Methods and apparatuses for synchronization of wireless devices in wireless networks

摘要

To maintain a synchronized wireless peer group, timing signals may be periodically transmitted by one or more devices in the wireless peer group. These periodic timing signals may be transmitted by different wireless devices in the peer group, distributing (sharing) the transmit power burden among the different wireless devices, increasing the useful operation time of the individual wireless devices. Similarly, the wireless peer group may monitor for timing signals received from devices that are not part of the wireless peer group. This monitoring burden may also be distributed (shared) among the devices in the peer group allowing for a greater sleep time for individual wireless devices, increasing the useful operation time of the individual wireless devices.

主权项

1. A method for synchronizing a first wireless device with a peer group, comprising:
receiving at the first wireless device a first timing signal transmitted at a first transmission rate from a second wireless device, the second wireless device being in the peer group; synchronizing the first wireless device with the peer group using the received first timing signal; estimating by the first wireless device a number of devices in the peer group that are transmitting timing signals; determining a second transmission rate based on the number of devices in the peer group that are transmitting timing signals, the second transmission rate being lower than the first transmission rate; and transmitting from the first wireless device a second timing signal having the second transmission rate.