Patent attributes
A communications processor includes a first upper layer module to execute one or more upper layer protocols and a data link layer module to execute a data link layer protocol. A host processor includes a second upper layer module to execute the one or more upper layer protocols. A switching module causes the communications processor to operate in a first state or a second state. The communications processor executes only the data link layer protocol and none of the one or more upper layer protocols when the communications processor operates in the first state, and executes the data link layer protocol and the one or more upper layer protocols when the communications processor operates in the second state. The power saving module prevents the host processor from executing the one or more upper layer protocols executed by the communications processor when the communications processor operates in the second state.