Multi-Channel Communications Protocol
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- selecting one of a plurality of channels on which to send one of a collection of data packets the collection comprising a plurality of data packets;
transmitting the data packet on the selected channel and waiting for a first acknowledgement message;
if a first acknowledgement is received, continuing to use the selected channel to transmit packets from the collection and waiting for a second acknowledgement message after transmitting each packet;
if no second acknowledgement is received after transmitting one of the packets, giving up the selected channel on the basis of a specified channel release probability.
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Abstract
There is a need to improve design of communications protocols in which two or more channels are provided and, optionally, in which collision avoidance is not available. An improved protocol is provided in which communications nodes pick a channel on which to transmit and collisions may occur where two nodes attempt to transmit on the same channel. The node currently occupying a channel is arranged to have a specified probability of holding onto that channel as compared to a newcomer. Other methods are described whereby a node is able to occupy more than one channel at the same time and whereby nodes each occupy approximately the same number of channels.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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selecting one of a plurality of channels on which to send one of a collection of data packets the collection comprising a plurality of data packets; transmitting the data packet on the selected channel and waiting for a first acknowledgement message; if a first acknowledgement is received, continuing to use the selected channel to transmit packets from the collection and waiting for a second acknowledgement message after transmitting each packet; if no second acknowledgement is received after transmitting one of the packets, giving up the selected channel on the basis of a specified channel release probability. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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selecting one of a plurality of channels on which to send one of a collection of data packets the collection comprising a plurality of data packets; transmitting the data packet on the selected channel and continuing to use the selected channel to transmit packets from the collection; waiting for an acknowledgement message after transmitting each packet; if no acknowledgement is received after transmitting one of the packets, giving up the selected channel on the basis of a specified channel release probability; the method being carried out as part of a communications protocol which provides no collision avoidance ability. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A communications network node comprising:
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a processor arranged to select one of a plurality of channels on which to send one of a collection of data packets the collection comprising a plurality of data packets; a transmitter arranged to transmit the data packet on the selected channel and wait for a first acknowledgement message; and wherein the transmitter is arranged such that if a first acknowledgement is received, the transmitter continues to use the selected channel to transmit packets from the collection and to wait for a second acknowledgment after transmitting each packet; and wherein the transmitter is also arranged such that if no second acknowledgement is received after transmitting one of the packets, the transmitter gives up the selected channel on the basis of a specified channel release attempt probability. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification