Communications networks

• US 20030013472A1
• Filed: 04/16/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Turanyi, Zoltan, Valko, Andras, Miklos, Gyorgy
• Application Number:
  US10/123,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20030013472A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/517
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/713 using frequency hopping
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/12 using downlink control channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

In a wireless communications network connectivity information is communicated between nodes using beacon signals transmitted by the nodes of the network. A node scans for beacon signals, but does not engage in communication with another node in the network until data communication is required.

Claims

1. A method of communicating connectivity information for a channel in a wireless communication system, the method comprising, in a node of the system:

transmitting a beacon signal which includes the connectivity information relating to the channel used by the node;

scanning for beacon signals from respective other nodes, and receiving such beacon signals; and

maintaining channel information on the basis of received beacon signals.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information relating to the channel identifies the channel used by the node.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the node communicates with a destination node on a channel determined by the node.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the node communicates with a destination node on a channel determined by the destination node.

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication system is a short range radio frequency communications system.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the channel defines a piconet in the communications system.

2. A method of maintaining connectivity information for a channel in a wireless communication system which has a plurality of frequency hopping channels, the method comprising, in a node of the network:

transmitting a beacon signal advertising a frequency hopping channel used by the node;

receiving beacon signals from respective other nodes which beacon signals advertise frequency hopping channels used by those nodes; and

maintaining connectivity information on the basis of received beacon signals.

8. A method of communicating connectivity information in a wireless communications system, the method comprising:

from a first node of the system, transmitting a first information signal containing data relating to a channel for use by the first node;

receiving, from a second node of the system at the first node of the system, a second information signal containing data relating to a channel for use by the second node;

maintaining channel information on the basis of received information signals.