An apparatus and method is provided for power management in an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) that replaces the Ad-hoc Traffic Indication Message (ATIM) and its associated control logic, with a protocol comprising a variable length Data Alert frame transmission period or Data Alert window that accommodates the traffic in the IBSS and is followed by a data frame transmission period, a special End of Alert frame, a special LIFS for the End of Alert frame and new control logic. The End of Alert frame has a lower priority in a contention for a medium with a Data Alert frame, i.e., the Data Alert frame has the equivalent of a higher priority, thereby maximizing the number of Data Alerts sent during any Data Alert window. This approach to power management achieves optimal allocation of time used to send Data Alert frame and data frame thus minimizes power consumption by all wireless stations of the IBSS.