Adaptive network to dynamically account for hidden nodes
OwnerVladimir Oksmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a network element that is configured to be associated with a network having a number of nodes. A proxy node is configured to distinguish between a some signals received from a master node and other signals received from at least one hidden node, where the at least one hidden node is unable to bi-directionally directly communicate with the master at a given time. The proxy node is further configured to relay at least one signal between the master node and the hidden node to facilitate addition of the hidden node to the network via the master node. Other methods and devices are also disclosed.
Claims18
A network element configured to be associated with a network having a number of nodes, comprising:
- a proxy node configured to distinguish between a some signals received from a master node and other signals received from at least one hidden node, where the at least one hidden node is unable to bi-directionally directly communicate with the master at a given time;
- the proxy node further configured to relay at least one signal between the master node and the hidden node to facilitate addition of the hidden node to the network via the master node.
A method for communicating over a network and to be carried out by a proxy node, comprising:
- determining whether a received signal is a beacon signal transmitted by a master node or an access request transmitted by a hidden node that is unable to bi-directionally directly communicate with the master node;
- and
- using a media access plan associated with the beacon signal to determine an assigned relayed beacon timeslot from a number of relayed beacon timeslots;
- providing control signals to transmit a relayed beacon signal during the relayed beacon timeslot.
A network element, comprising:
- means for reconfiguring a node of a network by dynamically transitioning between:
- a network node status where the node can communicate bi-directionally directly with a master node;
- and
- a proxy node status where the node can communicate bi-directionally directly with the master and also relay signals between hidden nodes which cannot bi-directionally directly communicate with the master node.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.