Receiver scheduling in ad hoc wireless networks

A method of performing receiver scheduling at a node in a wireless network, the wireless network including a plurality of nodes, the method comprising:

• storing a local receiver schedule at the node, the local receiver schedule including a number of reception definitions, each reception definition indicating a time and manner in which the node will operate to receive information messages from other nodes in the network, the time including a time at which the node will operate a receiver to receive the information messages;
• repeatedly updating the local receiver schedule at the node;
• and
• transmitting the reception definitions of a most recently updated local receiver schedule from the node to other nodes in the network.

A computer readable medium encoded with instructions for controlling at least one node, comprising:

• computer code for storing a local receiver schedule, the local receiver schedule including a number of reception definitions, each reception definition indicating a time and manner in which the node will operate to receive information messages, the time including a time at which the node will power up a receiver to receive the information messages;
• computer code for repeatedly updating the local receiver schedule;
• and
• computer code for causing the reception definitions of a most recently updated local receiver schedule to be transmitted such that the reception definitions of the prevailing local receiver schedule are bound for other network nodes.

A node for use in a wireless network, comprising:

• a memory configured for storage purposes, and
• a processor in communication with the memory, the processor configured to:
• store a receiver schedule including a number of reception definitions, at least one of the reception definitions indicating a time and manner in which the node will operate to receive information messages, the time including a time at which the node will operate a receiver to receive the information messages;
• said receiver schedule being repeatedly modified such that the reception definitions of a prevailing local receiver schedule is received for update purposes.