Mesh Deterministic Access

摘要

A deterministic access system and method is provided that may be used for gaining access to a shared communication medium in a mesh or decentralized network. The deterministic access method enables QoS prioritization for periodic data flows such as those used in streaming media or VOIP communications without the direction of a central controller. The method provides a way for network nodes to schedule communications that take into account the hidden node problem, provide priority access to the communication medium for high QoS data flows, and provide shared access to the medium for lower priority data packets during unscheduled times. The method also enables both backward and forward compatibility with network communication methods as well as interoperability between mesh networks and conventional networks.