Network Scheduling For Improved Reliability

• US 20170251488A1
• Filed: 02/26/2016
• Published: 08/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2016
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Urban, David, Gilson, Ross
• Application Number:
  US15/054,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20170251488A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/001 Synchronization between nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1263 Mapping of traffic onto schedule, e.g. scheduled allocation or multiplexing of flows
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/51 based on terminal or device properties
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/02 Hybrid access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0825 with collision detection

Abstract

Methods and systems for managing communications among network devices are disclosed. An example method can comprise determining a time window for transmission based on a scheduling protocol. The scheduling protocol can specify time windows for using corresponding wireless protocols to transmit signals. Different wireless protocols can be associated with different time windows and different devices. A device can prevent transmissions during the time window, thereby allowing other devices to provide transmissions during the time window according to the scheduling protocol.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a first transmission from a wireless access point based on a first wireless protocol;

detecting, at the wireless access point, a collision of the first transmission with a second transmission;

determining, in response to detecting the collision, a time window specific to the first wireless protocol based on a scheduling protocol, wherein the rime window is associated with the first wireless protocol by the scheduling protocol;

withholding, at the wireless access point, one or more transmissions associated with the first wireless protocol during the time window; and

providing a third transmission according to the first wireless protocol after the time window.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second transmission is based on a second wireless protocol.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the scheduling protocol defines the time window based on a device type.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the scheduling protocol defines the time window as specific to a corresponding wireless protocol.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the scheduling protocol prioritizes transmission based on a device type.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more transmissions associated with the first wireless protocol are scheduled by the first wireless protocol.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein withholding, at the wireless access point, the one or more transmissions associated with the first wireless protocol during the time window comprises powering off a transmitter associated with the first wireless protocol.

8. A method comprising:

determining a time window based on a scheduling protocol configured to associate the time window with a wireless protocol;

preventing transmissions from a network device during the time window; and

enabling transmissions from the network device after the time window.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein preventing transmissions from the network device during the time window comprises turning off a transmitter of the network device during at least a portion of the time window.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein preventing transmissions from the network device during the time window comprises preventing transmissions associated with the wireless protocol.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the scheduling protocol defines the time window based on a device type.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the scheduling protocol defines start times and periodicity for use of the wireless protocol.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the scheduling protocol prioritizes transmission based on a device type.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein preventing transmissions from the network device during the time window comprises disabling transmission of beacons during the time window.

15. A method comprising:

receiving a transmission at a client device from a wireless access point;

determining timing information associated with the receiving of the transmission;

determining a time window based on a scheduling protocol and the timing information, wherein the scheduling protocol is configured to select the time window based on which wireless protocol is used to receive the transmission; and

transmitting information from the client device to the wireless access point during the time window.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising synchronizing a first clock of the client device with a second clock of the wireless access point based on the scheduling protocol and the timing information, wherein the time window is determined based on the synchronization.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the scheduling protocol defines the time window based on a device type.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the scheduling protocol defines start times and periodicity for use of the wireless protocol.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the scheduling protocol prioritizes transmission based on a device type.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein transmitting information from the client device comprises transmitting a probe request.