Method and apparatus for synchronizing a node within an ad-hoc communication system
US7272129B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 2005 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W84/18
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for synchronizing a node (200) within an ad-hoc communication system (100) is described herein. During operation all nodes periodically broadcast a synchronization beacon for other nodes to utilize for synchronization when a coordinating access point (node) is unavailable. A particular node's synchronization beacon will have an associated “tier” number that is incremented from the tier number of the beacon used to synchronize the particular node. In the absence of an access point, a node that joins the ad-hoc communication system will listen for synchronization beacons transmitted by other nodes. If synchronization beacons are heard, the node will synchronize with a beacon having a lowest tier. The node will then broadcast its own beacon having its tier number incremented from the lowest tier beacon heard.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.