Join process method for admitting a node to a wireless mesh network

• US 6,850,502 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2000
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Radiant Networks PLC
• Inventors: Worfolk, Patrick, Kagan, Yishai, Berger, Josef
• Primary Examiner(s): Duong, Frank
• Application Number:
  US09/699,582
• Time in Patent Office: 1,555 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/321, 370/336, 370/337, 370/347, 370/349, 370/350, 370/330, 370/442, 370/447, 370/461, 370/465, 370/468, 370/498, 370/503, 370/912, 370/913, 455/3.01, 455/500, 435/509, 435/512, 342/357.06, 342/357.12
• US Class Current: 370/330
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18523 Satellite systems for providing broadcast service to terrestrial stations, i.e. broadcast satellite service arrangements specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving H04H40/90; picture transmission via satellite H04N1/00103; television transmission via satellite H04N7/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 using beam steering
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/046 the resource being in the space domain, e.g. beams
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A join process is disclosed for a wireless mesh topology network. In the network, nodes have multiple spatial coverage sub-sectors together covering a larger sector angle and a node can establish connection with other nodes located in directions covered by its sub-sectors. The join process adds a joining node to the network and includes having the joining node listen to sub-sectors at a specific receiving frequency for a defined time. Thereafter, the network node changes its sub sectors and its receiving frequencies according to a defined timing and sequence. Active network nodes transmit organized invitation data packets on defined sectors, frequencies and timing, based on relative location and relative angle orientation deduced from sub-sectors already in use for existing internal network communication. This reduces frequency interference in the network and reduces time required for the join process.

Claims

1. A join process for a wireless mesh topology network where network nodes have multiple spatial coverage sub-sectors together covering a larger sector angle, where a node can establish connection with other nodes located in directions covered by its sub-sectors, the join process for adding a joining node to the network comprising:

a joining node starts listening to its sub-sectors at specific receiving frequencies for a defined time and thereafter changing its sub sectors and its receiving frequencies according to a defined timing and sequence; and

,

active network nodes transmitting organized invitation data packets on defined sectors, frequencies and timing, based on their relative location and possible connectivity to the joining node deduced from sub-sectors already used for existing internal network communication, thus reducing frequency interference and reducing time required for the join process.

2. The join process of claim 1 further comprising:

one active network node distributing the schedule for the organized invitation data packets to other active network nodes.

3. The join process of claim 1 further comprising:

an external computer distributing the schedule for the organized invitation data packets to the network nodes.

4. The join process of claim 1 further comprising:

communicating using only a single sector which covers a single spatial sector from one active network node having a single spatial coverage sub-sector.

5. A method for adding a joining node to a wireless mesh network including one or more network nodes, the method comprising:

designating at least one network node for initiating communication with the joining node;

at the at least one network node, to initiate communication with the joining node, scanning on a first sector with highest probability of locating the joining node;

subsequently scanning on sectors of lower probability of locating the joining node; and

receiving an answer at a network node in response to an invitation packet.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein subsequently scanning comprises:

scanning on sectors immediately adjacent to the first sector; and

subsequently scanning on sectors immediately adjacent to the sectors immediately adjacent to the first sector.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein subsequently scanning comprises:

skipping scanning on sectors immediately adjacent sectors already scanned; and

subsequently scanning on sectors immediately adjacent to the skipped sectors.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

receiving information about location of the joining node;

based on the information about location of the joining node, identifying the first sector with highest probability of locating the joining node.

9. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

receiving information about location of the joining node;

based on the information about location of the joining node, identifying those network nodes with highest probability of locating the joining node; and

assigning each identified network node to transmit in the direction of the location of the joining node.

10. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

transmitting an invitation transmission from the at least one network node; and

synchronizing at least one of time, direction and frequency of the invitation transmission by the at least one network node to avoid interference at the joining node.

11. A method for admitting one or more joining nodes wireless mesh network, the method comprising:

scheduling transmission of data packets by inviting network nodes on defined frequency channels and at defined directions to create spectral activity for detection of the spectral activity by the one or more joining nodes; and

at a joining node of the one or more joining nodes,

scanning the defined frequency channels and different spatial directions to identify radio frequency activity of the inviting network nodes at the defined frequency channels,

identifying spatial directions toward the inviting network nodes, and

tuning to a defined frequency channel in the identified spatial direction to receive an invitation packet transmitted by the inviting network nodes between the data packets.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein transmission of data packets comprises:

transmitting a radio frequency activity burst of information at a defined frequency channel and in one or more defined spatial directions.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the data packets comprise short bursts of data, have a duration shorter than duration of the invitation packets and are transmitted more frequently than the invitation packets.