Patent ID: 8270329

Claim:
A method comprising: receiving, at a first radio of a first network device, channel instructions to monitor at least one frequency channel, the channel instructions included in information received from a second network device, the first radio configured to be powered at least at three different power levels, a first power level characterized as at least equaling the power to enable the first radio to receive data communications over the at least one frequency channel, a second power level characterized as being less than the first power level and at least equaling the power to enable the first radio to monitor energy levels on the at least one frequency channel, and a third power level characterized as being less than the second power level; wherein powering the first radio in the third power level comprises: reducing an amount of energy consumption of the first radio, preventing the first radio from receiving a packet, and preventing the first radio from monitoring the energy level on the at least one frequency channel; monitoring, with the first radio, the energy levels of the at least one frequency channel, the first radio operating at the second power level; comparing, in the first device, a value of the energy level on the at least one frequency channel with a predetermined value; upon determining that the value of the energy level on the at least one frequency channel is less than the predetermined value: starting a counter in the first device, the counter being configured to count values for at least one of a piggyback period, a back-off period and a sleep period; measuring a piggyback period comprising at least one of a time a last data packet was received and a time the first radio was operating in at least one of the second power level and the third power level; powering the first radio in the third power level at an end of the piggyback period; upon duration of a sleep period, powering the first radio in the second power level; powering the first radio at the first power level for a period of time greater than a back-off period following receipt of the data communications over the at least one frequency channel; and transmitting one or more data packets over the at least one frequency channel following the receipt of at least one of the data packets.