Communications protocol for packet data particularly in mesh topology wireless networks
US6363062B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W74/0816
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a wireless mesh topology data communications network, a communications method having a type of handshaking protocol for data exchange. A portion of the protocol is synchronous, using a schedule of control channel sessions held at all mutually communicating nodes of the network and a portion of the protocol is asynchronous, relying upon gaps between control channel sessions for transmission of requested data. Nodes which are in line of sight relation request data from each other using a request to send message and a clear to send message. A requesting node sends an RTS message to a neighbor node with information about gaps specifying the location of requested data. A supplying node transmits a potential schedule for sending requested information and the requesting node sends a CTS message agreeing upon the schedule. The potential schedule includes a number of available gaps between known control channel sessions. Because transmissions are scheduled, rapidly switchable directional antennas at requesting and supplying nodes may be used with good advantage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.