Dynamically enabling a secondary channel in a mesh network

• US 8,300,652 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2007
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sigma Designs Incorporated
• Inventors: Christensen, Tommas Jess, Midtgaard, Jacob, Shorty, Peter, Johansen, Niels Thybo
• Primary Examiner(s): Ngo, Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gidado, Rasheed
• Application Number:
  US11/681,401
• Publication Number:
  US 20070201504A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,069 Days
• Field of Search: 370/227, 370/228, 370/328, 370/437, 709/239, 709/208, 709/201
• US Class Current: 370/437
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/189 Transmission or retransmission of more than one copy of a message
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2001/0093 Point-to-multipoint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/22 Negotiating communication rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for using a node in a mesh network to perceive a plurality of channels within a mesh network; selecting a first channel from the plurality of channels within the mesh network with the node; remaining on the first channel with the node for a predefined duration; remaining on the first channel beyond the predefined duration in order to receive a message if a signal is detected during the predefine duration; and selecting a second channel with the node once the predefined duration has elapsed without the signal detected.

Claims

1. A method for operating a node in a wireless mesh network comprising:

using a computer, scanning each one of a plurality of channels in a wireless mesh network in a predetermined order for a predetermined duration to detect a preamble;

detecting the preamble on one of the plurality of channels;

remaining on a current one of the plurality of channels to receive a message after the predetermined duration when the preamble includes a first number of symbols;

changing to another one of the plurality of channels according to a command in the preamble when the preamble includes a second number of symbols; and

resuming scanning each one of the plurality of channels after the message is received.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the message includes a plurality of messages.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the message includes a command.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the command relates to a communication speed.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the command relates to a communication channel.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein the command relates to a communication channel availability.