Synchronization and time transfer in wireless networks and method therefor

A method for synchronization and time transfer in a wireless system having a single timing source comprising:

• transmitting timing messages at a predetermined time interval by a coordinator node, wherein a time between timing messages is defined as a frame time, the frame time comprising a plurality of time slots, each time slot being of a same duration, wherein the coordinator node is coupled to the single timing source;
• detecting a first valid timing message sent by the coordinator node by a wireless node remote from the coordinator node;
• synchronizing the wireless node to a time on the valid timing message;
• computing a delay time by the wireless node detecting the timing message, wherein the delay time is a time from when the wireless node detects the timing message to a next time slot;
• determining a frame time by the wireless node, wherein the frame time is a time between when the timing message is sent and a next timing message is sent, the frame time comprising a plurality of time slots, each time slot being of a same duration;
• and
• counting down to the next timing message by the wireless node once the frame time is determined to maintain a local system time and be synchronized with the coordinator node.

A wireless node system comprising:

• a coordinator node coupled to a single timing source of the wireless node system, the coordinator node transmitting timing messages at a predetermined time interval, wherein a time between timing messages is defined as a frame time, the frame time comprising a plurality of time slots, each time slot being of a same duration, wherein the coordinator node is coupled to the single timing source;
• and
• a plurality of wireless nodes in wireless communication with the coordinator node, wherein each of the plurality of wireless nodes detect a first valid timing message sent by the coordinator and synchronize to a time on the valid timing message;
• wherein each of the wireless nodes computes a delay time, wherein the delay time is a time from when each of the wireless nodes detects the valid timing message to a next time slot;
• wherein each of the wireless nodes determines a frame time, wherein the frame time is a time between when the timing message is sent and a next timing message is sent, the frame time comprising a plurality of time slots, each time slot being of a same duration;
• and
• wherein each wireless node count down to the next timing message once the frame time is determined to maintain a local system time and be synchronized with the coordinator node.