Hybrid access protocol for network nodes

摘要

A hybrid access protocol (HAP) controls access of nodes of a network to a communication medium, such as a radio frequency communication channel. In one example, a one-hop neighbor of a root node receives priority information from the root node, which includes a list of communication time slots, and an indication of one or more of the communication time slots during which the one-hop neighbor has communication priority relative to other one-hop neighbors of the root node. If the one-hop neighbor has information to transmit to the root node, it waits a predetermined period of time before transmitting the information to the root node. While waiting, the one-hop neighbor listens for transmissions by other nodes. In response to expiration of the predetermined period of time without overhearing transmissions by other nodes, the one-hop neighbor transmits its data to the root node.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
under control of a one-hop neighbor node of a root node of a network:
receiving priority information from the root node, the priority information including:
a list of communication time slots corresponding to a communication channel; andindication of one or more of the communication time slots during which the one-hop neighbor of the root node has communication priority relative to one or more other one-hop neighbors of the root node;setting at least one of a contention window or an inter-frame spacing of the one-hop neighbor of the root node based on the priority information received from the root node;waiting a predetermined period of time before transmitting information to the root node, wherein waiting the predetermined period of time comprises waiting the at least one of the contention window or the inter-frame spacing;listening on the communication channel for transmissions by other nodes during the predetermined period of time; andtransmitting the information during an indicated time slot in response to expiration of the predetermined period of time without overhearing transmissions by other nodes during the predetermined period of time,wherein the one-hop neighbor of the root node is configured to allow the one or more other one-hop neighbors of the root node to communicate with the root node via the communication channel during the indicated time slot when the one-hop neighbor of the root node does not have information to transmit to the root node.