A wireless telephone system comprises a base unit having a base
transceiver, and one or more wireless handsets, each handset comprising a
handset transceiver. Each handset establishing a time-division multiple
access (TDMA) link over a shared RF channel with the base unit via the
base transceiver in accordance with a TDMA epoch, which allocates
exclusive data and audio packet time slots to each handset. Each handset
powers on its transceiver during its respective data and audio packet time
slots as necessary to synchronize with the base unit using synchronization
data transmitted with a data packet, to detect incoming call data
transmitted with a data packet, or to transmit and receive audio
information over the TDMA link. The handset powers off its transceiver
otherwise during the epoch to minimize handset power use.
