Dynamic common broadcast schedule parameters for overlaying an independent unicast schedule
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- operating in a frequency hopping communication network according to a common broadcast schedule for the network that simultaneously overlays a configured portion of all independently determined unicast listening schedules in the network, wherein the overlaid configured portion is based on broadcast schedule parameters consisting of a first time spent for broadcast transmissions in each broadcast period and a second time between broadcast periods;
monitoring network characteristics relating to unicast traffic and broadcast traffic in the network;
determining updated broadcast schedule parameters based on the network characteristics; and
updating operation of the common broadcast schedule with the updated broadcast schedule parameters by adjusting the first time spent for broadcast transmissions in each broadcast period, the second time between broadcast periods, or both, whereinan amount by which to increase or decrease the first time spent for broadcast transmissions in each broadcast period, the second time between broadcast periods, or both, is determined based on results of the monitoring of network characteristics relating to unicast traffic occurring according to the unicast listening schedules in the network and broadcast traffic occurring according to the common broadcast schedule in the network that simultaneously overlays the configured portion of the unicast listening schedules.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, each device in a frequency hopping communication network operates according to a common broadcast schedule for the network that simultaneously overlays a configured portion of all independently determined unicast listening schedules in the network, wherein the overlaid configured portion is based on broadcast schedule parameters consisting of a first time spent for broadcast transmissions in each broadcast period and a second time between broadcast periods. By monitoring network characteristics relating to unicast traffic and broadcast traffic in the network, updated broadcast schedule parameters may then be determined based on the network characteristics. Operation of the common broadcast schedule may thus be updated with the updated broadcast schedule parameters, accordingly.
18 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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operating in a frequency hopping communication network according to a common broadcast schedule for the network that simultaneously overlays a configured portion of all independently determined unicast listening schedules in the network, wherein the overlaid configured portion is based on broadcast schedule parameters consisting of a first time spent for broadcast transmissions in each broadcast period and a second time between broadcast periods; monitoring network characteristics relating to unicast traffic and broadcast traffic in the network; determining updated broadcast schedule parameters based on the network characteristics; and updating operation of the common broadcast schedule with the updated broadcast schedule parameters by adjusting the first time spent for broadcast transmissions in each broadcast period, the second time between broadcast periods, or both, wherein an amount by which to increase or decrease the first time spent for broadcast transmissions in each broadcast period, the second time between broadcast periods, or both, is determined based on results of the monitoring of network characteristics relating to unicast traffic occurring according to the unicast listening schedules in the network and broadcast traffic occurring according to the common broadcast schedule in the network that simultaneously overlays the configured portion of the unicast listening schedules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus, comprising:
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a processor; a transceiver configured to communicate with a frequency hopping communication network that operates according to a common broadcast schedule for the network that simultaneously overlays a configured portion of all independently determined unicast listening schedules in the network, wherein the overlaid configured portion is based on broadcast schedule parameters consisting of a first time spent for broadcast transmissions in each broadcast period and a second time between broadcast periods; and a memory configured to store a process executable by the processor, the process when executed by the processor operable to; monitor network characteristics relating to unicast traffic and broadcast traffic in the network; determine updated broadcast schedule parameters based on the network characteristics; and update operation of the common broadcast schedule with the updated broadcast schedule parameters by adjusting the first time spent for broadcast transmissions in each broadcast period, the second time between broadcast periods, or both, wherein an amount by which to increase or decrease the first time spent for broadcast transmissions in each broadcast period, the second time between broadcast periods, or both, is determined based on results of the monitoring of network characteristics relating to unicast traffic occurring according to the unicast listening schedules in the network and broadcast traffic occurring according to the common broadcast schedule in the network that simultaneously overlays the configured portion of the unicast listening schedules. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having software encoded thereon, the software, when executed by a processor on a device in a frequency hopping communication network that operates according to a common broadcast schedule for the network that simultaneously overlays a configured portion of all independently determined unicast listening schedules in the network, wherein the overlaid configured portion is based on broadcast schedule parameters consisting of a first time spent for broadcast transmissions in each broadcast period and a second time between broadcast periods, operable to:
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monitor network characteristics relating to unicast traffic and broadcast traffic in the network; determine updated broadcast schedule parameters based on the network characteristics; and update operation of the common broadcast schedule with the updated broadcast schedule parameters by adjusting the first time spent for broadcast transmissions in each broadcast period, the second time between broadcast periods, or both, wherein an amount by which to increase or decrease the first time spent for broadcast transmissions in each broadcast period, the second time between broadcast periods, or both, is determined based on results of the monitoring of network characteristics relating to unicast traffic occurring according to the unicast listening schedules in the network and broadcast traffic occurring according to the common broadcast schedule in the network that simultaneously overlays the configured portion of the unicast listening schedules.
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Specification