Media access control utilizing synchronization signaling

A media access controller for controlling access by a node to a media connected thereto, comprising:

• a synchronization signal generator adapted to randomly transmit, on a frame by frame basis, a synchronization signal onto said media within a synchronization time slot;
• a synchronization mechanism adapted to achieve synchronization between a particular node and other nodes, said synchronization mechanism operative to control the generation of said synchronization signal by said synchronization signal generator;
• a timing mechanism operative to produce a timing signal derived from a plurality of received synchronization signals;
• a frame occupation signal generator adapted to periodically transmit a frame occupation signal within a media busy time slot once said node obtains access to said media for indicating that the next frame is occupied;
• and
• a media access controller for coordinating access to said media, wherein access to said media is not permitted as long the presence of a frame occupation signal is detected on said media.

A method of converging disparate synchronization from a plurality of networks, said method comprising the steps of:

• listening for synchronization signals transmitted from each network;
• if more than one synchronization signal is detected, transmitting a synchronization signal shifted in time for each group of synchronization signals detected;
• nodes in each network capable of detecting said shifted synchronization signals adjusting their synchronization timing in response to said shifted synchronization signals;
• and
• repeating said steps of transmitting and adjusting until unified synchronization is achieved among said plurality of networks.

A node connected to a media, comprising:

• a media coupling circuit adapted to electrically interface said node to said media;
• an application processor for executing an application program;
• a media access controller comprising:
• a synchronization signal generator adapted to randomly transmit, on a frame by frame basis, a synchornization signal onto said media within a synchronization time slot;
• a synchronization mechanism adapted to achieve synchronization between a particular node and other nodes, said synchronization mechanism operative to control the generation of said synchronization signal by said synchronization signal generator;
• a timing mechanism operative to produce a timing signal derived from a plurality of received synchronization signals;
• frame occupation signal generator adapted to periodically transmit a frame occupation signal within a media busy time slot once said node obtains access to said media for indicating that the next frame is occupied;
• and
• a media access controller for coordinating access to said media, wherein access to said media is not permitted as long as the presence of a frame occupation signal is detected on said media;
• a transmit circuit adapted to receive a data stream from said media access controller the transmission onto said media;
• and
• a receive circuit adapted to output a data stream received over said media to said media access controller.

In a network including a plurality of nodes, a method of media access control for achieving coexistence of disparate nodes located in a plurality of groups, said method comprising the steps of:

• allocating a synchronization time slot within frames associated with each group of disparate nodes, said synchronization time slot dedicated to the transmission of synchronization signals;
• allocating a frame occupation time slot within said frames, said frame occupation time slot dedicated to the transmission of frame occupation signals;
• each node inserting a synchronization signal on a predetermined basis during said synchronization time slot;
• each node able to detect synchronization signals from at least one other group, generating converged a synchronization signal skewed toward a converged timing derived therefrom;
• if the timing of said synchronization signals from other groups is sufficiently far apart, transmitting, by a middle node capable of hearing transmissions from other groups, multiple synchronization signals, each corresponding to a respective detected synchronization signal wherein synchronization signals are shifted in time so as to cause the timing of said plurality of groups to converge;
• each node listening for the presence of frame occupation signals to determine whether said media is available;
• and
• once a node detects said media is available, securing said media by transmitting said frame occupation signal during said frame occupation time slot.