Systems and methods for reducing power consumption in communication networks
First Claim
1. A system for reducing power consumption in a wireless mesh communication network, comprising:
- a plurality of follower nodes; and
a leader node in communication with the plurality of follower nodes, the leader node being operable to transmit a sleep command to the plurality of follower nodes thereby causing the plurality of follower nodes to transition from an awake mode to a sleep mode, the leader node and the plurality of follower nodes consuming less power in the sleep mode than when in the awake mode, wherein the leader node is configured to synchronize, via the sleep command, a transition of the plurality of nodes from the awake mode to the sleep mode, wherein the sleep command is a multicast message, and wherein each of the plurality of follower nodes is operable to transition to the sleep mode in response to the sleep command without further communicating with the leader node prior to transitioning to the sleep mode, wherein the leader node is operable to transmit a notification to the plurality of follower nodes, the notification indicating when a transmission of a future sleep command is expected, wherein the plurality of followers nodes are operable to elect a new leader node if the leader node fails to transmit the future sleep command within a grace period of a time indicated by the notification for the transmission of the future sleep command.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for reducing power consumption in communication networks. In one exemplary embodiment, a system includes a leader node in communication with a plurality of follower nodes. The leader node causes the leader and follower nodes to transition from an awake mode to a sleep mode where they consume less power. An exemplary embodiment of a method includes the steps of configuring nodes in a communication network as follower nodes and configuring a node in the communication network as a leader node. The leader node is configured to cause the leader and follower nodes to alternate between an awake mode and a sleep mode. The leader and follower nodes consume less power when in the sleep mode than when in the awake mode.
41 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for reducing power consumption in a wireless mesh communication network, comprising:
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a plurality of follower nodes; and a leader node in communication with the plurality of follower nodes, the leader node being operable to transmit a sleep command to the plurality of follower nodes thereby causing the plurality of follower nodes to transition from an awake mode to a sleep mode, the leader node and the plurality of follower nodes consuming less power in the sleep mode than when in the awake mode, wherein the leader node is configured to synchronize, via the sleep command, a transition of the plurality of nodes from the awake mode to the sleep mode, wherein the sleep command is a multicast message, and wherein each of the plurality of follower nodes is operable to transition to the sleep mode in response to the sleep command without further communicating with the leader node prior to transitioning to the sleep mode, wherein the leader node is operable to transmit a notification to the plurality of follower nodes, the notification indicating when a transmission of a future sleep command is expected, wherein the plurality of followers nodes are operable to elect a new leader node if the leader node fails to transmit the future sleep command within a grace period of a time indicated by the notification for the transmission of the future sleep command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14)
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7. A method of reducing power consumption in a wireless mesh communication network, comprising:
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communicating messages among a plurality of follower nodes; transitioning the plurality of follower nodes from an awake mode to a sleep mode, the plurality of follower nodes consuming less power when in the sleep mode than when in the awake mode; synchronizing the transitioning step by transmitting a sleep command from a leader node to the plurality of follower nodes, wherein the sleep command is a multicast message, wherein the transmitting comprises rebroadcasting the sleep command via at least one of the follower nodes, and wherein each of the follower nodes transitions from the awake mode to the sleep mode in response to the sleep command without further communicating with the leader node prior to transitioning to the sleep mode; transmitting a notification from the leader node to the plurality of follower nodes, the notification indicating when a transmission of a future sleep command is expected; and electing a new leader node if the leader node fails to transmit the future sleep command within a grace period of a time indicated by the notification for the transmission of the future sleep command. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification