# DTIM power measurement deep dive
Source: [https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-58740-3/topic/dtimx-x-1-3-5-10-power-details.html](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-58740-3/topic/dtimx-x-1-3-5-10-power-details.html)
See the following sections for the operating current
at each stage and the formula for calculating the average power consumption in DTIMx ( x
= 1, 3, 5, 10) mode.
## DTIM mode workflow
The workflow of the DTIMx (x = 1, 3, 5, 10) mode is as follows:
The current in DTIMx (x = 1, 3, 5, 10) mode exhibits periodic variations, as shown in the
following figure:

## Duration in each state of DTIM mode
Source: [https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-58740-3/topic/dtimx-x-1-3-5-10-power-details.html](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-58740-3/topic/dtimx-x-1-3-5-10-power-details.html)
Taking a 1 Mb/s beacon as an example, the duration of each state in DTIMx (x = 1, 3, 5,
10) mode is shown in the following table:
| Time | Duration | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| t1 | 1.0 ms | Hardware start-up time |
| t2 | 0.6 ms | System and Wi-Fi initialization time |
| t3 | 1.0 ms | Duration of beacon reception for devices with external xtal32k |
| t3 | (102.4\* x \* 0.0015 + 1.0) ms | Duration of beacon reception for devices without external xtal32k |
| t4 | 0.25 ms | PDS15 start-up time |
| t5 | (102.4\* x - t1 - t2 - t3 -t4) ms | PDS15 time for devices with external xtal32k |
| t5 | (102.4\* x - t1 - t2 - t3 -t4) ms | PDS15 time for devices without external xtal32k |
| | | |
## Factors affecting t3
Source: [https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-58740-3/topic/dtimx-x-1-3-5-10-power-details.html](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-58740-3/topic/dtimx-x-1-3-5-10-power-details.html)
The t3 duration depends on TIM position, beacon transmission rate, RC error rate, and the
value of x in DTIMx (x=1, 3, 5, 10).
Since the packet reception ends immediately when the program detects the TIM, t3is
influenced by the position of TIM within the beacon.
According to calculations at a transmission rate of 1 Mb/s, it takes approximately 640 µs
from the end of the preamble to complete the reception of the TIM. The fixed duration
for receiving the preamble is 192 µs, so the total time for receiving the beacon is
approximately 832 µs.
Additionally, the program reserves a certain amount of time to account for the
possibility of not receiving the beacon. Therefore, when not considering the 32kHz clock
error, the t3 duration is 1 ms.
Note: Most beacons have a transmission rate of 1 MB/s. If the
transmission rate is higher, the t3 duration is shorter.
When the device selects RC32K as the clock source, to prevent delays caused by slow
oscillation of the RC32K crystal during wake-up, it wakes up 102.4 x 0.0015 ms in
advance. This leads to an increase in the t3 duration by 102.4 x 0.0015 ms, where 0.0015
represents the RC32K error rate.
Last Published: Feb 19, 2025
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