Ad-hoc radio communication system

• US 20010012757A1
• Filed: 03/01/2001
• Published: 08/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uniloc 2017 LLC (SoftBank Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Boyle, Kevin R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,980,522 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/11.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 Master-slave selection or change arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

In an ad-hoc radio communication system comprising a plurality of stations (100) formed into at least one network (102a,102b), each station (100) is assigned a rank representative of its suitability for performing the role of master station in a network (102a). The rank may for example be assessed depending on the performance of the station'"'"'s antenna (204) or its access to mains power. It is arranged that the station (100) having the highest rank in a network (102a,102b) performs the role of master for that network, thereby improving the efficiency of communication in the network.

Claims

1. An ad-hoc radio communication system comprising a plurality of stations formed into at least one network, each station comprising transceiver means coupled to antenna means for communication with other stations, control means for performing the role of master or slave in a network and ranking means for determining a rank representative of the station'"'"'s suitability for acting as master in the network, wherein at least one of the stations has comparison means for determining the rank of all the stations in the network and master transfer means for enabling the station having the highest rank to take the role of master in the network.

2. A system as claimed in

claim 1

, characterised in that the comparison means are operated by the master station.

3. A station for use in an ad-hoc radio communication system comprising a plurality of stations formed into at least one network, wherein transceiver means coupled to antenna means are provided for communication with other stations, control means are provided to enable the station to perform the role of master or slave as required in a network, ranking means are provided for determining a rank representative of the station'"'"'s suitability for acting as master in the network, inquiry means are provided for determining the rank of other stations in the network, and master transfer means are provided capable of performing at least one of the actions of taking over the role of master, if the station is a slave and has the highest rank in the network, and transferring the role of master to a second station, if the station is the master and does not have the highest rank in the network.

4. A station as claimed in

claim 3

, characterised in that the ranking means determines the rank of the station depending on the performance of the antenna means.

5. A station as claimed in

claim 4

, characterised in that the performance of the antenna means is determined dynamically.

6. A station as claimed in any one of

claims 3

to

5

, characterised in that the ranking means determines the rank of the station depending on its access to mains power.

7. A method of operating an ad-hoc radio communication system comprising a plurality of stations formed into at least one network, each station comprising transceiver means coupled to antenna means for communication with other stations, being able to function as master or slave in a network and being able to determine a rank representative of the station'"'"'s suitability for acting as master in the network, the method comprising at least one of the stations determining the rank of all the stations in the network and arranging for the role of master to be taken by the station having the highest rank.

8. A method as claimed in

claim 7

, characterised by determining the rank of a station depending on the performance of its antenna means.

9. A method as claimed in

claim 8

, characterised by determining the performance of the antenna means dynamically.

10. A method as claimed in any one of

claims 7

to

9

, characterised by determining the rank of a station depending on its access to mains power.