Network device and method for wireless local area network scheduling

A network device for a wireless local area network, wherein the network device is operable to wirelessly communicate with a neighbouring device according to a schedule which allocates timeslots to communication between neighbouring devices;

• the network device comprising:
• a wireless transmitter operable to transmit a request to a parent neighbouring device for at least one timeslot for communicating a first amount of data to the parent neighbouring device;
• a wireless receiver operable to receive a schedule from the parent neighbouring device which allocates timeslots to communication between the network device and the parent neighbouring device;
• wherein
• the number of allocated timeslots is greater than the minimum number of timeslots required to communicate the first amount of data to the parent neighbouring device;
• and
• the network device further comprises a processor configured to:
• transmit data to the parent neighbouring device using the wireless transmitter in a first one of the allocated timeslots;
• and
• selectively:
• transmit data to the parent neighbouring device using the wireless transmitter in a second one of the allocated timeslots;
• or
• receive data from the parent neighbouring device using the wireless receiver in the second one of the allocated timeslots.

A network device for a wireless local area network, wherein the network device is operable to wirelessly communicate with a neighbouring device according to a schedule which allocates timeslots to communication between neighbouring devices;

• the network device comprising:
• a wireless receiver operable to receive a request from a child neighbouring device for timeslots;
• a processor configured to allocate timeslots in a schedule to communication between the network device and the child neighbouring device;
• wherein
• the timeslots allocated to communication between the network device and the child neighbouring device are arranged in the schedule such that a free timeslot immediately follows every timeslot allocated to communication between the network device and the child neighbouring device;
• wherein a free timeslot is a timeslot not allocated to communication between the network device and the child neighbouring device;
• and
• a wireless transmitter operable to transmit the schedule to the child neighbouring device.

A method for defining a schedule for a wireless local area network comprising a plurality of network devices, wherein the schedule allocates timeslots to communication between neighbouring network devices, the method comprising:

• a first network device transmitting a request to a second network device for at least one timeslot for communicating a first amount of data to the second network device;
• the second network device allocating timeslots in a schedule to communication between the first network device and the second network device;
• wherein the number of allocated timeslots is greater than the minimum number of timeslots required to communicate the first amount of data;
• and
• a first one of the allocated timeslots is an uplink timeslot in which the second network device is scheduled to receive data from the first network device;
• and
• a second one of the allocated timeslots is a common timeslot which is selectively operable as an uplink timeslot in which the second network device is scheduled to receive data from the first network device, or a downlink timeslot in which the second network device is scheduled to transmit data to the first network device;
• the second network device sending the schedule to the first network device.

A method for defining a schedule for a wireless local area network comprising a plurality of network devices, wherein the schedule allocates timeslots to communication between neighbouring network devices, the method comprising:

• a first network device sending a request to a second network device for timeslots;
• the second network device allocating timeslots in a schedule to communication with the first network device;
• the allocated timeslots are arranged in the schedule such that a free timeslot immediately follows every timeslot allocated to communication between the first network device and the second network device;
• wherein a free timeslot is a timeslot not allocated to communication between the first network device and the second network device;
• and
• the second network device sending the schedule to the first network device.