Computer-implemented techniques are presented for a client device to wake up, independent of receiving a beacon signal, and transmit a first pilot signal to establish a link with a base station. Subsequent to waking up, the client device can perform an association process to establish the link with the base station to become “partially associated” with the base station and update the client device information at the base station. The client device information can be stored in a table at the base station, and the table can be a global table that is shared between all base stations in the wireless MIMO network. After establishing a link, the base station can inform the client device whether there is a pending call or data packet for the client device. If there is a pending call or data packet, the client device can become “fully associated” with the base station.