| abstract |
A novel and useful apparatus for and method of providing a low power IBSS mode of operation in an ad hoc WLAN. The low power IBSS mechanism enables extremely low power operation when used among stations that implement the mechanism. The mechanism allows the implementation of an IBSS network that is interoperable with standard WLAN IBSS implementations permitting IBSS networks that comprise a mix of stations that implement the mechanism of the present invention with those that do not. Stations synchronize with each other in a manner that takes advantage of the presence of any accurate timing sources, such as the GPS or cellular radio networks. A means is also provided for stations to both advertise the services they are able to support and to discover the services that other stations support in a quick and power efficient manner. |