Wireless communication synchronization
AssigneeIHS iMonitoring Inc.
InventorsPhilip Couch, Alexander Barry, Robert Harman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of communicating among wireless devices includes providing a frequency hopping schedule to a target device. The frequency hopping schedule includes a sequence of frequencies. The method also includes, at the target device, alternately sleeping and listening on a frequency in the sequence of frequencies according to the frequency hopping schedule, exchanging time base information between the target device and the transmitting device, at the transmitting device, using the time base information to determine a current frequency of the target device, from the transmitting device, and transmitting a packet of information uniquely addressed to the target device.
Claims20
A method of communicating among wireless devices, comprising:
- providing a frequency hopping schedule to a target device, wherein the frequency hopping schedule comprises a sequence of frequencies;
- at the target device, alternately sleeping and listening on a frequency in the sequence of frequencies according to the frequency hopping schedule;
- exchanging time base information between the target device and the transmitting device;
- at the transmitting device, using the time base information to determine a current frequency of the target device;
- and
- from the transmitting device, transmitting a packet of information uniquely addressed to the target device.
A wireless sensing device, comprising:
- a self-contained power source;
- a bidirectional radio;
- a sensor;
- and
- a control system;
- wherein the control system is programmed to cause the sensing device to:
- receive a frequency hoping schedule, wherein the frequency hopping schedule comprises a sequence of frequencies over which the radio is configured to communicate;
- alternately sleep and listen on a frequency in the sequence of frequencies according to the frequency hopping schedule;
- respond to a blip on a given frequency by at least temporarily ceasing alternately sleeping and listening;
- receive a uniquely addressed transmission from a transmitting device;
- respond to the uniquely addressed transmission with an acknowledgement transmission, wherein the acknowledgement transmission includes time base information;
- and
- receive a packet of uniquely-addressed information on a frequency determined, at least in part, by the time base information and the frequency hoping schedule.
A wireless field sensing network, comprising:
- at least one transmitting device;
- and
- at least one target device;
- wherein the at least one target device is configured to:
- receive a frequency hoping schedule, wherein the frequency hopping schedule comprises a sequence of frequencies over which the radio is configured to communicate;
- alternately sleep and listen on a frequency in the sequence of frequencies according to the frequency hopping schedule;
- respond to a blip from a transmitting device on a given frequency by at least temporarily ceasing alternately sleeping and listening;
- receive a uniquely addressed transmission from the transmitting device;
- respond to the uniquely addressed transmission with an acknowledgement transmission, wherein the acknowledgement transmission includes time base information;
- and
- receive a packet of uniquely-addressed information on a frequency determined, at least in part, by the time base information and the frequency hoping schedule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.