초록 ▼

A wireless data communication system is operable in a power saving mode wherein stations are synchronized to be in an awake state to receive synchronizing messages (TIM, PSYNC) and traffic indicator information and are changed to a doze state if they are not to receive data messages. In one embodime

A wireless data communication system is operable in a power saving mode wherein stations are synchronized to be in an awake state to receive synchronizing messages (TIM, PSYNC) and traffic indicator information and are changed to a doze state if they are not to receive data messages. In one embodiment all stations (20) communicate via a base station access point (16), which broadcasts synchronizing messages (TIM) at regular intervals identifying stations (20) that are to receive data messages. In another embodiment all stations (220) communicate directly with one another, one station assumes the role of a master station and broadcasts synchronizing messages (PSYNC), and stations (220) desiring to transmit data messages transmit traffic indicator messages (PTIM) to the appropriate destination stations (220), in a synchronized awake period just before the next synchronizing message (PSYNC) is expected to arrive.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of operating a wireless data communication system including a plurality of wireless stations, comprising the steps of: broadcasting synchronizing messages from a selected station of the plurality of stations; identifying which of a number of non-selected stations of

What is claimed is: 1. A method of operating a wireless data communication system including a plurality of wireless stations, comprising the steps of: broadcasting synchronizing messages from a selected station of the plurality of stations; identifying which of a number of non-selected stations of the plurality of stations are to receive data messages by transmitting traffic indicator information from the selected station, wherein at least two non-selected stations were identified in the identifying step; operating the non-selected stations in an awake state of relatively high power consumption during the broadcasting step and the identifying step; changing the operating state of non-selected stations that were not identified in the identifying step to a doze state of relatively low power consumption after the broadcasting step and the identifying step is performed; maintaining all non-selected stations that were identified in the identifying step in the awake state for at least a time period beginning immediately after completion of the operating step so that one or more data messages are able to be transmitted to the non-selected stations which were identified in the identifying steps transmitting all data messages exchanged between the non-selected stations via the id="DEL-S-00001" date="20080122" selectionid="DEL-S-00001" id="INS-S-00001" date="20080122" selected id="INS-S-00001" station; including in the synchronizing messages destination identifying portions identifying non-selected stations that are to receive data messages; including in the synchronizing messages a count portion identifying the number of data messages to be transmitted to the respective non-selected stations that are to receive data messages; and returning the non-selected stations to the doze state after the respective number of data messages have been received. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the selected station is an access point communicating with a wired LAN. 3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of maintaining the non-selected stations that are to receive data messages in the awake state at least until the reception of a next one of the synchronizing messages. 4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting from the selected station traffic indicator messages identifying a source address of the selected station and a destination address of each data message to be sent from the selected station. 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the traffic indicator messages are transmitted when the selected station is in the awake state. 6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: operating the non-selected stations selectively in a power-save mode wherein the doze states and the awake states alternate, or in a continuous-active mode wherein the awake state is continuously effective. 7. A wireless data communication system, comprising: a selected wireless data communication station having a synchronizing timing means adapted to control transmission of synchronizing messages by said selected station; means for transmitting traffic indicator information, in association with the synchronizing messages, that identify data message destinations; a number of non-selected wireless data communication stations each having a switching means, a power supply, and a station transceiver means, wherein the switching means is adapted to control the power supply which is supplied to the station transceiver means so that the non-selected stations are controlled to be in an awake state of relatively high power consumption to receive the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator messages, and following receipt of the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information (1) any non-selected stations having no data messages destined therefor are changed to a doze state of relatively low power consumption, and (2) all non-selected stations having data messages destined therefor are maintained in the awake state for a time period beginning immediately after receiving the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator messages; wherein said selected station is an access point communicating with a backbone LAN, and further wherein the synchronizing messages include destination identifying portions identifying stations that are to receive data messages; and wherein the synchronizing messages include count information identifying the number of data messages to be transmitted to the respective non-selected stations, and further wherein the switching means is controlled to return the respective id="DEL-S-00002" date="20080122" non-selectiveid="DEL-S-00002" id="INS-S-00002" date="20080122" non-selected id="INS-S-00002" stations to the doze state when the specified number of data messages have been received. 8. A wireless data communication system according to claim 7, wherein the switching means of non-selected stations identified to receive data messages are controlled to remain in the awake state at least until a next one of the synchronizing messages has been received. 9. A wireless data communication system according to claim 7, wherein said selected station is adapted to transmit traffic indicator messages identifying a source address of the selected station and a destination address of each data message to be sent from the selected station. 10. A method of operating a wireless data communication system including a plurality of wireless data communication stations communicating directly in an ad-hoc network, wherein at least one of the plurality of wireless data communication stations acts as a master station and the remainder of the plurality of wireless data communication stations act as slave stations, said method comprising: broadcasting a synchronizing message by the master station in accordance with a synchronization timer, wherein the slave stations remain in an awake state; entering a doze state by the slave stations once the synchronizing message from the master station is received; transmitting a traffic message by a slave station that has messages to broadcast, if the slave station is in the awake state; wherein the traffic message is stored in a buffer of the slave station that has messages to broadcast and the traffic message is transmitted to all stations to which the slave station wishes to transmit, wherein a holdover timer ensures the slave station remains in the awake state until all the message are broadcast. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein if the slave station that has messages to broadcast is in the doze state, the slave station waits to transmit the traffic message until a doze timer expires. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the synchronizing messages include count information identifying the number of data messages to be transmitted to all stations to which the slave station wishes to transmit, and further all stations to which the slave station wishes to transmit are returned to the doze state when the messages have been received. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein a holdover timer permits the slave station that has messages to broadcast and all stations to which the slave station wishes to transmit to remain in the awake state been after a synchronizing message is received. 14. A wireless data communication system including a plurality of wireless data communication stations communicating directly in an ad-hoc network, wherein at least one of the plurality of wireless data communication stations acts as a master station and the remainder of the plurality of wireless data communication stations act as slave stations, wherein said system: said master station broadcasts a synchronizing message in accordance with a synchronization timer, wherein the slave stations remain in an awake state; said slave stations enter a doze state once the synchronizing message from the master station is received; a slave station than has messages to broadcast transmits a traffic message, if the slave station is in the awake state; wherein the traffic message is stored in a buffer of the slave station that has messages to broadcast and the traffic message is transmitted to all stations to which the slave station wishes to transit, wherein a holdover timer ensures the slave station remains in the awake state until all the message are broadcast. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein if the slave station that has messages to broadcast is in the doze state, the slave station waits to transmit the traffic message until a doze timer expires. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the synchronizing messages include count information identifying the number of data messages to be transmitted to all stations to which the slave station wishes to transmit, and further wherein all stations to which the slave station wishes to transmit are returned to the doze state when the specified number of data messages have been received. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein a holdover timer permits the slave station that has messages to broadcast and all stations to which the slave station wishes to transmit to remain in the awake state even after a synchronizing message is received. id="INS-S-00003" date="20080122" 18. A method of operating a wireless data communication system including a plurality of wireless stations, comprising the steps of: broadcasting synchronizing messages from a selected station of the plurality of stations; identifying which of a number of non-selected stations of the plurality of stations are to receive data messages by transmitting traffic indicator information from the selected station, wherein at least two non-selected stations were identified in the identifying step; operating the non-selected stations in an awake state of relatively high power consumption during the broadcasting step and the identifying step; changing the operating state of non-selected stations that were not identified in the identifying step to a doze state of relatively low power consumption after the broadcasting step and the identifying step is performed; maintaining all non-selected stations that were identified in the identifying step in the awake state for at least a time period beginning immediately after completion of the operating step so that one or more data messages are able to be transmitted to the non-selected stations which were identified in the identifying step; transmitting all data messages exchanged between the non-selected stations via the selected station; including in the synchronizing messages destination identifying portions identifying non-selected stations that are to receive data messages; further including in the synchronizing messages header portions and broadcast message indicator portions to be transmitted to the respective non-selected stations that are to receive data messages; and returning the non-selected stations to the doze state.id="INS-S-00003" id="INS-S-00004" date="20080122" 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said broadcast message indicator portions indicate that a broadcast message is buffered at the selected station.id="INS-S-00004" id="INS-S-00005" date="20080122" 20. The method of claim 18, further including in the synchronizing messages, a check portion.id="INS-S-00005" id="INS-S-00006" date="20080122" 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the check portion is a cyclic redundancy code (CRC).id="INS-S-00006" id="INS-S-00007" date="20080122" 22. A wireless data communication system, comprising: a selected wireless data communication station having a synchronizing timer adapted to control transmission of synchronizing messages by said selected station, wherein the selected station is adapted to transmit traffic indicator information, in association with the synchronizing messages, that identify data message destinations; and a number of non-selected wireless data communication stations each having a switching device, a power supply, and a station transceiver, wherein the switching device is adapted to control the power supply which is applied to the station transceiver so that the non-selected stations are controlled to be in an awake state of relatively high power consumption to receive the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information, and following receipt of the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information (1) any non-selected stations having no data messages destined therefor are changed to a doze state of relatively low power consumption, and (2) all non-selected stations having data messages destined therefor are maintained in the awake state for a time period beginning immediately after receiving the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information; wherein said selected station is an access point, and further wherein the synchronizing messages include destination identifying portions identifying stations that are to receive date messages; and wherein the synchronizing messages further include header portions and broadcast message indicator portions to be transmitted to the respective non-selected stations, and further wherein the switching device is controlled to return the respective non-selected stations to the doze state.id="INS-S-00007" id="INS-S-00008" date="20080122" 23. The wireless data communication system of claim 22, wherein said broadcast message indicator portions indicate that a broadcast message is buffered at the selected wireless data communication station.id="INS-S-00008" id="INS-S-00009" date="20080122" 24. The wireless data communication system of claim 22, wherein the synchronizing messages further include a check portion.id="INS-S-00009" id="INS-S-00010" date="20080122" 25. The wireless data communication system of claim 24, wherein the check portion is a cyclic redundancy code (CRC).id="INS-S-00010" id="INS-S-00011" date="20080122" 26. The wireless data communication system of claim 22, the selected station including an interval timer initiated after each transmission of a synchronizing message and such that the transmission of a new synchronizing message is initiated after expiry of the interval timer.id="INS-S-00011" id="INS-S-00012" date="20080122" 27. The wireless data communication system of claim 22, the selected station including a transceiver and a wireless transceiver, the transceiver adapted for connecting the selected station to a backbone LAN and the wireless transceiver adapted for connecting the selected station to a wireless LAN.id="INS-S-00012" id="INS-S-00013" date="20080122" 28. The wireless data communication system of claim 22, each non-selected wireless data communication station including a doze timer with a doze interval selected such that each non-selected wireless data communication station is in the awake state prior to the next synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00013" id="INS-S-00014" date="20080122" 29. The wireless data communication system of claim 22, wherein each non-selected wireless data communication station cannot receive or transmit messages in the doze state.id="INS-S-00014" id="INS-S-00015" date="20080122" 30. The wireless data communication system of claim 22, wherein power consumption in the doze state is up to 90% less than in the awake state.id="INS-S-00015" id="INS-S-00016" date="20080122" 31. A method of operating a mobile wireless station, comprising the steps of: receiving periodically transmitted synchronizing messages broadcast from an access point, the synchronizing messages including destination identifying portions, header portions and broadcast message indicator portions; determining whether the mobile wireless station is to receive a data message by receiving traffic indicator information transmitted from the access point; operating the mobile wireless station in an awake state of relatively high power consumption during the receiving step and the determining step; changing the operating state of the mobile wireless station of a doze state to relatively low power consumption after the receiving step and the determining step are performed if the mobile wireless station is not to receive a data message; and maintaining the operating state of both transmitter and receiver functions of the mobile wireless station in the awake state for at least a time period beginning immediately after completion of the operating step so that one or more data massages are able to be transmitted to the mobile wireless station if the mobile wireless station is to receive a data message, wherein: the mobile wireless station receives one or more data messages via the access point; and the mobile wireless station returns to the doze state after receiving the one or more data messages via the access point before receiving another synchronization message.id="INS-S-00016" id="INS-S-00017" date="20080122" 32. The method of claim 31, wherein after returning to the doze state, the mobile station returns to the awake state prior to the time that the next periodically transmitted synchronizing message is received.id="INS-S-00017" id="INS-S-00018" date="20080122" 33. The method of claim 31, further comprising: triggering a doze interval timer in the mobile wireless station upon receipt of the periodically transmitted synchronizing messages broadcast from the access point and returning the mobile wireless station to an awake state of relatively high power after the doze interval ends such that the mobile wireless station can receive the next periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00018" id="INS-S-00019" date="20080122" 34. A mobile wireless station, comprising: a station transceiver that receives and transmits messages; and a switching device that can switch the mobile wireless station between an awake state of relatively high power consumption so that the station transceiver is capable of receiving messages, and a doze state of relatively low power consumption, wherein the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to be in an awake stage to receive periodically transmitted synchronizing messages containing traffic indicator information from an access point, wherein the synchronizing messages further include header portions, broadcast message indicator portions, and destination identifying portions, and wherein the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to be in the doze state following receipt of the synchronizing messages if the traffic indicator information indicates that no data messages are to be transmitted by the access point to the mobile wireless station, and wherein the switching device causes both transmitter and receiver functions of the mobile wireless station to remain in the awake state for a time period beginning immediately after receiving the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information if the traffic indicator information indicates that data messages are to be transmitted by the access point to the mobile wireless station.id="INS-S-00019" id="INS-S-00020" date="20080122" 35. The mobile wireless station of claim 34, said switching device including, a switch adapted to couple power to the station transceiver, a power management circuit adapted to control the switch, and a doze timer adapted to cause the power management circuit to periodically initiate an awake state to receive the periodically transmitted synchronizing messages.id="INS-S-00020" id="INS-S-00021" date="20080122" 36. The mobile wireless station of claim 35, wherein the power management circuit wakes up the mobile wireless station after a doze interval of the doze timer ends so that the mobile wireless can receive the next periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00021" id="INS-S-00022" date="20080122" 37. The mobile wireless station of claim 35, the doze timer having a doze interval selected such that the mobile wireless station is in the awake state prior to the next periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00022" id="INS-S-00023" date="20080122" 38. The mobile wireless station of claim 37, wherein the mobile wireless station cannot receive or transmit messages in the doze state.id="INS-S-00023" id="INS-S-00024" date="20080122" 39. The mobile wireless station of claim 37, wherein power consumption in the doze state is up to 90% less than in the awake state.id="INS-S-00024" id="INS-S-00025" date="20080122" 40. A mobile wireless station, comprising: a station transceiver that receives and transmits messages; and a switching device that can switch the mobile wireless station between an awake state of relatively high power consumption so that the station transceiver is capable of receiving messages, and a doze state of relatively low power consumption, wherein the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to be in an awake state to receive periodically transmitted synchronizing messages containing traffic indicator information from an access point, wherein the synchronizing messages further include header portions, broadcast message indicator portions, and destination identifying portions, and wherein the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to be in the doze state following receipt of the synchronizing messages if the traffic indicator information indicates that no data messages are to be transmitted by the access point to the mobile wireless station, and wherein the switching device causes both transmitter and receiver functions of the mobile wireless station to remain in the awake state for a time period beginning immediately after receiving the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information if the traffic indicator information indicates that data messages are to be transmitted by the access point to the mobile wireless station.id="INS-S-00025" id="INS-S-00026" date="20080122" 41. The mobile wireless station of claim 40, said switching device including, a switch adapted to couple power to the station transceiver, a power management circuit adapted to control the switch, and a doze timer adapted to cause the power management circuit to periodically initiate an awake state to receive the periodically transmitted synchronizing messages.id="INS-S-00026" id="INS-S-00027" date="20080122" 42. The mobile wireless station of claim 41, wherein the power management circuit wakes up the mobile wireless station after a doze interval of the doze timer ends so that the mobile wireless can receive the next periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00027" id="INS-S-00028" date="20080122" 43. The mobile wireless station of claim 41, the doze timer having a doze interval selected such that the mobile wireless station is in the awake state prior to the next periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00028" id="INS-S-00029" date="20080122" 44. The mobile wireless station of claim 43, wherein the mobile wireless station cannot receive or transmit messages in the doze state.id="INS-S-00029" id="INS-S-00030" date="20080122" 45. The mobile wireless station of claim 43, wherein power consumption in the doze state is up to 90% less than in the awake state.id="INS-S-00030" id="INS-S-00031" date="20080122" 46. A method of operating a wireless data communication system including a plurality of wireless stations, comprising the steps of: broadcasting synchronizing messages from a selected station of the plurality of stations; identifying which of a number of non-selected stations of the plurality of stations are to receive data messages by transmitting traffic indicator information from the selected station, wherein at least two non-selected stations were identified in the identifying step; operating the non-selected stations in an awake state of relatively high power consumption during the broadcasting step and the identifying step; changing the operating state of non-selected stations that were not identified in the identifying step to a doze state of relatively low power consumption after the broadcasting step and the identifying step is performed; maintaining all non-selected stations that were identified in the identifying step in the awake state for at least a time period beginning immediately after completion of the operating step so that one or more data messages are able to be transmitted to the non-selected stations which were identified in the identifying steps transmitting all data messages exchanged between the non-selected stations via the selected station; including in the synchronizing messages destination identifying portions identifying non-selected stations that are to receive data messages; further including in the synchronizing messages header portions and broadcast message indicator portions, to be transmitted to the respective non-selected that are to receive data messages; and returning the non-selected stations to the doze state after indicating such a mode change to the selected station.id="INS-S-00031" id="INS-S-00032" date="20080122" 47. A wireless data communication system, comprising: a selected wireless data communication station having a synchronizing timer adapted to control transmission of synchronizing messages by said selected station, wherein the selected station is adapted to transmit traffic indicator information, in association with the synchronizing messages, that identify data message destinations; and a number of non-selected wireless data communication stations each having a switching device, a power supply, and a station transceiver, wherein the switching device is adapted to control the power supply which is applied to the station transceiver so that the non-selected stations are controlled to be in an awake state of relatively high power consumption to receive the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information, and following receipt of the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information (1) any non-selected stations having no data messages destined therefor are changed to a doze state of relatively low power consumption, and (2) all non-selected stations having data messages destined therefor are maintained in the awake state for a time period beginning immediately after receiving the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information; wherein said selected station is an access point, and further wherein the synchronizing messages include destination identifying portions identifying stations that are to receive data messages; and wherein the synchronizing messages further include header portions and broadcast message indicator portions, to be transmitted to the respective non-selected stations that are to receive data messages, and further wherein the switching divide is controlled to return the respective non-selected stations to the doze state after indicating such a mode change to the selected station.id="INS-S-00032" id="INS-S-00033" date="20080122" 48. The wireless data communication system of claim 47, the selected station including an interval timer initiated after each transmission of a synchronizing message and such that the transmission of a new synchronizing message is initiated after expiry of the interval timer.id="INS-S-00033" id="INS-S-00034" date="20080122" 49. The wireless data communication system of claim 47, the selected station including a transceiver and a wireless transceiver, the transceiver adapted for connecting the selected station to a backbone LAN and the wireless transceiver adapted for connecting the selected station to a wireless LAN.id="INS-S-00034" id="INS-S-00035" date="20080122" 50. The wireless data communication system of claim 47, each non-selected wireless data communication station including a doze timer with a doze interval selected such that each non-selected wireless data communication station is in the awake state prior to the next synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00035" id="INS-S-00036" date="20080122" 51. The wireless data communication system of claim 47, wherein each non-selected wireless data communication station cannot receive or transmit messages in the doze state.id="INS-S-00036" id="INS-S-00037" date="20080122" 52. The wireless data communication system of claim 47, wherein power consumption in the doze state is up to 90% less than in the awake state.id="INS-S-00037" id="INS-S-00038" date="20080122" 53. A method of operating a mobile wireless station, comprising the steps of: receiving periodically transmitted synchronizing messages broadcast from an access point; determining whether the mobile wireless station is to receive a data message by receiving traffic indicator information transmitted from the access point; operating in an awake state of relatively high power consumption during the receiving step and the determining step; changing the operating state to a doze state of relatively low power consumption after the receiving step and the determining step are performed if the mobile wireless station is not to receive a data message; and maintaining the operating state of both transmitter and receive functions of the mobile wireless station in the awake state for at least a time period beginning immediately after completion of the operating step so that one or more data messages are able to be transmitted to the mobile wireless station if the mobile wireless station is to receive a data message wherein the mobile wireless station receives one or more data messages via the access point and remains in the awake state at least until the next synchronization message is received.id="INS-S-00038" id="INS-S-00039" date="20080122" 54. A mobile wireless station, comprising: a station transceiver that receives and transmits messages; and a switching device, that can switch the mobile wireless station between an awake state of relatively high power consumption so that the station transceiver is capable of receiving messages, and a doze state of relatively low power consumption wherein the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to be in an awake state to receive periodically transmitted synchronizing messages containing traffic indicator information from an access point; wherein the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to be in the doze state following receipt of the periodically transmitted synchronizing messages if the traffic indicator information indicates that no data messages are to be transmitted by the access point to the mobile wireless station and wherein the switching device causes both transmitter and receiver functions of the mobile wireless station to remain in an awake state until the next synchronizing message is received if the mobile wireless station has received a message in the current synchronizing period.id="INS-S-00039" id="INS-S-00040" date="20080122" 55. The mobile wireless station of claim 54, said switching device including, a switch adapted to couple power to the station transceiver, a power management circuit adapted to control the switch, and a doze timer adapted to cause the power management circuit to periodically initiate an awake state to receive the periodically transmitted synchronizing messages.id="INS-S-00040" id="INS-S-00041" date="20080122" 56. The mobile wireless station of claim 55, wherein the power management circuit wakes up the mobile wireless station after a doze interval of the doze timer ends so that the mobile wireless can receive the next periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00041" id="INS-S-00042" date="20080122" 57. The mobile wireless station of claim 55, the doze timer having a doze interval selected such that the mobile wireless station is in the awake state prior to the next periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00042" id="INS-S-00043" date="20080122" 58. The mobile wireless station of claim 57, wherein the mobile wireless station cannot receive or transmit messages in the doze state.id="INS-S-00043" id="INS-S-00044" date="20080122" 59. The mobile wireless station of claim 57, wherein power consumption in the doze state is up to 90% less than in the awake state.id="INS-S-00044" id="INS-S-00045" date="20080122" 60. A mobile wireless station, comprising: a station transceiver that receives and transmits messages; and a switching device, that can switch the mobile wireless station between an awake state of relatively high power consumption so that the station transceiver is capable of receiving messages, and a doze state of relatively low power consumption wherein the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to be in an awake state to receive periodically transmitted synchronizing messages containing traffic indicator information from an access point; wherein the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to be in the doze state following receipt of the periodically transmitted synchronizing messages if the traffic indicator information indicates that no data messages are to be transmitted by the access point to the mobile wireless station and wherein the switching device causes both transmitter and receiver functions of the mobile wireless station to remain in an awake state until the next synchronizing message is received if the mobile wireless station has received a message in the current synchronizing period.id="INS-S-00045" id="INS-S-00046" date="20080122" 61. The mobile wireless station of claim 60, said switching device including, a switch adapted to couple power to the station transceiver, a power management circuit adapted to control the switch, and a doze timer adapted to cause the power management circuit to periodically initiate an awake state to receive the periodically transmitted synchronizing messages.id="INS-S-00046" id="INS-S-00047" date="20080122" 62. The mobile wireless station of claim 61, wherein the power management circuit wakes up the mobile wireless station after a doze interval of the doze timer ends so that the mobile wireless can receive the next periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00047" id="INS-S-00048" date="20080122" 63. The mobile wireless station of claim 61, the doze timer having a doze interval selected such that the mobile wireless station is in the awake state prior to the next periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00048" id="INS-S-00049" date="20080122" 64. The mobile wireless station of claim 63, wherein the mobile wireless station cannot receive or transmit messages in the doze state.id="INS-S-00049" id="INS-S-00050" date="20080122" 65. The mobile wireless station of claim 63, wherein power consumption in the doze state is up to 90% less than in the awake state.id="INS-S-00050" id="INS-S-00051" date="20080122" 66. A method of operating a wireless data communication system including a plurality of wireless stations, comprising the steps of: broadcasting synchronizing messages from a selected station of the plurality of stations; identifying which of a number of non-selected stations of the plurality of stations are to receive data messages by transmitting traffic indicator information from the selected station, wherein at least two non-selected stations were identified in the identifying step; operating the non-selected stations in an awake state of relatively high power consumption during the broadcasting step and the identifying step; changing the operating state of non-selected stations that were not identified in the identifying step to a doze state of relatively low power consumption after the broadcasting step and the identifying step is performed; maintaining all non-selected stations that were identified in the identifying step in the awake state for at least a time period beginning immediately after completion of the operating step so that one or more data messages are able to be transmitted to the non-selected stations which were identified in the identifying steps transmitting all data messages exchanged between the non-selected stations via the selected station; including in the synchronizing messages destination identifying portions identifying non-selected stations that are to receive data messages; further including in the synchronizing messages message indicator portions indicating that additional messages await transmission to the respective non-selected stations that are to receive data messages; and returning the non-selected stations to the doze state when the respective non-selected stations that are to receive data messages determine that no additional data messages await.id="INS-S-00051" id="INS-S-00052" date="20080122" 67. A method of operating a wireless data communication system, comprising the steps of: broadcasting periodically transmitted synchronizing messages from an access point to a plurality of mobile stations, operating the plurality of mobile stations in an awake state of relatively high power consumption during the broadcasting step; identifying which of the plurality of mobile stations are to receive data messages; changing the operating state of the mobile stations that were not identified to a doze state of relatively low power consumption after the broadcasting step and identifying steps are performed; maintaining the mobile stations that were identified in the awake state for at least a time period beginning immediately after completion of the operating step so that one or more data messages are able to be transmitted to the mobile stations that were identified; transmitting all data messages for the mobile stations that were identified via the access point; returning the mobile stations that were identified to the doze state when the mobile stations that were identified determine that no additional data messages await, wherein both transmitter and receiver functions of each identified station are maintained in the awake state for at least the time period beginning immediately after the completion of the operating step.id="INS-S-00052" id="INS-S-00053" date="20080122" 68. The method of claim 67, wherein the identifying step utilizes destination identifying information to identify which of the plurality of mobile stations are to receive data messages from the access point.id="INS-S-00053" id="INS-S-00054" date="20080122" 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the destination identifying information is contained in the periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00054" id="INS-S-00055" date="20080122" 70. The method of claim 67, wherein the returning step utilizes a message indicator portion to determine that no additional messages await transmission to the mobile stations that were identified.id="INS-S-00055" id="INS-S-00056" date="20080122" 71. The method of claim 70, wherein the message indicator portion is contained in the periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00056" id="INS-S-00057" date="20080122" 72. The method of claim 71, wherein the message indicator portion is a count portion identifying the number of messages the mobile stations that were identified are to receive.id="INS-S-00057" id="INS-S-00058" date="20080122" 73. A wireless data communication system, comprising: a selected wireless data communication station having a synchronizing timer adapted to control transmission of synchronizing messages by said selected station, wherein the selected station is adapted to transmit traffic indicator information, in association with the synchronizing messages, that identify data messages destinations; and a number of non-selected wireless data communication stations each having a switching device, a power supply, and a station transceiver, wherein the switching device is adapted to control the power supply which is applied to the station transceiver so that the non-selected stations are controlled to be in an awake state of relatively high power consumption to receive the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information, and following receipt of the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information (1) any non-selected stations having no data messages destined therefor are changed to a doze state of relatively low power consumption, and (2) all non-selected stations having data messages destined therefor are maintained in the awake state for a time period beginning immediately after receiving the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information; wherein said selected station is an access point, and further wherein the synchronizing messages include destination identifying portions identifying stations that are to receive data messages; and wherein the synchronizing messages message indicator portions indicating the additional messages await transmission to the respective non-selected stations, and further wherein the switching device is controlled to return the respective non-selected station to the doze state when the respective non-selected station that is to receive one or more data messages determines that no additional data messages await.id="INS-S-00058" id="INS-S-00059" date="20080122" 74. The wireless data communication system of claim 73, the selected station including an interval timer initiated after each transmission of a synchronizing message and such that the transmission of a new synchronizing message is initiated after expiry of the interval timer.id="INS-S-00059" id="INS-S-00060" date="20080122" 75. The wireless data communication system of claim 73, the selected station including a transceiver and a wireless transceiver, the transceiver adapted for connecting the selected station to a backbone LAN and the wireless transceiver adapted for connecting the selected station to a wireless LAN.id="INS-S-00060" id="INS-S-00061" date="20080122" 76. The wireless data communication system of claim 73, each non-selected wireless data communication station including a doze timer with a doze interval selected such that each non-selected wireless data communication station is in the awake state prior to the next synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00061" id="INS-S-00062" date="20080122" 77. The wireless data communication system of claim 73, wherein each non-selected wireless data communication station cannot receive or transmit messages in the doze state.id="INS-S-00062" id="INS-S-00063" date="20080122" 78. The wireless data communication system of claim 73, wherein power consumption in the doze state is up to 90% less than in the awake state.id="INS-S-00063" id="INS-S-00064" date="20080122" 79. A wireless data communication system, comprising: an access point, broadcasting periodically transmitted synchronizing messages; a plurality of mobile stations, receiving the periodically transmitted synchronizing messages broadcast by the access point, the plurality of mobile stations operating in an awake state of relatively high power consumption during broadcasting by the access point, the plurality of mobile stations identifying which are to receive data messages, wherein the plurality of mobile stations that were not identified change to a doze state of relatively low power consumption and the plurality of mobile stations that were identified stay in the awake state for a time period beginning immediately after receiving each synchronizing message so that one or more data messages are able to be transmitted to the plurality of mobile stations that were identified; the access point transmitting all data messages for the plurality of mobile stations that were identified; the mobile stations that were identified returning to the doze state when the mobile stations that were identified determine that no additional data messages await; and both transmitter and receiver functions of each identified mobile station stay in the awake state for the time period beginning immediately after receiving each synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00064" id="INS-S-00065" date="20080122" 80. The wireless data communication system of claim 79, wherein the plurality of mobile stations utilize destination identifying information to identify which of the plurality of mobile stations are to receive data messages from the access point.id="INS-S-00065" id="INS-S-00066" date="20080122" 81. The wireless data communication system of claim 80, wherein the destination identifying information is contained in the periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00066" id="INS-S-00067" date="20080122" 82. The wireless data communication system of claim 79, wherein the mobile stations that were identified utilize a message indicator portion to determine that no additional messages await transmission to the mobile stations that were identified.id="INS-S-00067" id="INS-S-00068" date="20080122" 83. The wireless data communication system of claim 82, wherein the message indicator portion is contained in the periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00068" id="INS-S-00069" date="20080122" 84. The wireless data communication system of claim 83, wherein the message indicator portion is a count portion identifying the number of messages the mobile stations that were identified are to receive.id="INS-S-00069" id="INS-S-00070" date="20080122" 85. The wireless data communication system of claim 79, the access point including an interval timer initiated after each transmission of a synchronizing message and such that the transmission of a new synchronizing message is initiated after expiry of the interval timer.id="INS-S-00070" id="INS-S-00071" date="20080122" 86. The wireless data communication system of claim 79, the access point including a transceiver and a wireless transceiver, the transceiver adapted for connecting the access point to a backbone LAN and the wireless transceiver adapted for connecting the access point to a wireless LAN.id="INS-S-00071" id="INS-S-00072" date="20080122" 87. The wireless data communication system of claim 79, each mobile station including a doze timer with a doze interval selected such that each mobile station is in the awake state prior to the next synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00072" id="INS-S-00073" date="20080122" 88. The wireless data communication system of claim 79, wherein each mobile station cannot receive or transmit messages in the doze state.id="INS-S-00073" id="INS-S-00074" date="20080122" 89. The wireless data communication system of claim 79, wherein power consumption in the doze state is up to 90% less than in the awake state.id="INS-S-00074" id="INS-S-00075" date="20080122" 90. A method of operating a mobile wireless station, comprising the steps of: receiving synchronizing messages broadcast from an access point, the synchronizing messages including message indicator portions indicating that additional messages await transmission to the mobile wireless station; determining whether the mobile wireless station is to receive a data message by receiving and processing traffic indicator information from the access point; operating in an awake state of relatively high power consumption during the receiving step and the determining step; changing the operating state to a doze state of relatively low power consumption after the receiving step and the determining step are performed if the mobile wireless station is not to receive a data message; and maintaining the operating state of both transmitter and receiver functions of the mobile wireless station in the awake state for at least a time period beginning immediately after completion of the operating step so that one or more data messages are able to be transmitted to the mobile wireless station if the mobile wireless station is to receive a data message, wherein the mobile wireless station receives one or more data messages from the access point and returns to the doze state when the mobile wireless station determines that no additional data messages await.id="INS-S-00075" id="INS-S-00076" date="20080122" 91. A method of operating a mobile wireless station, comprising the steps of: receiving periodically transmitted synchronizing messages from an access point, operating in an awake state of relatively high power consumption during the receiving step; identifying whether the mobile wireless station is to receive data messages; changing the operating state of the mobile wireless station to doze stage of relatively low power consumption after the receiving step and identifying steps are performed if the mobile wireless station is not to receive a data message; and maintaining both transmitter and receiver functions of the mobile wireless station in the awake state for at least a time period beginning immediately after completion of the operating step so that one or more data messages are able to be transmitted to the mobile wireless station if the mobile wireless station is to receive a data message, wherein the mobile wireless station receives one or more data messages via the access point and returns to the doze state when the mobile wireless station determines that no additional data messages await.id="INS-S-00076" id="INS-S-00077" date="20080122" 92. The method of claim 91, wherein the identifying step utilizes destination identifying information to identify whether the mobile wireless station is to receive data messages from the access point.id="INS-S-00077" id="INS-S-00078" date="20080122" 93. The method of claim 92, wherein the destination identifying information is contained in the periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00078" id="INS-S-00079" date="20080122" 94. The method of claim 91, wherein the returning step utilizes a message indicator portion to determine that no additional messages await transmission to the mobile wireless station.id="INS-S-00079" id="INS-S-00080" date="20080122" 95. The method of claim 94, wherein the message indicator portion is contained in the periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00080" id="INS-S-00081" date="20080122" 96. The method of claim 95, wherein the message indicator portion is a count portion identifying the number of messages the mobile wireless station is to receive.id="INS-S-00081" id="INS-S-00082" date="20080122" 97. A mobile wireless station, comprising: a station transceiver adapted to receive and transmit messages; and a switching device, adapted to control the power received by the station transceiver so that the mobile wireless station is controlled to be in an awake state of relatively high power consumption to receive synchronizing messages and traffic indicator information from an access point, wherein the synchronizing messages further include message indicator portions indicating that additional data messages await transmission to the mobile wireless station; and following receipt of the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information, if the mobile wireless station has no data messages destined therefore, the switching device changes to a doze state of relatively low power consumption, and if the mobile wireless station has data messages destined therefore, the switching device maintains both transmitter and receiver functions of the mobile wireless station in the awake state for a time period beginning immediately after receiving the synchronizing messages and the traffic indicator information; and wherein the switching device is controllable to return the mobile wireless station to the doze state when the mobile wireless station determines that no additional data messages await.id="INS-S-00082" id="INS-S-00083" date="20080122" 98. The mobile wireless station of claim 97, the mobile wireless station including a doze timer having a doze interval selected such that the mobile wireless station is in the awake state prior to the next periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00083" id="INS-S-00084" date="20080122" 99. The mobile wireless station of claim 97, wherein the mobile wireless station cannot receive or transmit messages in the doze state.id="INS-S-00084" id="INS-S-00085" date="20080122" 100. The mobile wireless station of claim 97, wherein power consumption in the doze state is up to 90% less than in the awake state.id="INS-S-00085" id="INS-S-00086" date="20080122" 101. A mobile wireless station, comprising: a station transceiver that receives and transmits messages; and a switching device that can switch the mobile wireless station between an awake state of relatively high power consumption so that the station transceiver is capable of receiving messages, and a doze state of relatively low power consumption, wherein the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to be in an awake state to receive periodically transmitted synchronizing messages, and wherein the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to be in the doze state following receipt of the synchronizing messages if no data messages are to be transmitted by an access point to the mobile wireless station, the switching device causes both transmitter and receiver functions of the mobile wireless station to remain in the awake state if data messages are to be transmitted by the access point to the mobile wireless station, and the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to return to the doze state when the mobile wireless station determines that no additional data messages await.id="INS-S-00086" id="INS-S-00087" date="20080122" 102. The mobile wireless station of claim 101, wherein the switching device utilizes destination identifying information to determine whether the mobile wireless station is to receive data messages from the access point.id="INS-S-00087" id="INS-S-00088" date="20080122" 103. The mobile wireless station of claim 102, wherein the destination identifying information is contained in the periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00088" id="INS-S-00089" date="20080122" 104. The mobile wireless station of claim 101, wherein the switching device utilizes a message indicator portion to determine that no additional messages await transmission to the mobile wireless station.id="INS-S-00089" id="INS-S-00090" date="20080122" 105. The mobile wireless station of claim 104, wherein the message indicator portion is contained in the periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00090" id="INS-S-00091" date="20080122" 106. The mobile wireless station of claim 105, wherein the message indicator portion is a count portion identifying the number of messages the mobile wireless station is to receive.id="INS-S-00091" id="INS-S-00092" date="20080122" 107. The mobile wireless station of claim 101, the mobile wireless station including a doze timer having a doze interval selected such that the mobile wireless station is in the awake state prior to the next periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00092" id="INS-S-00093" date="20080122" 108. The mobile wireless station of claim 101, wherein the mobile wireless station cannot receive or transmit messages in the doze state.id="INS-S-00093" id="INS-S-00094" date="20080122" 109. The mobile wireless station of claim 101, wherein power consumption in the doze state is up to 90% less than in the awake state.id="INS-S-00094" id="INS-S-00095" date="20080122" 110. A mobile wireless station, comprising: a station transceiver that receives and transmits messages; and switching device that can switch the mobile wireless station between an awake state of relatively high power consumption so that the station transceiver is capable of receiving messages, and a doze state of relatively low power consumption, wherein the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to be in an awake state to receive periodically transmitted synchronizing messages, and wherein the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to be in the doze state following receipt of the synchronizing messages if no data messages are to be transmitted by an access point to the mobile wireless station, the switching device causes both transmitter and receiver functions of the mobile wireless station to remain in the awake state if data messages are to be transmitted by the access point to the mobile wireless station, and the switching device causes the mobile wireless station to return to the doze state when the mobile wireless station determines that no additional data messages await.id="INS-S-00095" id="INS-S-00096" date="20080122" 111. The mobile wireless station of claim 110, wherein the switching device utilizes destination identifying information to determine whether the mobile wireless station is to receive data messages from the access point.id="INS-S-00096" id="INS-S-00097" date="20080122" 112. The mobile wireless station of claim 111, wherein the destination identifying information is contained in the periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00097" id="INS-S-00098" date="20080122" 113. The mobile wireless station of claim 110, wherein the switching device utilizes a message indicator portion to determine that no additional messages await transmission to the mobile wireless station.id="INS-S-00098" id="INS-S-00099" date="20080122" 114. The mobile wireless station of claim 113, wherein the message indicator portion is contained in the periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00099" id="INS-S-00100" date="20080122" 115. The mobile wireless station of claim 114, wherein the message indicator portion is a count portion identifying the number of messages the mobile wireless station is to receive.id="INS-S-00100" id="INS-S-00101" date="20080122" 116. The mobile wireless station of claim 110, the mobile wireless station including a doze timer having a doze interval selected such that the mobile wireless station is in the awake state prior to the next periodically transmitted synchronizing message.id="INS-S-00101" id="INS-S-00102" date="20080122" 117. The mobile wireless station of claim 110, wherein the mobile wireless station cannot receive or transmit messages in the doze state.id="INS-S-00102" id="INS-S-00103" date="20080122" 118. The mobile wireless station of claim 110, wherein power consumption in the doze state is up to 90% less than in the awake state.id="INS-S-00103" id="INS-S-00104" date="20080122" 119. The wireless data communication system of claim 22, wherein the access point is adapted to communicate with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00104" id="INS-S-00105" date="20080122" 120. The method of claim 31, wherein the access point is communicating with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00105" id="INS-S-00106" date="20080122" 121. The mobile wireless station of claim 34, wherein the access point is adapted to communicate with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00106" id="INS-S-00107" date="20080122" 122. The mobile wireless station of claim 40, wherein the access point is adapted to communicate with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00107" id="INS-S-00108" date="20080122" 123. The wireless data communication system of claim 47, wherein the access point is adapted to communicate with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00108" id="INS-S-00109" date="20080122" 124. The method of claim 53, wherein the access point is communicating with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00109" id="INS-S-00110" date="20080122" 125. The mobile wireless station of claim 54, wherein the access point is adapted to communicate with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00110" id="INS-S-00111" date="20080122" 126. The mobile wireless station of claim 60, wherein the access point is adapted to communicate with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00111" id="INS-S-00112" date="20080122" 127. The method of claim 67, wherein the access point is communicating with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00112" id="INS-S-00113" date="20080122" 128. The wireless data communication system of claim 73, wherein the access point is adapted to communicate with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00113" id="INS-S-00114" date="20080122" 129. The wireless data communication system of claim 79, wherein the access point is adapted to communicate with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00114" id="INS-S-00115" date="20080122" 130. The method of claim 90, wherein the access point is communicating with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00115" id="INS-S-00116" date="20080122" 131. The method of claim 91, wherein the access point is communicating with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00116" id="INS-S-00117" date="20080122" 132. The mobile wireless station of claim 97, wherein the access point is adapted to communicate with a backbone LAN.id="INS-S-00117" id="INS-S-00118" date="20080122" 133. The method of claim 18, wherein both transmitter and receiver functions of each identified non-selected station are maintained in the awake state for at least the time period beginning immediately after the completion of the operating step.id="INS-S-00118" id="INS-S-00119" date="20080122" 134. The method of claim 133, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00119" id="INS-S-00120" date="20080122" 135. The wireless data communication system of claim 22, wherein both transmitter and receiver functions of each non-selected station having one or more data messages destined therefor are maintained in the awake state for the time period beginning immediately after receiving each synchronizing message and the associated traffic indicator information.id="INS-S-00120" id="INS-S-00121" date="20080122" 136. The wireless data communication system of claim 135, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00121" id="INS-S-00122" date="20080122" 137. The method of claim 31, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00122" id="INS-S-00123" date="20080122" 138. The mobile wireless station of claim 34, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00123" id="INS-S-00124" date="20080122" 139. The mobile wireless station of claim 40, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00124" id="INS-S-00125" date="20080122" 140. The method of claim 46, wherein both transmitter and receiver functions of each identified non-selected station are maintained in the awake state for at least the time period beginning immediately after the completion of the operating step.id="INS-S-00125" id="INS-S-00126" date="20080122" 141. The method of claim 140, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00126" id="INS-S-00127" date="20080122" 142. The wireless data communication system of claim 47, wherein both transmitter and receiver functions of each non-selected station having one or more data messages destined therefor are maintained in the awake state for the time period beginning immediately after receiving each synchronizing message and the associated traffic indicator information.id="INS-S-00127" id="INS-S-00128" date="20080122" 143. The wireless data communication system of claim 142, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00128" id="INS-S-00129" date="20080122" 144. The method of claim 53, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00129" id="INS-S-00130" date="20080122" 145. The mobile wireless station of claim 54, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00130" id="INS-S-00131" date="20080122" 146. The mobile wireless station of claim 60, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00131" id="INS-S-00132" date="20080122" 147. The method of claim 66, wherein both transmitter and receiver functions of each identified non-selected station are maintained in the awake state for at least the time period beginning immediately after the completion of the operating step.id="INS-S-00132" id="INS-S-00133" date="20080122" 148. The method of claim 147, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00133" id="INS-S-00134" date="20080122" 149. The method of claim 67, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00134" id="INS-S-00135" date="20080122" 150. The wireless data communications system of claim 73, wherein both transmitter and receiver functions of each non-selected station having one or more data messages destined therefor are maintained in the awake state for the time period beginning immediately after receiving each synchronizing message and the associated traffic indicator information.id="INS-S-00135" id="INS-S-00136" date="20080122" 151. The wireless data communication system of claim 150, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00136" id="INS-S-00137" date="20080122" 152. The wireless data communication system of claim 79, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00137" id="INS-S-00138" date="20080122" 153. The method of claim 90, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00138" id="INS-S-00139" date="20080122" 154. The method of claim 91, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00139" id="INS-S-00140" date="20080122" 155. The mobile wireless station of claim 97, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00140" id="INS-S-00141" date="20080122" 156. The mobile wireless station of claim 101, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00141" id="INS-S-00142" date="20080122" 157. The mobile wireless station of claim 110, wherein the transmitter and receiver functions are implemented by a transceiver that is fully powered during the awake state.id="INS-S-00142" id="INS-S-00143" date="20080122" 158. The method of claim 18, wherein the time period extends at least until the identified non-selected station receives a data message from the selected station.id="INS-S-00143" id="INS-S-00144" date="20080122" 159. The method of claim 158, wherein the time period extends at least until the identified non-selected station receives the next synchronizing message from the selected station.id="INS-S-00144" id="INS-S-00145" date="20080122" 160. The wireless data communication system of claim 22, wherein the time period extends at least until the non-selected station receives a data message from the selected station.id="INS-S-00145" id="INS-S-00146" date="20080122" 161. The wireless data communication system of claim 160, wherein the time period extends at least until the non-selected station receives the next synchronizing message from the selected station.id="INS-S-00146" id="INS-S-00147" date="20080122" 162. The method of claim 31, wherein the time period extends at least until the mobile wireless station receives a data message from the access point.id="INS-S-00147" id="INS-S-00148" date="20080122" 163. The mobile wireless station of claim 34, wherein the time period extends at least until the mobile wireless station receives a data message from the access point.id="INS-S-00148" id="INS-S-00149" date="20080122" 164. The mobile wireless station of claim 163, wherein the time period extends at least until the mobile wireless station receives the next synchronizing message from the access point.id="INS-S-00149" id="INS-S-00150" date="20080122" 165. The mobile wireless station of claim 40, wherein the time period extends at least until the mobile wireless station receives a data message from the access point.id="INS-S-00150" id="INS-S-00151" date="20080122" 166. The mobile wireless station of claim 165, wherein the time period extends at least until the mobile wireless station receives the next synchronizing message from the access point.id="INS-S-00151" id="INS-S-00152" date="20080122" 167. The method of claim 46, wherein the time period extends at least until the identified non-selected station receives a data message from the selected station.id="INS-S-00152" id="INS-S-00153" date="20080122" 168. The method of claim 167, wherein the time period extends at least until the identified non-selected station receives the next synchronizing message from the selected station.id="INS-S-00153" id="INS-S-00154" date="20080122" 169. The wireless data communication system of claim 47, wherein the time period extends at least until the non-selected station receives a data message from the selected station.id="INS-S-00154" id="INS-S-00155" date="20080122" 170. The wireless data communication system of claim 169, wherein the time period extends at least until the non-selected station receives the next synchronizing message from the selected station.id="INS-S-00155" id="INS-S-00156" date="20080122" 171. The method of claim 66, wherein the time period extends at least until the identified non-selected station receives a data message from the selected station.id="INS-S-00156" id="INS-S-00157" date="20080122" 172. The method of claim 67, wherein the time period extends at least until the identified mobile station receives a data message from the access point.id="INS-S-00157" id="INS-S-00158" date="20080122" 173. The wireless data communication system of claim 73, wherein the time period extends at least until the non-selected station receives a data message from the selected station.id="INS-S-00158" id="INS-S-00159" date="20080122" 174. The wireless data communication system of claim 79, wherein the time period extends at least until the identified mobile station receives a data message from the access point.id="INS-S-00159" id="INS-S-00160" date="20080122" 175. The method of claim 90, wherein the time period extends at least until the mobile wireless station receives a data message from the access point.id="INS-S-00160" id="INS-S-00161" date="20080122" 176. The method of claim 91, wherein the time period extends at least until the mobile wireless station receives a data message from the access point.id="INS-S-00161" id="INS-S-00162" date="20080122" 177. The mobile wireless station of claim 97, wherein the time period extends at least until the mobile wireless station receives a data message from the access point.id="INS-S-00162" id="INS-S-00163" date="20080122" 178. The mobile wireless station of claim 101, wherein the time period extends at least until the mobile wireless station receives a data message from the access point.id="INS-S-00163" id="INS-S-00164" date="20080122" 179. The mobile wireless station of claim 110, wherein the time period extends at least until the mobile wireless station receives a data message from the access point.id="INS-S-00164"