Node synchronization for networks
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsAriton E. Xhafa, Jianwei Zhou, Xiaolin Lu
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Abstract
A network includes an intermediate node to communicate with a child node via a wireless network protocol. An intermediate node synchronizer in the intermediate node facilitates time synchronization with its parent node and with the child node. A child node synchronizer in the child node to facilitates time synchronization with the intermediate node. The intermediate node synchronizer exchanges synchronization data with the child node synchronizer to enable the child node to be time synchronized to the intermediate node before the intermediate node is synchronized to its parent node if the intermediate node has not synchronized to its parent node within a predetermined guard time period established for the child node.
Claims20
A network, comprising:
- an intermediate node configured to communicate with a child node via a wireless network protocol, the intermediate node comprising an intermediate node synchronizer configured to facilitate time synchronization with a parent node and with the child node;
- and
- a child node synchronizer in the child node and configured to facilitate time synchronization with the intermediate node,
- wherein the intermediate node synchronizer is further configured to exchange synchronization data with the child node synchronizer to enable the child node to be time synchronized to the intermediate node before the intermediate node is synchronized to the parent node if the intermediate node has not synchronized to the parent node within a guard time period established for the child node.
A method, comprising:
- transmitting a keep alive packet from a child node to an intermediate node requesting timing correction information for the child node;
- sending synchronization data from the intermediate node to the child node indicating a status of the intermediate node with respect to timing synchronization with a parent node;
- and
- synchronizing the child node to the intermediate node via the timing correction information if the intermediate node has not synchronized to the parent node within a guard time period established for the child node.
A method, comprising:
- configuring a child node to communicate in a given time slot of a slot frame;
- configuring an intermediate node to communicate in a subsequent slot of the slot frame;
- synchronizing the timing of the child node to the intermediate node during the slot frame;
- and
- initiating a subsequent time synchronization between the child node and the intermediate node before the intermediate node has synchronized to a parent node.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.