Synchronization of upstream and downstream data transfer in wireless mesh topologies
First Claim
1. In a wireless mesh environment comprising first, second and third wireless routing nodes, a method facilitating the transfer of data between wireless routing nodes, comprising receiving a synchronization token from a first wireless routing node;
- initiating a timer based on receipt of the synchronization token;
wirelessly communicating with the first wireless routing node, during a first time interval, to transmit or receive at least one wireless frame; and
upon expiration of the first time interval, wirelessly communicating with the third wireless routing node, during a second time interval, to transmit or receive at least one wireless frame.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to synchronizing upstream and downstream transmissions across routing nodes in a wireless mesh network. The present invention, in one implementation, reduces radio interference between routing nodes in a wireless mesh network. In one implementation, the present invention, also allows for the use of a single radio dedicated to wireless backbone transmissions thereby reducing the cost of routing nodes. In one implementation, at least some of the routing nodes in the wireless mesh network include a second radio and associated wireless communication functionality to provide wireless access to mobile stations.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. In a wireless mesh environment comprising first, second and third wireless routing nodes, a method facilitating the transfer of data between wireless routing nodes, comprising
receiving a synchronization token from a first wireless routing node; -
initiating a timer based on receipt of the synchronization token;
wirelessly communicating with the first wireless routing node, during a first time interval, to transmit or receive at least one wireless frame; and
upon expiration of the first time interval, wirelessly communicating with the third wireless routing node, during a second time interval, to transmit or receive at least one wireless frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In a hierarchical wireless mesh environment comprising first, second and third wireless routing nodes, wherein the first wireless routing node is a parent of the second wireless routing node, and wherein the second wireless routing node is a parent of the third wireless routing node, a method facilitating the transfer of data between wireless routing nodes, comprising
receiving, at the second wireless routing node, a synchronization token from the first wireless routing node; -
calibrating a timer based on receipt of the synchronization token;
wirelessly communicating with the first wireless routing node, during a first time interval, to transmit or receive at least one wireless frame; and
upon expiration of the first time interval, wirelessly communicating with the third wireless routing node, during a second time interval, to transmit or receive at least one wireless frame. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method facilitating the transfer of data between wireless routing nodes, comprising
receiving a synchronization token; -
calibrating a timer based on receipt of the synchronization token; and
cycling, based on the timer, between an upstream transmission phase and a downstream transmission phase;
wherein the upstream transmission phase comprises receiving wireless frames from a parent wireless routing node;
storing at least one received wireless frames in a downstream buffer;
transmitting at least one wireless frame stored in an upstream buffer to the parent wireless routing node;
wherein the downstream transmission phase comprises receiving wireless frames from at least one child wireless routing node;
storing at least one received wireless frame in the upstream buffer;
transmitting at least one wireless frame stored in the downstream buffer to the at least one child routing node. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. An apparatus for use in a wireless network, comprising
a wireless interface operative to wirelessly communicate with an upstream routing node and at least one downstream routing node. a routing node control processor, operably connected to the wireless interface, and comprising a duty cycle timer; - wherein the routing node control processor is operative to
calibrate the duty cycle timer based on receipt, at the wireless interface, of a synchronization token from an upstream routing node; and
cycle, based on the duty cycle timer, between an upstream transmission phase and a downstream transmission phase;
wherein, in the upstream transmission phase, the routing node control processor is operative tostore at least one wireless frame received from the upstream routing node in a downstream buffer; and
transmit from the wireless interface at least one wireless frame stored in an upstream buffer to the upstream routing node; and
wherein, in the downstream transmission phase, the routing node control processor is operative to store at least one wireless frame received from the downstream routing node in a upstream buffer; and
transmit from the wireless interface at least one wireless frame stored in a downstream buffer to the downstream routing node. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
- wherein the routing node control processor is operative to
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41. A method facilitating the transfer of data between wireless routing nodes, comprising
receiving a synchronization token; -
calibrating a timer based on receipt of the synchronization token; and
cycling, based on the timer, between an upstream transmission phase and a downstream transmission phase;
wherein the upstream transmission phase comprises receiving wireless frames from a parent wireless routing node;
storing at least one received wireless frames in a downstream buffer;
transmitting at least one wireless frame stored in an upstream buffer to the parent wireless routing node;
receiving a synchronization token and re-calibrating the time based on receipt of the synchronization token;
wherein the downstream transmission phase comprises receiving wireless frames from at least one child wireless routing node;
storing at least one received wireless frame in the upstream buffer;
transmitting at least one wireless frame stored in the downstream buffer to the at least one child routing node. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification