Distributed beaconing periods for ad-hoc networks

摘要

In a distributed Mac protocol having a slotted superframe ( 102 ) comprising at least one slotted beacon period ( 104 ) followed by a data transfer period ( 103 ), a system and method is provided for creating and maintaining several beacon periods ( 104 ) at different positions in the superframe ( 102 ). When joining the network ( 300 ) a device ( 301 ) either joins an existing beacon period ( 104 ) or creates a new beacon period ( 104 ) at a position in the superframe ( 102 ) that does not overlap with existing beacon periods ( 104 ) or reservation periods. Beacon periods ( 104 ) mutually protect each other by devices ( 301 ) announcing the neighboring beacon periods in their beacons.