Multihop, multi-channel, wireless communication network with scheduled time slots
First Claim
1. A multihop, multi-channel, wireless communication network configured as a daughter network for coupling to a parent network, said communication network comprising:
- a hub access-point (HAP) node configured to be coupled to said parent network and configured to engage in outward wireless communication; and
a plurality of active nodes configured to engage in said outward wireless communication with said HAP node over a plurality of outward communication paths, wherein said plurality of outward communication paths each includes at least two outward hops and uses at least two channels;
wherein, scheduled time slots are allocated to said active nodes for transmitting data packets over said plurality of outward communication paths, one time slot is associated with each outward hop, and said time slots are consecutively arranged along said plurality of outward communication paths.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless local area network (20) includes a hub access point node (22), any number of active nodes (24) and any number of inactive nodes (26). Some of the active nodes (24) act as forwarding nodes (32) so that the coverage area of the network (20) is extended beyond the radio range of the hub access point node (22). Time slots (42) are consecutively scheduled for the active nodes (24) along outward communication paths (34) and inward communication paths (36). Beginning time slots (42) for the inward communication paths (36) are assigned to outermost nodes (38) in the paths (36). Beginning time slots (42) for the outward communication paths (34) are assigned to the hub access point node (22). Time slots (42) are assigned in a manner that minimizes total latency (44). Time slots (42) are also assign to afford opportunities for the inactive nodes (26) to communicate.
68 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A multihop, multi-channel, wireless communication network configured as a daughter network for coupling to a parent network, said communication network comprising:
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a hub access-point (HAP) node configured to be coupled to said parent network and configured to engage in outward wireless communication; and
a plurality of active nodes configured to engage in said outward wireless communication with said HAP node over a plurality of outward communication paths, wherein said plurality of outward communication paths each includes at least two outward hops and uses at least two channels;
wherein,scheduled time slots are allocated to said active nodes for transmitting data packets over said plurality of outward communication paths, one time slot is associated with each outward hop, and said time slots are consecutively arranged along said plurality of outward communication paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A multihop, multi-channel, wireless communication network configured as a daughter network for coupling to a parent network, said communication network comprising:
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a hub access-point (HAP) node configured to be coupled to said parent network and configured to engage in inward wireless communication; and
a plurality of active nodes configured to engage in said inward wireless communication with said HAP node over a plurality of inward communication paths, wherein said plurality of inward communication paths each includes at least two inward hops and uses at least two channels;
wherein,scheduled time slots are allocated to said active nodes for transmitting data packets over said plurality of inward communication paths, one time slot is associated with each inward hop, and said time slots are consecutively arranged along said plurality of inward communication paths. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. In a communication network where a hub access-point (HAP) node communicates with a plurality of active nodes over a plurality of communication paths and wherein said plurality of communication paths each includes at least two hops and uses at least two channels, a method of allocating resources to said active nodes for use in forming said communication paths comprising:
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collecting identity data which describes every hop of each communication path;
associating those ones of said communication paths having common first hops together in first-hop sets, and within each of said first-hop sets, ones of said communication paths having common second hops together to form second-hop sets;
disassociating said first-hop sets and said second-hop sets;
assigning time slots to said active nodes so that one time slot is associated with each hop, and said time slots are consecutively arranged along said communication paths; and
sending allocation data to said active nodes, said allocation data identifying assignments of said time slots to said active nodes. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A multihop, multi-channel, wireless communication network configured as a daughter network for coupling to a parent network, said communication network comprising:
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a hub access-point (HAP) node coupled to said parent network and configured to engage in outward and inward wireless communication; and
a plurality of active nodes configured to engage in said outward and inward wireless communication with said HAP node over a plurality of outward and inward communication paths, respectively, wherein each of said pluralities of outward and inward communication paths includes at least two hops and uses at least two channels;
wherein,scheduled time slots are allocated to said active nodes for transmitting data packets over said plurality of outward and inward communication paths, one time slot is associated with each hop, a first portion of said time slots is consecutively arranged along said plurality of outward communication paths beginning with said HAP node, and a second portion of said time slots is consecutively arranged along said plurality of inward communication paths beginning with outermost ones of said active nodes in said inward communication paths. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A resource allocation computer program for use with a multihop, multi-channel, wireless communication network where a hub access-point (HAP) node communicates with a plurality of active nodes over a plurality of communication paths and wherein each of said plurality of communication paths includes at least two hops and uses at least two channels, said computer program comprising:
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a first program segment configured to collect identity data which describes every hop of each communication path;
a second program segment configured to sort said communication paths so that said communication paths having common first hops are associated together in first-hop sets, and within each of said first-hop sets, said paths having common second hops are associated together to form second-hop sets;
a third program segment configured to interleave said first-hop sets and said second-hop sets;
a fourth program segment configured to assign time slots to said active nodes so that one time slot is associated with each hop, and said time slots are consecutively arranged along said communication paths; and
a fifth program segment configured to send allocation data to said active nodes, said allocation data identifying assignments of said time slots to said active nodes;
wherein, said first, second, third, fourth, and fifth program segments are embodied in a computer-readable medium. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification