Ad-hoc networks and battery life
 

I recently set up a network to share internet to my various wifi enabled devices, and as I don't have a wireless router I set up an ad-hoc network on my laptop with some iptables rules to route traffic. However, after several days of use, it appears that being connected to an ad-hoc network on the N800 (with OS2008 I might add) appears to have a very noticeable effect on battery life.

Connecting to a regular access point, the battery life estimation is around 6-8 hours (while in use). However, when connected to an ad-hoc network, the estimation is at most three hours, and I regularly find the device dead (I've counted it dead 6 times in the last week).

I admit I am not fluent in the differences in power consumption between access point-based and ad-hoc networks, and I realise that using an ad-hoc network might consume more battery power, provided that each node has to send beacons (or the ad-hoc equivalent?).

Has anyone had experience with this? I can't tell that it is an OS2008 problem because I changed my network configuration around the time of the upgrade, but I suspect it would be the same for OS2007.

Furthermore, are there any configuration changes I can do to reduce power consumption for ad-hoc connections (rather than just simply changing the power setting to 10mW)?

Thanks,
Donn

Re: Ad-hoc networks and battery life
 

Hi, if you search these forums you will find that:

1. Ad hoc networks invariably consume more power
2. 10mW vs 100mW has no effect on battery life

Re: Ad-hoc networks and battery life
 

Search this forum or google for WLAN PSM mode. In ad-hoc mode there is no power saving so the wi-fi chip must be on all the time. In managed mode the chip can sleep most of the time and is waked up by AP only when needed. This is by design.