The disclosure relates in some aspects to an energy-aware architecture that supports a low power scheduling mode. For example, a media access control (MAC) architecture for a base station (e.g., an enhanced Node B) and associated access terminals (e.g., UEs) can take the power needs of the access terminals into account when scheduling the access terminals. In some aspects, an access terminal may support a particular frame structure for a low power mode. Accordingly, scheduling of the access terminal may include use of the particular frame structure during low power mode.