Mechanism for automatic network formation and medium access coordination
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- randomly selecting to transmit based on a randomized choice between transmitting and receiving;
transmitting a link establishment request from a node in response to the selection to transmit;
receiving a link establishment response at the node; and
updating a steady-state schedule of the node for communication in a mesh network.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a set of mechanisms by which a wireless mobile mesh node equipped with a directional antenna may self form and self adapt its steady-state communications schedule. A link establishment handshake is carried out over an ongoing subtemplate-based discovery scan. During time not reserved for steady-state communications with previously discovered neighbors, nodes continue to search for an establish links with new neighbors. Initial and subsequent bandwidth allocation protocols may be utilized to allow peer nodes to coordinate communication opportunities between the peer nodes without impacting or having knowledge about reservations for communications with other peers. The link establishment and initial bandwidth allocation protocols may be piggy-backed for readily establishing an initial steady-state schedule with a peer upon link establishment without impact on previous steady state reservations by other nodes or on ongoing link establishment attempts elsewhere.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
randomly selecting to transmit based on a randomized choice between transmitting and receiving; transmitting a link establishment request from a node in response to the selection to transmit; receiving a link establishment response at the node; and updating a steady-state schedule of the node for communication in a mesh network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method comprising:
-
pointing a directional antenna of a node to a bearing synchronized with one or more other bearings of one or more other nodes of a mesh network; transmitting a link establishment request from the directional antenna; receiving a link establishment response; and updating a steady-state schedule of the node for communication in the mesh network. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
-
-
10. A method comprising:
-
determining a bearing; randomly selecting, based on a randomized choice, between transmitting from a node and receiving at the node a communication to establish a link in a mesh network with one or more other nodes; if transmitting the communication is selected, then transmitting the communication from a directional antenna of the node in a direction of the bearing; and if receiving the communication is selected, then listening by the node for the communication from the one or more other nodes. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, that when executed by a processor, cause an apparatus containing the processor to:
-
randomly select to transmit based on a randomized choice between transmitting and receiving; transmit a link establishment request from the apparatus in response to the selection to transmit; receive a link establishment response at the apparatus; and update a steady-state schedule of the apparatus for communication with one or more nodes in a mesh network. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. An apparatus comprising:
-
one or more antennae; a processor; and one or more memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, that when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to; randomly select to transmit based on a randomized choice between transmitting and receiving; transmit a link establishment request from the one or more antennae in response to the selection to transmit; receive a link establishment response on the one or more antennae; and update a steady-state schedule of the apparatus for communication in a mesh network. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification