Low-power ad hoc network entry
View Patent ↗A method, a node and an energy-conserving ad hoc network are provided that facilitate nodes joining the energy-conserving ad hoc network. A node includes a transceiver ( 210 ), a transmitter ( 206 ), and processing logic ( 202 ). The processing logic ( 202 ) is configured to control operation of the transceiver ( 210 ) and the transmitter ( 206 ). The processing logic ( 202 ) is further configured to transmit a wake-up signal via the transmitter ( 206 ) and receive a network entry message ( 600 ) from one of a group of existing nodes ( 101 ) in the network ( 100 ). The network entry message ( 600 ) includes scheduled times ( 620, 640 ) in which at least one of the existing nodes ( 101 ) in the network is available to receive. The processing logic ( 202 ) is further configured to join the network ( 100 ) based on the received scheduled times ( 620, 640 ).
1. An energy-conserving ad hoc network including a plurality of nodes, each of the nodes comprising:
a transceiver configured to receive and transmit data messages;
processing logic;
a memory configured to store a schedule of reception times;
a bellringer transmitter; and
a bellringer receiver, wherein:
when the node is an existing node in the network,
the processing logic is configured to:
receive a wake-up signal via the bellringer receiver, and
responsive to the receiving of the wake-up signal, transmit, via the transceiver, a message including the schedule of reception times,
when the node is a node joining the network,
the processing logic is configured to:
transmit the wake-up signal,
receive the message from an existing one of the nodes in the network, and
join the network based on the message.
2. The energy-conserving ad-hoc network of claim 1 , wherein when the node is an existing node, the processing logic of the node is further configured to wait a random time interval before responding to the wake-up signal.
3. The energy-conserving ad hoc network of claim 1 , wherein when the node is an existing node, the processing logic further is configured to determine whether to respond to the received wake-up signal based on one of a random decision, a received signal strength of the wake-up signal, a current density of the network from a point of view of the existing node, and one or more certain time periods during which the existing node is configured to respond to the received wake-up signal.