ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF RF LOW POWER MODES IN A MULTI-RATE WIRELESS SYSTEM USING MCS VALUE

Methods, systems, and devices are described for power conservation in a wireless communications system. In embodiments, power conservation may be achieved by adaptively controlling power modes of a wireless communication device, using a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) value as a factor for guidance. According to one aspect, the device may be in a reception mode. While in a first power mode, the device may receive control information for incoming data that is being transmitted via a transmission frame. The control information may be located in a first portion of the frame with the data following in a second portion of the frame. The control information may include or otherwise indicate an MCS value corresponding to the MCS applied to the incoming data. Based on the MCS value, the device may be adaptively switched to a second power mode for receiving the incoming data.