Patent ID: 8295893

Claim:
A method for managing power consumption in a device, the method comprising: at a device having a carrier detector that performs a radio frequency carrier detection function: toggling a power setting of apparatus, which controls the carrier detector, between an on setting and an off setting, according to a first duty cycle having a fixed off-time duration and a first dwell time having a first dwell time duration, during which the radio frequency carrier detection function is performed; receiving at least one input that affects the radio frequency carrier detection function; changing the first duty cycle to a second duty cycle in response to the at least one input, wherein the second duty cycle has the same fixed off-time duration of the first duty cycle and a second dwell time having a second dwell time duration that is longer than the first dwell time duration, during which the radio frequency carrier detection function is performed; and toggling the power setting of the apparatus, which controls the carrier detector, between the on setting and the off setting, according to the second duty cycle.