many functions and features presented in the various embodiments of the present invention set forth more fully in conjunction with the description and claims that follow. 
       FIG. 2  presents a timing diagram of transmissions by the access point  110  and the client devices  121  and  123  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular,  FIG. 2  shows exchanges between access point  110  and client device  121  and exchanges between access point  110  and client device  123 . While exchanges between the access point  110  and two client devices are shown, the invention herein likewise applies for use with a greater number of client devices. In this diagram, transmissions of data, and network management and control information such as data packets, acknowledgements and beacons are represented by blocks whose relationship to the timing of other events can illustrate a mode of operation, however, the durations of these blocks are not shown to scale. The relative amplitude of these blocks represents the power level of a particular transmission, with taller blocks being transmitted at greater power and shorter blocks being transmitted at lower power. 
     In this example, the access point  110  transmits at a high power level, such as the highest power level, for the periodic beacons  40 . Transmissions to client device  121 , such as acknowledgements  52  and  56  are at a first reduced power level that is sufficient for reception by client device  121 . Transmissions to client device  123 , such as transmissions  60  are at a second reduced power level that is sufficient for reception by client device  123 . Selected acknowledgements, such as acknowledgement  54  and selected transmissions such as transmission  64 , are at a higher power level such as the power level used for the beacons  40  or a power level that can be heard by all of the client devices in the network. Transmissions  50  by client device  121  are at the power level selected by access point  110  for this device based on the characteristics of client device  121 . Acknowledgements  62  by client device  123  are transmitted at the power level selected by access point  110  for client device  123  device based on the characteristics of this device. 
     In this fashion, access point  110  transmits selected wireless transmissions, such as beacons  40 , acknowledgement  54  and transmission  64 , at a first power level designed to reach both client devices  121  and  123  and potentially other devices that wish to associate with wireless network  10 . Other wireless transmissions, such as periodic acknowledgements  52  and  56  by the access point  110 , are sent at a second power level that is selected to support both delivery of the packets to the client device  121  and detection of these transmissions by the client device  123 , the first power level being greater than the second power level. In addition, wireless transmissions, such as transmissions  60  are sent at a third power level selected to support receipt of the packets by client device  123  device, the second power level being greater than the third power level. 
     The selection of the particular intermediate transmissions by access point  110 , that are between the periodic beacons  40  and are sent at a high power level to support association by a client device, can be performed in several ways. For instance, transmissions of a particular type, such as the transmission of data packets or frames, acknowledgement packets or frames, or other types of control or management packets or frames can alternate between N transmissions at the reduced power level and M transmissions at the higher level, where N and M are integers that are greater than zero. For instance, 1 of 2, 1 of 3, 1 of 4, 1 of 6, or 1 of 16, etc., data frames or packets can be sent at the high power level with the other packets sent at the reduced power level. Or for instance, 1 of 2, 1 of 3, 1 of 4, 1 of 6, or 1 of 16, etc., acknowledgement frames or packets can be sent at the high power level with the other packets sent at the reduced power level. Alternatively, the access point  110  can keep track of the timing between beacons  40  to identify one or more periodic high-power transmission windows, such as midway between these beacons or equally spaced between these beacons. Transmissions of data, control or management packets or frames that occur during these high-power transmission windows are automatically transmitted at the high power level. 
       FIG. 3  presents a timing diagram of transmissions by the access point  110  and the client devices  121  and  123  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular,  FIG. 3  shows exchanges between access point  110  and client device  121  and exchanges between access point  110  and client device  123 . While exchanges between the access point  110  and two client devices are shown, the invention herein likewise applies for use with a greater number of client devices. In this diagram, transmissions such as data packets, acknowledgements and beacons are represented by blocks whose relationship to the timing of other events can illustrate a mode of operation, however, the durations of these blocks are not shown to scale. The relative amplitude of these blocks represents the power level of a particular transmission, with taller blocks being transmitted at greater power and shorter blocks being transmitted at lower power. 
     Prior to the beginning of the time shown by  FIG. 2 , client device  121  has generated first characteristics by evaluating transmissions, such as beacons, test transmissions or routine on-going transmissions, from both the access point  110  and other client devices, and further, by evaluating its own utilization, status and mobility. 
     Likewise, client device  123  has generated second characteristics by evaluating transmissions from both the access point  110  and other client devices, and its own utilization, status and mobility. Client device  121  transmits, at a preset power level, transmission  130  to the access point  110  that includes the first characteristics. Access point generates an acknowledgement  132  in response at a first power level, such as a high or full power level. Client device  123  transmits, at a preset power level, transmission  134  to the access point  110  that includes the second characteristics. Access point generates an acknowledgement  136  in response at the high power level. 
     The management application  225  of access point  110 , having received the first characteristics from client device  121  and second characteristics from client device  123 . assesses both the first characteristics and the second characteristics and, based on the assessment, selects both a second power level of the plurality of power levels for transmissions by the access point  110  to the client device  121  and a third power level of the plurality of power levels for transmissions by the access point  110  to the client device  123 . Although not shown, the access point  110  may select an alternate protocol, based on such assessment, and coordinate switch-over from that currently being used to the alternate protocol. 
     Assuming a protocol change is not warranted, the management application  225  determines a selected power level for transmissions by the client device  121  and a selected power level for transmissions by the client device  123  and other possible protocol parameters that are sent, respectively, to clients devices  121  and  123  in transmissions  140  and  144  that are acknowledged, respectively, by acknowledgements  142  and  146 . 
     After the transmission powers and protocol parameters for the access point  110  and the client devices  121  and  123  are established, the operating mode begins. In this example, the access point  110  transmits at a highest power level for the periodic beacons  140 . Transmissions to client device  121 , such as acknowledgement  154  are at a first reduced power level that is sufficient for reception by client device  121 . Transmissions to client device  123 , such as transmissions  160  alternate between a second reduced power level that is sufficient for reception by client device  123  and the first reduced power level. In addition, periodic acknowledgements, such as acknowledgements  152  and  156  are at a higher power level that can be heard by all of the client devices in the network and that provide better support for the association by other client devices than acknowledgement  154 . Transmissions  150  by client device  121  are at the power level selected by access point  110  for this device based on the characteristics of client device  121 . Acknowledgements  162  by client device  123  are transmitted at the power level selected by access point  110  for client device  123  device based on the characteristics of this device. 
     In this fashion, access point  110  transmits selected wireless transmissions, such as beacons  140  at a first power level, to reach both client devices  121  and  123  and potentially other devices that wish to associate with wireless network  10 . Other wireless transmissions, such as periodic acknowledgements  152  and  156  by the access point  110 , are sent at a second power level that is selected to support both delivery of the packets to the client device  121  and detection of these transmissions by the client device  123  and potentially other devices that wish to associate with wireless network  10 , the first power level being greater than the second power level. In addition, wireless transmissions, such as transmissions  160  are sent at a third power level selected to support receipt of the packets by client device  123  device, the second power level being greater than the third power level. 
     Alternatively, if circumstances warrant, the access point  110  could choose all of its transmissions other than the highest power beacons to be tailored specifically for the client device  121  even though the client devices  123  cannot hear such transmissions. To combat such hidden terminal condition, the access point  110  commands the client device  121  to transmit at a power level sufficient for the client device  123  to detect. With a protocol that requires at least periodic confirmation by the client device  121  (e.g., interspersed acknowledge packets), even though the client device  121  cannot hear the access point  110 , the client device  123  will hear the periodic confirmation transmissions (or payload transmissions from the client device  121 ), and thus determine that the access point  110  is engaged. At the same time, the access point  110  may determine that the client device  121  can hear transmissions by the access point  110  at power levels only great enough to adequately support the client device  123 . Based on this determination, the access point  110  might direct the client device  123  to transmit at a power level only sufficient to adequately reach the access point  110  but not the client device  121 . 
     Of course, various other circumstances warrant various other transmission power and protocol configurations. For example, if the access point  110  determines that transmissions from and to the client device  121  can be selected such that they provide adequate performance yet not be heard by the client device  123 , the access point  110  may adopt such power levels. Because the client device  123  has indicated an idle status, the access point  110  may accept any unexpected interference from the client device  123  as it exits the idle status to transmit during a communication exchange between the client device  121  and the access point  123 . Thereafter, the access point  110  can change power levels to accommodate the both of the client devices  121  and  123  in their active states. Or, instead of merely tolerating such unexpected interference, the access point  110  may employ a different protocol operation or an entirely different protocol to accommodate such circumstances. An example of this would be for the access point  110  to command that the client device  123  only attempt transmissions from the idle state during a fixed period after a beacon and thereafter avoid communication exchanges with the client device  121  during such period. This change might be supported within the current protocol, or might require a change from the current protocol to another. Similarly, instead of switching protocols, the access point  110  may choose to operate two different protocols at the same time, by directing at least one of the two of the client devices  121  and  123  to switch. Further, if the access point  110  detects that the client device  123  is plugged into AC (Alternating Current) power, it may direct the client device  123  to always transmit at a higher or highest power, while directing the client device  121  (that may operate on limited battery power) to transmit at only that necessary to reach the access point  110 . Many other circumstances and adaptation by the access point  110  to reduce overall unnecessary transmission power usage by one or more of the client devices  121  and  123  and the access point  110  itself are contemplated. 
       FIG. 4  presents a pictorial representation of a wireless network  10  that shows examples of client devices and various modes of connection between access points and packet switched backbone network  101  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Packet switched backbone network  101  includes wired data networks  230  such as a cable, fiber, or other wired or hybrid network for providing access, such as narrowband, broadband or enhanced broadband access to content that is local to wired data network  230  or is otherwise accessed through Internet backbone  217 . In particular, examples of wired data networks  230  include a public switched telephone network (PSTN), cable television network or private network that provides traditional plain old telephone service, narrowband data service, broadband data service, voice over internet protocol (IP) telephony service, broadcast cable television service, video on demand service, IP television service, and/or other services. 
     Packet switched backbone network  101  further includes a terrestrial wireless data network  232  that includes a cellular telephone network, personal communications service (PCS), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), or integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN). These networks are capable of accessing wired data networks  230  through internet backbone  217  and for providing the many of the services discussed in conjunction wired data networks  230  in accordance with international wireless communications standards such as 2G, 2.5G and 3G. 
     Packet switched backbone network  101  also includes satellite data network  234  for providing access to services such as satellite video services, satellite radio service, satellite telephone service and satellite data service. In addition, packet switched backbone network  101  includes other wireless data networks  236  such as a WiMAX network, ultra wideband network, edge network, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System, etc., for providing an alternate medium for accessing any of the services previously described. 
     Access points  211 - 213  provide access to WAN  101  through a wired connection to wired data networks  230 . In addition, access point  213  is capable of providing access to packet switched backbone network  101  through wireless data networks  236 . Set top box (STB)  214  includes the functionality of access points  211 ,  212 , and/or  213  while further including optional access to terrestrial wireless data network  232 , and satellite data network  234 . In particular, STB  214  optionally includes additional functions and features directed toward the selection and processing of video content such as satellite, cable or IP video content. While the term “access point” and “set top box” have been used separately in the context of this discussion, the term “access point” shall include both the functionality and structure associated with a set top box, including but not limited to, STB  214 . 
     A plurality of client devices are shown that include personal computers (PC)  203  and  206 , wireless telephones  204  and  207 , television (TV)  205 , and wireless headphones  208 . These client devices are merely examples of the wide range of client devices that can send data to and receive data from access points  211 - 213  and STB  214 . While each of these client devices are shown pictorially as having integrated transceiver circuitry for accessing a corresponding access point, an separate wireless interface device may likewise be coupled to the client module via a port such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 488 parallel port, IEEE 1394 (Firewire) port, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) port, etc. 
     Access points  211 - 213  and STB  214  include a management application  225  and personal computers (PC)  203  and  206 , wireless telephones  204  and  207 , television (TV)  205 , and wireless headphones  208 , include client assessment application  404  that allow these devices to implement the power management method and structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Further discussion of these wireless networks, access points, client devices, including methods for use therewith will be set forth in association with  FIGS. 3-9  and the appended claims. 
       FIG. 5  presents a block diagram representation of an access point  300  that can be used in wireless network  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, access point  300 , such as access point  110 ,  211 - 213 , STB  214 , is presented. Access point  300  includes a communication interface circuitry  308  for communicating with at least one packet switched backbone network  101 . While a single connection is shown, in an embodiment of access point  300 , such as access point  213  and/or STB  214 , communication interface circuitry  308  provides a plurality of interfaces that communicatively couples with packet switched backbone network  101 , such as the various networks shown in association with  FIG. 4 . 
     Access point  300  further includes access point transceiver circuitry  302 , operatively coupled to the communication interface circuitry  308 , that manages communication by transmitting at a plurality of power levels and receives data over a wireless network  10 , to and from a plurality of client devices, such as client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 , PCs  203  and  206 , wireless phones  204  and  207 , TV  205  and wireless headphones  208 . Access point  300  also includes memory circuitry  306 , and processing circuitry  304  that controls communication flow between the communication interface circuitry  308  and the access point transceiver circuitry  302 , and that implements management application  225 . Management application  225  includes power logic  227  that selects the power level of the plurality of power levels for periodic transmissions such as beacons, the transmission of data packets and the transmission acknowledgements, based on the particular target or targets that access point  300  wishes to reach with a particular transmission. In addition, management application  229  includes protocol logic  229  that selects either particular protocol parameters, or particular protocols for use in communications with one or more of the client devices. These protocols, protocol parameters, client device power levels and transmission power levels for access point  300  are stored in memory circuitry  306  and retrieved by processing circuitry  304  as needed. 
     The processing circuitry  304  may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be, for example, any one or more of a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, logic circuitry, state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The memory circuitry  306  may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, flash memory, static memory, dynamic memory, optical or magnetic storage, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that when the processing circuitry  304  implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, and/or digital circuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded in the circuitry comprising the state machine, logic circuit, analog circuit, and/or digital circuit. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, wireless network  10  conforms to at least one industry standard communication protocol such as 802.11, 802.16, 802.15, Bluetooth, Advanced Mobile Phone Services (AMPS), Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), and a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). Other protocols, either standard or proprietary, may likewise be implemented within the scope of the present invention. 
     In operation, the management application  225  receives reception characteristics, status characteristics, mobility characteristics and utilization characteristics from at least one of the plurality of client devices. The reception characteristics includes, for example, point to point reception parameters such as the strength of signals received by at least one of the plurality of client devices from other devices over the wireless link. Based on at least some of the reception characteristics, status characteristics, mobility characteristics and utilization characteristics, the management application  225  selects transmission power levels for itself and for each of the plurality of client devices, and transmits corresponding control signals to the plurality of client devices, directing transmission power adjustment to the selected power levels. Further details, including several optional features of management application  225  are presented in association with  FIG. 8 . 
     Communication interface circuitry  308  and selected functions of AP transceiver circuitry  302  can be implemented in hardware, firmware or software. Other functions of transceiver circuitry  302  are implemented in analog RF (Radio Frequency) circuitry as will be understood by one skilled in the art when presented the disclosure herein. When implemented in software, the operational instructions used to implement the functions and features of these devices can also be implemented on processing circuitry  304  and stored in memory circuitry  306 . 
     In operation, access point  300  communicates with each client device in a point-to-point manner. To transmit data, access point  300  generates a data packet that is formatted based the selected protocol of wireless network  10 . In particular, communication interface circuitry  308  produces data payloads based on data received from packet switched backbone network  101 . Other control information and data including the selected power levels and protocol parameters destined for the client devices of wireless network  10  are derived from power the management application  225  of the processing circuitry  304 . 
     AP transceiver circuitry  302  modulates the data, up-converts the modulated data to produce an RF signal of the wireless network  10 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the AP transceiver circuitry  302  transmits at one of a plurality of power levels, as determined by management application  225 . As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, if the access point  300  operates based on a carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA), when access point  300  transmits data, each client device in communication with wireless network  10  may receive the RF signal, but only the client that is addressed, i.e., a target client device, will process the RF signal to recapture the packet. 
     AP transceiver circuitry  302  is further operable to receive signals from the plurality of client devices over wireless network  10 . In this instance, transceiver circuitry  302  receives an RF signal, down-converts the RF signal to a base-band signal and demodulates the base-band signal to recapture a packet of data. In particular, data payloads destined for packet switched backbone network  101  are provided to communication interface circuitry  308  to be formatted in accordance with the protocol used by packet switched backbone network  101 . Other control information and data including the selected reception characteristics received from the client devices of wireless network  10  are provided to management application  225  of processing circuitry  304 . 
       FIG. 6  presents a block diagram representation of a client device  400  that can be used in wireless network  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A client device  400  is presented, such as client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 , PCs  203  and  206 , wireless phones  204  and  207 , TV  205  and wireless headphones  208 . In particular, client device  400  includes a client transceiver circuitry  402  that transmits and receives data over wireless network  10 , that operates in a similar fashion to access point transceiver circuitry  402 . However, client transceiver circuitry  402  is operable to transmit at a selected power level, received from access point  300 . 
     Client device  400  includes memory circuitry  408 , and processing circuitry  406  that implements client assessment application  404  and client application  410 . The processing circuitry  406  may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, logic circuitry, state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The memory circuitry  408  may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, flash memory, static memory, dynamic memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that when the processing circuitry  406  implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, and/or digital circuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instruction will be embedded in the circuitry comprising the state machine, logic circuit, analog circuit, and/or digital circuit. 
     Further, client device  400  includes a client assessment application  404 , operably coupled to the client transceiver circuitry  402 , that assesses signals received from other devices, including the access point and other client devices, over the wireless network  10 . In response, client assessment application  404  generates reception characteristics and transmits the reception characteristics over the wireless link to access point  300 . 
     In operation, the client assessment application  404  includes operational instructions that cause processing circuitry  406  to transfer data and signals to and from client transceiver circuitry  402 ; to assess signals  438  received from other devices, including other client devices, over the wireless link; and to generate reception characteristics  436 . In one mode of operation, client assessment application calculates a measure of signal strength, such as RSSI for each of the other devices and formats this information as reception characteristics  436  for transmission to management application  225 . Further details, including several optional features of client assessment application  404  are presented in association with  FIG. 7 . 
     Client application  410  includes the prime functions of the device itself, (e.g. a television, telephones, personal computer, headphones, etc.) Selected data packets transmitted to and wide area network originate  101  from data received from client application  410 . In addition, data packets received from packet switched backbone network  101  are passed to client application  410 . 
     Selected functions of client transceiver circuitry  402  can be implemented in hardware, firmware or software. Other functions of client transceiver circuitry  402  are implemented in analog RF circuitry as will be understood by one skilled in the art when presented the disclosure herein. When implemented in software, the operation instructions used to implement the functions and features of these devices can be implemented on processing circuitry  406  and stored in memory circuitry  408 . 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, one or more components of client transceiver circuitry  402 , processing circuitry  406  and memory circuitry  408  are implemented on an integrated circuit. 
     In operation, when client device  400  is scanning to associate with a new wireless network, such as wireless network  10 , client device  400  detects either a beacon transmission and/or non-beacon transmissions such as other data, network management or control transmissions of an access point, such as access point  300 , that are received by client transceiver circuitry  402 . Client device  400  responds to the detection by determining the timing of the transmission and sends an association request transmission to the access point transceiver circuitry to initiate an association with the access point to couple the client device  400  to the packet switched backbone network  101  via the access point. While these non-beacon frames or packets may be addressed to other client devices, the client device  400  can detect these packets or frames for the limited purposes of determining the timing, protocol or rate of these transmissions, determining the received power level and identifying other information pertaining to the network, such as the SSID, that is sufficient to produce an association request to be transmitted to the access point to initiate an association therewith. 
       FIG. 7  presents a block diagram representation of a client device  400 ′ with optional GPS circuitry  416  and power source regulation circuitry  420  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Client device  400 ′ can be used in place of client device  400  in any of the applications disclosed herein. In particular, a client assessment application  404  includes operational instructions that cause processing circuitry  406  to support the management application  225  of the access point  300 . In particular, the client assessment application  404  is operably coupled to power source regulation circuitry  420  to monitor the charging of optional battery pack  422 , monitor the charge used by battery pack  422 , to determine the remaining charge on battery pack  422  and whether the optional external power source  424  is currently connected. 
     The client assessment application  404  includes operational instructions that cause processing circuitry  406  to generate battery life data  432  and transmit such status characteristics over the wireless network  10  via client transceiver circuitry  402 . In one mode of operation, client assessment application  404  generates and transmits further status characteristics such as estimated remaining battery life. For instance, battery life data  432  can indicate the client device  400 ′ is coupled to external power source  424 , an estimated battery life for one or more selected power levels, an estimated battery life for one or more coding schemes, an estimated battery life battery life for one or more possible data rates, an estimated battery life based on an estimated channel usage, an estimated battery life battery life based on an estimate of required deterministic bandwidth, and an estimated battery life based on an estimate of non-deterministic bandwidth, or other estimates of battery life based on further operational parameters of client device  400 ′. Also as mentioned previously, other types of status characteristics can be generated pursuant to the client assessment application  404  and communicated to the management application running on the access point device  110 . 
     Utilization characteristics can be similarly collected and communicated. For example, utilization characteristics may be retrieved directly from the current client application(s) or from the memory  408 . Utilization characteristics retrieved from the memory may have originated, for example, based on: 1) prior interaction with or monitoring of the client application  410 ; 2) user input; and 3) preset values. 
     The client assessment application  404  also causes the processing circuitry  406  to generate and transmit mobility characteristics  434  over the wireless link  434  via the client transceiver circuitry  402 . GPS module  416  provides geographical data  418  such as GPS coordinates, scalar and/or vector velocities, accelerations, etc. In addition to such geographical coordinate data  418 , mobility module can generate mobility characteristics  434  that includes a mobility factor indicative of whether the client device is in a stationary condition, the client device is in a low mobility condition such as a laptop computer that shifts slightly on a table in a coffee shop, or whether the client device is in a high mobility condition, such as in a car or other mobile environment. This additional mobility characteristics  434  can be associated with a type of a device, e.g. a laptop computer may have a low mobility rating, a wireless transceiver circuitry mounted in a vehicle may have a medium mobility rating, a desktop computer may have a stationary mobility rating, etc. Further the mobility factor can be user selected based on the particular conditions. In addition, the mobility factor can be derived based on assessing a scalar or vector velocity from GPS module  416  and/or changes in geographical coordinate data  418  over time, and comparing the velocity to one of a plurality of mobility thresholds. 
     When generated and transmitted to management application  225 , battery life data  432 , utilization characteristics  439 , mobility characteristics  434 , and other status characteristics can further be used by management application  225  for determining a selected power level for client device  400 ′, for access point  300 , and for other client devices of wireless network  10 , and for determining either a particular protocol or protocol parameters used by client device  400 ′ in communications with access point  300 . When received, selected power level  462  and protocol parameter  464  can be used to generate the transmissions by client device  400 ′ to access point  300 . 
       FIG. 8  presents a block diagram representation of an access point  300 ′ with optional AP assessment application  225  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. An access point  300 ′ is presented that includes many common elements of access point  300 , referred to by common reference numerals. In addition, the access point  300 ′ includes an AP assessment application  226  that includes operational instructions, that cause the processing circuitry  304  to assess signals  438  received from the plurality of client devices, such as client device  400 , over the wireless network  10 . The assessed strength of signals  438  can also be used by management application  225  to determine the selected power level the plurality of client devices of wireless network  10 . Access point  300 ′ may be used in any of the applications discussed in conjunction with access point  300 . 
     In particular, access point assessment application  226  assesses signals  438  received from the plurality of client devices based upon a signal strength criteria such as RSSI, a signal to noise ratio (SNR), a noise parameter, or an amount of bit errors, and a bit error rate (BER) of data received from the particular client device. 
     In a test mode of operation, the access point assessment application  226  is operable to generate a test packet such as an echo packet that is transmitted to the client device where a reply packet is transmitted and received back by access point  300 . The number of bit errors or the BER for this particular packet can be calculated by comparing the received data to the data that was transmitted. All other client devices that do not participate in the exchange, listen and generate reception characteristics for the access point assessment application  226 . 
     In a further “sniffing” mode of operation, the access point assessment application  226  receives reception characteristics generated by the various client devices based on normal, ongoing packets exchanges with the access point. For example, reception characteristics might comprise an error detecting code such as a linear block code, convolutional code or error correcting code can be used to determine the number of bit errors in the received data, within the coding limit of the particular code use. For instance, a (24,12) Golay code with optional CRC bit could detect up to 4 errors in a 24 bit coded word before the coding limit was reached. 
     The management application  225  assesses the received reception characteristics  436 , mobility characteristics  434 , utilization characteristics  439  and battery life data  432 . Optional assessed strength of signals are received from access point assessment application  226 . Although not shown, other types of status characteristics and are also received and assessed by the management application  225 . 
     The management application  225  implements a plurality of power management rules, based on the reception characteristics  436  (including the assessed strength of signals), the mobility characteristics  434 , utilization characteristics, battery life data  432  and other status characteristics. The power management rules generate a selected power level to be used by the access point  300  and a selected power level  462  to be used by one, all or a group of ones of a plurality of client devices, such as client device  400 . Upon receiving a corresponding control instruction from the management application  225 , any such client device responds adjusting the transmission power to that selected. 
     In operation, the access point  300 ′, through transceiver circuitry  302 , is capable of transmitting at a selected power level that is based on factors such as the type of transmission, the reception characteristics, status characteristics, utilization characteristics, mobility characteristics, and the particular target device for the transmission. For instance, access point  300 ′ can transmit periodic beacons at a high power level that include information relating to the access point  300 ′ and the packet switched backbone network  101  such as a service set identifier (SSID) that identifies the network, a beacon interval that identifies the time between the periodic beacon transmissions, a time stamp that indicates the time of the transmission, transmission rates that are supported by the access point  300 ′, parameters sets pertaining to specific signaling methods such as channel number, hopping pattern, frequency hop dwell time etc., capability information relating to the requirements that client devices need to associate with the access point  300 ′ such as encryption and other privacy information, a traffic indication map that identifies stations in power saving mode, and/or other control information and data. These beacons are used to support new associations with client devices such as the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125   127 ,  400  and/or  400 ′ that enter the proximity of access point  300 ′ or that otherwise become active within this proximity. In particular, these beacon signals are sent with an address field, such as a universal address, that addresses the beacon transmission to all client devices. A client device that wishes to associate (or reassociate) with the wireless network  10 , detects the beacon transmission and responds with an association response transmission, including the SSID, that begins the association (or reassociation) process between the new client device and the access point  300 ′. 
     Access point  300 ′ is further operable to transmit other network control and management information, such as association responses, reassociation responses, probe responses, clear to send signals, acknowledgements, power-save polls, contention-free end signals, and/or other information or data in packets or frames at reduced power levels in order to limit interference with neighboring networks, conserve power, etc. However, one or more other transmissions of access point  300 ′ are sent between beacon transmissions at a higher power level to: 1) support associations or reassociations; 2) communicate channel busy indications; and 3) deliver channel other network information, such as pending message information, timing information, channel parameter information, etc. While these frames or packets may be addressed to other client devices, a client device scanning to associate with a new wireless network, such as wireless network  10 , can detect these packets or frames for the limited purposes of determining the timing, protocol or rate of these transmissions, determining the received power level and identifying other information pertaining to the network, such as the SSID, that is sufficient to produce an association request. In this fashion, for example: 1) new associations can be supported at a frequency that is greater than the frequency of the periodic beacon transmissions; 2) pending messages can be detected and requested without having to wait for the next beacon; 3) hidden terminal problems caused by lower power transmissions can be mitigated; and 4) channel parameter adjustments can be made more rapidly. 
     For example, the access point processing circuitry  304  can assess both a first plurality of characteristics and a second plurality of characteristics received from two client devices associated therewith, and based on the assessment, select a second power level of the plurality of power levels for a first transmission of data packets by the access point transceiver circuitry  302 , addressed to a first of the two client devices, and the first power level of the plurality of power levels for a second transmission by the access point transceiver circuitry  302 , also addressed to the first of the two client devices, and the first power level is greater that the second power level. The first transmission can include data packets from the packet switched backbone network and the second transmission can include acknowledgement data that is based on data packets received by the access point transceiver circuitry  302  from the first client transceiver circuitry. Alternatively, the first transmission and the second transmission can both include data packets from the packet switched backbone network  101 . Further, the first transmissions and the second transmissions can both includes acknowledgement data that is based on data packets received by the access point transceiver circuitry  302  from the first client transceiver circuitry. Based on these transmissions a third client device having third client transceiver circuitry that detects the second transmission, responds to the detection by determining the timing of the transmission and sends an association request transmission to the access point transceiver circuitry  302  to initiate an association with access point  300 ′ to couple the third client device to the packet switched backbone network  101  via the access point transceiver circuitry  302 , the access point processing circuitry  304 , and the communication interface circuitry  300 . In addition, the access point processing circuitry  304  can select a third power level of the plurality of power levels for third transmissions by the access point transceiver circuitry  302  to the second client transceiver circuitry and the first power level of the plurality of power levels for fourth transmissions by the access point transceiver circuitry to the second client transceiver circuitry, and the first power level is greater than the second power level that is greater that the third power level. 
     The selection of the particular intermediate transmissions by access point  300 ′, that are between the periodic beacons and are sent at a high power level to support association by a client device, can be performed in several ways. For instance, transmissions of a particular type, such as the transmission of data packets or frames, acknowledgement packets or frames, or other types of control or management packets or frames can alternate between N transmissions at the reduced power level and M transmissions at the higher level, where N and M are integers that are greater than zero. For instance, 1 of 2, 1 of 3, 1 of 4, 1 of 6, or 1 of 16, etc., data frames or packets can be sent at the high power level with the other packets sent at the reduced power level. Or for instance, 1 of 2, 1 of 3, 1 of 4, 1 of 6, or 1 of 16, etc., acknowledgement frames or packets can be sent at the high power level with the other packets sent at the reduced power level. Alternatively, the access point  300 ′ can keep track of the timing between beacons to identify one or more periodic high-power transmission windows, such as midway between these beacons or equally spaced between these beacons. Transmissions of data, control or management packets or frames that occur during these high-power transmission windows are automatically transmitted at the high power level. 
     Reduced power levels are determined based on reception characteristics relating to how well the client devices, such as the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400  and/or  400 ′ receive these beacon transmissions can be generated by the client assessment applications  404  of these client devices and transmitted back to the access point  300 ′. The response by the management application  225  depends on the reception characteristics received from the client  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400 ′ and/or  400 ′. For example, the management application  225  may decide to select a customized power level for the access point to transmit to each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400 ′ and/or  400 ′ that may be reduced from the maximum power output, but that provides sufficient power to be received by that particular client device. The management application  225  also selects a high or intermediate power level that is sufficient to be received by all of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400 ′ and/or  400 ′. Specific packets, such as all acknowledgements (ACKs), every other ACK, every nth ACK etc., all data packets, occasional data packets, etc. are transmitted by the access point  300 ′ at the high or intermediate power level that will reach all of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400 ′ and/or  400 ′, with the remaining packets transmitted at the power level that is customized for the particular client device  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400 ′ and/or  400 ′ to which the packets are addressed. Alternatively, the management application  225  may decide to select a lower power level for transmissions by the access point  300 ′ that will reach the client devices  121 ,  123  and  127 , but not the client device  125 . For transmissions to the client device  125 , a higher power level will be selected. In addition, periodic or occasional transmissions from the access point  300 ′ will be sent at the higher power level even though they are not destined for the client device  125 , and other periodic or occasional transmissions will be sent at the highest power level to support associations and so on. Many other variations are possible that involve selecting various power transmission levels for the access point  300 ′, with such power levels being selected to reach one or more associated client devices, to reach all associated client devices, and to reach unassociated client devices. 
     Similarly, the management application  225  also determines the transmission power levels of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400 ′ and/or  400 ′. It does this by retrieving information (e.g., reception characteristics) from each of the client devices regarding their ability to detect and receive transmissions from the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400 ′ and/or  400 ′. In the present embodiment, because no direct transmissions occur between the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400 ′ and/or  400 ′, the retrieved information always relates to transmissions sent by the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400 ′ and/or  400 ′ to the access point  300 ′. In other embodiments, the transmissions may in fact be direct. Regardless, from the retrieved information, the access point  300 ′ delivers power control instructions to each of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400 ′ and/or  400 ′. Such power control instructions may merely command that all transmissions occur at an identified, single power level. Alternatively, the power control instructions may indicate that a single client device use multiple different power levels in communicating with the access point  300 ′. For example, because transmissions from the client device  121  may be easily detected by all of the other client devices  123 ,  125  and  127  and the access point  300 ′, the access point  300 ′ commands that the client device  121  always transmit at a low power level that all network participants can detect. Because transmissions from the client device  121  cannot be easily detected by the client device  127 , the access point  300 ′ directs that the client device  121  normally transmit at a low power level with periodic or occasional transmissions at the highest power level. For example, the highest power level transmissions might be every third data packet and/or every third acknowledgment packet. As before, many other variations are possible that involve selecting various power transmission levels for the client devices, with such power levels being selected to reach the access point  300 ′ and to reach one or more other associated client devices, all associated client devices, and unassociated client devices. 
     By way of further example, the power level generation module can, through operation of the power management rules, determine which of the client devices  400  are not being heard by other client devices. In response, power level generation module can establish a selected power level  462  for such client devices  400  to optionally boost the transmission power so that they will be heard by some or all of the remaining client devices. In addition, power level generation module can reduce the power generated by a client device  400  that is generating a stronger than necessary signal for being heard by the remaining client devices. 
     Management application  225  is further operable to manage the protocol or protocols used in communicating between the access point  300 ′ and the client devices associated with access point  300 ′ over wireless network  10 . In one mode of operation, management application  225  can selectively adjust one or more protocol parameters, such as the packet length, data rate, forward error correction, error detection, coding scheme, data payload length, contention period, and back-off parameters used by access point  300 ′ in communication with one or more of the client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400  and/or  400 ′ based on the analysis of the reception characteristics, status characteristics, utilization characteristics, and mobility characteristics. In this fashion, the protocol parameters can optionally be adapted based on the conditions of the network, including not only the mobility, utilization, status, and reception characteristics of a particular device, but the mobility, utilization, status, and reception characteristics of a plurality of other devices, including how well each client device receives other client devices. 
     For example, in the event that a first client device has difficulty detecting transmissions from a second client device, access point  300 ′ can modify the protocol parameters so that transmissions by the second client device include more aggressive error correcting codes, increased back-off times and/or smaller data payloads or packet length to increase the chances that a packet will be received in the event of contention by the first client device. In addition, decreasing the packet length can increase the frequency of acknowledgements transmitted by access point  300 ′. These acknowledgements can be transmitted at a power level sufficient to be heard by the first client device. With increased back-off times, first client device is less likely to create a potential contention. 
     In a mode of operation, an access point such as access point  300 ′, manages communication exchanges between a plurality of wireless devices, such as client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400  and/or  400 ′ and a packet switched backbone network  100 , such that the plurality of wireless devices include a plurality of associated devices and at least one unassociated device. The access point includes interface circuitry, such as communication interface circuitry  308 , that communicatively couples with the packet switched backbone network; wireless transceiver circuitry, such as AP transceiver circuitry  302 , that supports transmissions at a plurality of power levels; processing circuitry, such as processing circuitry  304  that is communicatively coupled to both the interface circuitry and the wireless transceiver circuitry, that receives via the wireless transceiver circuitry information from each of the plurality of wireless devices, such information comprising at least reception information related to a transmission from the wireless transceiver circuitry. In operation, the processing circuitry makes a first selection from the plurality of power levels for periodic beacon transmissions by the wireless transceiver circuitry. The processing circuitry makes a second selection from the plurality of power levels for transmissions between the periodic beacon transmissions and by the wireless transceiver circuitry to the at least one unassociated device. The processing circuitry, based on at least part the information received via the wireless transceiver circuitry, makes at least a third selection from the plurality of power levels for transmissions by the wireless transceiver circuitry to the plurality of associated devices. 
     The third selection can include selecting a first transmission power level that reaches at least one of the plurality of associated devices but not at least one other of the plurality of associated devices, and selecting a second transmission power level that reaches the at least one other of the plurality of associated devices. The first selection and the second selection can correspond to a first power level, the third selection can correspond to a second power level, with the second power level being less than the first power level. The third selection can include a selection from the plurality of power levels for transmissions by the wireless transceiver circuitry that cannot be adequately received by at least one of the plurality of associated devices; and a fourth selection can include a selection from the plurality of power levels for transmissions by the wireless transceiver circuitry to the at least one of the plurality of associated devices that cannot adequately receive transmissions pursuant to the third selection. 
     In another mode of operation, an access point, such as access point  300 ′, manages communication exchanges between a plurality of wireless devices, such as client devices  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  400  and/or  400 ′, and a packet switched backbone network  101 . The access point includes interface circuitry, such as communication interface circuitry  308 , that communicatively couples with the packet switched backbone network  101 ; wireless transceiver circuitry, such as AP transceiver circuitry  302 ; processing circuitry, such as processing circuitry  304 , that is communicatively coupled to both the interface circuitry and the wireless transceiver circuitry, that receives via the wireless transceiver circuitry information from each of the plurality of wireless devices, such information comprising at least reception information related to transmissions from the wireless transceiver circuitry and from others of the plurality of wireless devices. In operation, the processing circuitry directs transmission of periodic beacons via the wireless transceiver circuitry. The processing circuitry, based on at least part the information received via the wireless transceiver circuitry, sends a first instruction identifying a plurality of transmission power levels for transmissions from each of at least one of the plurality of wireless devices. The processing circuitry, based on at least part the information received via the wireless transceiver circuitry, sends a second instruction identifying at least one transmission power level for transmissions from each of at least one other of the plurality of wireless devices. 
     The first instruction can identify a first of the plurality of transmission power levels for transmission of a first type, and a second of the plurality of transmissions for transmissions of a second type. Also, the first instruction can identify a first of the plurality of transmission power levels for some transmissions, and a second of the plurality of transmissions for other transmissions. The plurality of transmission power levels can include a first transmission power level capable of reaching all of the plurality of wireless devices; and a second transmission power level incapable of reaching all of the plurality of wireless devices. The processing circuitry, based on at least part the information received via the wireless transceiver circuitry, can select a plurality of access point transmission power levels for the wireless transceiver circuitry. 
     In a further mode of operation, access point  300 ′ and its associated client devices can operate using a plurality of different, and potentially complimentary, protocols having different protocol parameters. Access point  300 ′ can likewise select a particular one of a plurality of protocols that suits the particular conditions present in the wireless network  10 , as determined based on an assessment of utilization characteristics, status characteristics, mobility characteristics and/or reception characteristics. For instance, an access point can select from 802.11(n), 802.11(g) or 802.11(b) protocols having different protocol parameters, data rates, etc, based on the particular protocol best suited to accommodate the characteristics of the client devices that are present. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, one or more components of communication interface circuitry  308 , access point transceiver circuitry  302 , memory circuitry  306  and processing circuitry  304  are implemented on an integrated circuit. 
       FIG. 9  presents a pictorial representation of a wireless network  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention that provides a management application  225  in one of a plurality of terminals. A wireless network  10  includes terminals  400 ,  401  and  402  that are each capable of sending and receiving data from the other terminals over a wireless link. 
     Terminal  400  includes a management application  225  and terminals  400  and  402  include a client assessment application  404  that allows the selection of transmit power levels to promote effective communication, while reducing the power consumption of terminals. Each of the terminals  400 ,  401  and  402  are operable to assess the signals received from other devices over the wireless link. Terminals  401  and  402  generate data such as reception characteristics based on the assessed signals, battery life data based on estimates of power consumption, and other status, utilization and mobility characteristics based indicating how likely the signal strengths for a particular terminal may change due to movement, how it is being used and its other anticipated current, estimated or anticipated conditions. 
     Terminals  401  and  402  transmit these data over the wireless link to terminal  400 . Terminal  400 , determines a selected power level and particular protocols or protocol parameters for itself and for each other terminal, based on the data that it receives for each device, and transmits the selected power levels and protocol parameter(s) back to each corresponding device. The terminals  401  and  402  can then transmit at a power level and with a protocol that takes advantage of their particular circumstances, including their status in the overall wireless network  10 , and based on the positions and properties of the other terminals that are present. 
     In operation, terminal  400 , while not performing the specific functions of an access point, is capable of performing other features and functions of either access point  300  or access point  300 ′ discussed herein. In addition, terminals  401 , while not necessarily performing the functions of a client application, are capable of performing other features and functions of either client device  400  or client device  400 ′ discussed herein. 
     In another mode, all parameters are exchanged between every wireless terminal and the access point so that each can independently or cooperatively make transmission power control decisions. 
     For instance, a communication network such as wireless network  10  can include a first device such as terminal  400 , having a first wireless transceiver that transmits at a plurality of power levels, a second device, such as terminal  401  having a second wireless transceiver, and a third device, such as terminal  402  having a third wireless transceiver. The second device generates a first reception characteristic based on at least one transmission from the third wireless transceiver, and the second device transmits the first reception characteristic to the first wireless transceiver of the first device. The third device generates a second reception characteristic based on at least one transmission from the second wireless transceiver, and the third device transmits the second reception characteristic to the first wireless transceiver of the first device. The transmission from the third wireless transceiver can comprises either a portion of an ongoing data exchange or a portion of a test message. 
     The first device, based on the first reception characteristic, selects a first power level of the plurality of power levels for transmissions by the first transceiver circuitry to the third transceiver circuitry. The first device, based on the second reception characteristic, selects a second power level of the plurality of power levels for transmissions by the first transceiver circuitry to the second transceiver circuitry, and the first power level is greater than the second power level. 
     In another mode of operation, the first device is further operable to select the first power level of the plurality of power levels for third transmissions by the first transceiver circuitry to the third transceiver circuitry, and selects a third power level of the plurality of power levels for fourth transmissions by the first transceiver circuitry to the third transceiver circuitry, and the first power level is greater than the third power level. The first transmissions can include data packets and the second transmissions can include acknowledgement data that is based on data packets received by the first device from the second device. Alternatively, the first transmissions and the second transmission both includes acknowledgement data that is based on data packets received by the first device from the second device. Further, the first device circuitry can alternates between N first transmissions and M second transmissions, and N and M are both integers that are greater than zero. 
     In a further mode, the first and second devices transmit mobility characteristics, status characteristics, and utilization characteristics to the first device. The first device assesses at least a portion of the mobility, status and utilization characteristics along with the reception characteristic to generate the power levels for itself and for the second and third devices and for the protocol parameters used by these devices to format transmissions that are sent and to decode transmissions that are received. 
       FIG. 10  presents a flowchart representation of a method that can be used in a terminal, access point and/or an integrated circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functions presented in association with  FIGS. 1-9 . In step  500 , a first power level is selected for periodic beacon transmissions. In step  502 , reception characteristics, mobility characteristics, utilization characteristics, and status characteristics are received from one or more client devices over a wireless link. In step  504 , the signals received from one or more client devices over the wireless link are assessed and local reception characteristics is generated. Such signals are either test signals or part of ongoing communication exchanges. In step  506 , transmission power levels are determined for each of the client devices and for local use based on any part or all of the locally generated reception characteristics and the received mobility, reception, utilization, and status characteristics. In step  508 , transmissions are set, between the periodic beacon transmissions at both reduced power levels and the first power level to facilitate association by other client devices that may only be able to detect the first power level. This method is well suited for being implemented as operational instructions that are stored in a memory such as memory circuitry  306  and implemented using processing circuitry such as processing circuitry  304 . 
     For example, the status characteristics related to battery life might indicate one or more of the following: whether the client device is coupled to an external power source; the battery life for at least one selected power level; the battery life for at least one coding scheme; the battery life for at least one data rate; the battery life based on an estimated channel usage; the battery life based on an estimate of required deterministic bandwidth; and the battery life based on an estimate of non-deterministic bandwidth. The mobility characteristics might indicate, for example, one or more of the following: the client device is in a stationary condition; the client device is in a low mobility condition; the client device is in a high mobility condition; and a geographical coordinate of the client device. 
     The reception characteristics such as the assessment signal strength might include, for example, one or more of: a received signal strength indicator (RSSI); a signal to noise ratio; a noise parameter; an amount of bit errors; and a bit error rate (BER). In one mode of operation, a test packet such as an echo packet is transmitted to the client device where a reply packet is transmitted and received back. The number of bit errors or the BER for this particular packet can be calculated by comparing the received data to the data that was transmitted. 
     In further mode of operation, received data is assessed based on the payload of normal packets that are received. For instance, an error detecting code such as a linear block code, convolutional code or error correcting code can be used to determine the number of bit errors in the received data, within the coding limit of the particular code use. For instance, a (24,12) Golay code with optional CRC bit could detect up to 4 errors in a 24 bit coded word before the coding limit was reached. 
     In one mode of operation, step  506  implements a plurality of power management rules, based on the reception characteristics, and optionally the mobility characteristics, battery life data and the assessed strength of signals. These power management rules generate a selected power level for an access point (including a client device that performs the functions of an access point), based on factors such the type of transmission, the reception characteristics, status characteristics, utilization characteristics, mobility characteristics, and the particular target device for the transmission. For instance, the access point can transmit periodic beacons at a high power level that include information relating to the access point and the packet switched backbone network such as a service set identifier (SSID) that identifies the network, a beacon interval that identifies the time between the periodic beacon transmissions, a time stamp that indicates the time of the transmission, transmission rates that are supported by the access point, parameters sets pertaining to specific signaling methods such as channel number, hopping pattern, frequency hop dwell time etc., capability information relating to the requirements that client devices need to associate with the access point such as encryption and other privacy information, a traffic indication map that identifies stations in power saving mode, and/or other control information and data. These beacons are used to support new associations with client devices that enter the proximity of the access point or that otherwise become active within this proximity. In particular, these beacon signals are sent with an address field, such as a universal address, that addresses the beacon transmission to all client devices. A client device that wishes to associate (or reassociate) with the wireless network, detects the beacon transmission and responds with an association response transmission, including the SSID, that begins the association (or reassociation) process between the new client device and the access point. 
     The access point is further operable to transmit other network control and management information, such as association responses, reassociation responses, probe responses, clear to send signals, acknowledgements, power-save polls, contention-free end signals, and/or other information or data in packets or frames at reduced power levels in order to limit interference with neighboring networks, conserve power, etc. However, one or more other transmissions of the access point are sent between beacon transmissions at a higher power level to support associations or reassociations by client devices that can only detect the higher power level. While these frames or packets may be addressed to other client devices, a client device scanning to associate with a new wireless network, such as wireless network, can detect these packets or frames for the limited purposes of determining the timing, protocol or rate of these transmissions, determining the received power level and identifying other information pertaining to the network, such as the SSID, that is sufficient to produce an association request. In this fashion, new associations can be supported at a frequency that is greater than the frequency of the periodic beacon transmissions. 
     For example, the access point processing circuitry can assess both a first plurality of characteristics and a second plurality of characteristics received from two client devices associated therewith, and based on the assessment, select a second power level of the plurality of power levels for a first transmission of data packets by the access point transceiver circuitry, addressed to a first of the two client devices, and the first power level of the plurality of power levels for a second transmission by the access point transceiver circuitry, also addressed to the first of the two client devices, and the first power level is greater that the second power level. The first transmission can include data packets from the packet switched backbone network and the second transmission can include acknowledgement data that is based on data packets received by the access point transceiver circuitry from the first client transceiver circuitry. Alternatively, the first transmission and the second transmission can both include data packets from the packet switched backbone network. Further, the first transmissions and the second transmissions can both includes acknowledgement data that is based on data packets received by the access point transceiver circuitry from the first client transceiver circuitry. Based on these transmissions a third client device having third client transceiver circuitry that detects the second transmission, responds to the detection by determining the timing of the transmission and sends an association request transmission to the access point transceiver circuitry to initiate an association with the access point to couple the third client device to the packet switched backbone network via the access point transceiver circuitry, the access point processing circuitry, and the communication interface circuitry. In addition, the access point processing circuitry can select a third power level of the plurality of power levels for third transmissions by the access point transceiver circuitry to the second client transceiver circuitry and the first power level of the plurality of power levels for fourth transmissions by the access point transceiver circuitry to the second client transceiver circuitry, and the first power level is greater than the second power level, that is greater that the third power level. 
     The selection of the particular intermediate transmissions by the access point, that are between the periodic beacons and are sent at a high power level to support association by a client device, can be performed in several ways. For instance, transmissions of a particular type, such as the transmission of data packets or frames, acknowledgement packets or frames, or other types of control or management packets or frames can alternate between N transmissions at the reduced power level and M transmissions at the higher level, where N and M are integers that are greater than zero. For instance, 1 of 2, 1 of 3, 1 of 4, 1 of 6, or 1 of 16, etc., data frames or packets can be sent at the high power level with the other packets sent at the reduced power level. Or for instance, 1 of 2, 1 of 3, 1 of 4, 1 of 6, or 1 of 16, etc., acknowledgement frames or packets can be sent at the high power level with the other packets sent at the reduced power level. Alternatively, the access point can keep track of the timing between beacons to identify one or more periodic high-power transmission windows, such as midway between these beacons or equally spaced between these beacons. Transmissions of data, control or management packets or frames that occur during these high-power transmission windows are automatically transmitted at the high power level. 
     Reduced power levels are determined based on reception characteristics relating to how well the client devices, such as the client devices receive these beacon transmissions can be generated by the client assessment applications of these client devices and transmitted back to the access point. In response, the management application determines a customized power level for the access point to transmit to each client device, that may be reduced from the maximum power output, but that provides sufficient power to be received by that particular client device. The management application determines a high or intermediate power level that is sufficient to be received by all of the client devices associated with the network. Specific packets, such as all acknowledgements (ACKs), every other ACK, every nth ACK etc., all data packets, occasional data packets, etc. are transmitted by the access point at the high or intermediate power level that will reach all of the associated client devices, with the remaining packets transmitted at the power level that is customized for the particular client device to which the packets are addressed. 
     In a further mode of operation, these power management rules establish a selected power level for a plurality of client devices, that are equipped to receive the selected power level and to set the selected power level accordingly. The selected power levels are transmitted to the corresponding client devices. The selected power level for each client device can be a discrete variable that takes on one of a finite number of values. For example, through operation of the power management rules, the method can determine which of the client devices are not being heard by other client devices. In response, a selected power level can be established for such client devices to optionally boost the transmission power so that they will be heard by some or all of the remaining client devices. In addition, power management rules can reduce the power generated by a client device that is generating a stronger than necessary signal for being heard by the remaining client devices. 
     In a further example, an analysis of reception characteristics and battery life data may reveal that a client device is easily detected by each of the other devices and that it is running low on battery power. In response, a reduced power level can be selected for that device to extend its battery life. 
     In another example, an analysis of reception characteristics and mobility characteristics may reveal that a client device is highly mobile. Rather than relying solely on reception characteristics, the power management rules select a power level for an access point or client device that takes into consideration the client device&#39;s possible movement. 
     In addition, the protocol or protocols used in communicating between devices of the wireless network are adapted to the particular characteristics of the access point and the client devices. In one mode of operation, the method can selectively adjust one or more protocol parameters, such as the packet length, data rate, forward error correction, error detection, coding scheme, data payload length, contention period, and back-off parameters used in communication between devices, based on the analysis of information, such as the reception characteristics, status characteristics, utilization characteristics, and mobility characteristics of these devices. In this fashion, the protocol parameters can optionally be adapted based on the conditions of the network, including not only the mobility, utilization, status, and reception characteristics of a particular device, but the mobility, utilization, status, and reception characteristics of a plurality of devices, including how well each device receives transmissions from other devices. 
     As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the term “substantially” or “approximately”, as may be used herein, provides an industry-accepted tolerance to its corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to twenty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent to magnitude differences. As one of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate, the term “operably coupled”, as may be used herein, includes direct coupling and indirect coupling via another component, element, circuit, or module where, for indirect coupling, the intervening component, element, circuit, or module does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As one of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two elements in the same manner as “operably coupled”. As one of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate, the term “compares favorably”, as may be used herein, indicates that a comparison between two or more elements, items, signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal  1  has a greater magnitude than signal  2 , a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal  1  is greater than that of signal  2  or when the magnitude of signal  2  is less than that of signal  1 . 
     In preferred embodiments, the various circuit components are implemented using 0.35 micron or smaller CMOS technology. Provided however that other circuit technologies including other transistor, diode and resistive logic, both integrated or non-integrated, may be used within the broad scope of the present invention Likewise, various embodiments described herein can also be implemented as software programs running on a computer processor. It should also be noted that the software implementations of the present invention can be stored on a tangible storage medium such as a magnetic or optical disk, read-only memory or random access memory and also be produced as an article of manufacture. 
     As the term module is used in the description of the various embodiments of the present invention, a module includes a functional block that is implemented in hardware, software, and/or firmware that performs one or module functions such as the processing of an input signal to produce an output signal. As used herein, a module may contain submodules that themselves are modules. 
     Thus, there has been described herein an apparatus and method, as well as several embodiments including a preferred embodiment, for implementing a wireless network, access point, client device, integrated circuit. Various embodiments of the present invention herein-described have features that distinguish the present invention from the prior art. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than the preferred forms specifically set out and described above. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.