IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,638,821
Granted Patent B2
US 8,638,821 · App. 13/063,214 · Granted Jan 28, 2014

Method for adjusting time slots in a communication network

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,638,821
App. No.
13/063,214
Granted
Jan 28, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A communication network includes a plurality of communication nodes, each node arranged for communicating frames of data with the other nodes during a dynamic segment having dynamic communication slots with respective communication slot numbers. Each of the plurality of communication nodes includes a time base having consecutive timeslots, associated with the dynamic communication slots; a communication slot number controller, for adjusting a communication slot number, a minislot counter for counting minislots while the adjusting of the communication slot counter is suspended and a control unit for controlling the communication slot number controller to either continue adjusting of the slot number if the determined duration of the reception is above a certain threshold or to continue adjusting of the slot number using the value obtained with the minislot counter if the determined duration of the reception is below a certain threshold.

Claims (55)

1. A communication network for providing media arbitration via a communications protocol using consecutive communication slots in the communication network, the communication network comprising:

a plurality of communication nodes, each node arranged for communicating frames of data with the other nodes during a dynamic segment, the dynamic segment includes dynamic communication slots with respective communication slot numbers, wherein each of the plurality of communication nodes includes:

a time base comprising consecutive timeslots, associated with the dynamic communication slots, each timeslot comprises a transmission action point, wherein transmission of each frame of data starts and ends at a transmission action point;

a communication slot number controller, for adjusting a communication slot number if no communication is ongoing at the end of a time slot and to suspend adjusting the communication slot number if communication is ongoing at the end of a time slot;

a minislot counter for counting minislots of the dynamic segment while the adjusting of the communication slot number counter is suspended; and

the communication slot number controller to either continue the adjusting of the communication slot number if a determined duration of a reception of a frame is above a certain threshold or to continue adjusting of the communication slot number using a value obtained with the minislot counter if the determined duration of the reception of the frame is below a certain threshold, and wherein transmission is suppressed in dynamic slots that follow a dynamic slot in which the determined duration of the reception of the frame is below the certain threshold.

2. A communication node for a communication network, the communication network comprising:

a plurality of communication nodes, each node arranged for communicating frames of data with the other nodes during a dynamic segment, the dynamic segment includes dynamic communication slots with respective communication slot numbers, the communication node including:

a time base comprising consecutive timeslots, associated with the dynamic communication slots, each timeslot comprises a transmission action point, wherein transmission of each frame of data starts and ends at a transmission action point;

a communication slot number controller, for adjusting a communication slot number if no communication is ongoing at the end of a time slot and to suspend adjusting the communication slot number if communication is ongoing at the end of a time slot;

a minislot counter for counting minislots of the dynamic segment while the adjusting of the communication slot number counter is suspended; and

the communication slot number controller to either continue the adjusting of the communication slot number if a determined duration of a reception of a frame is above a certain threshold or to continue adjusting of the communication slot number using a value obtained with the minislot counter if the determined duration of the reception of the frame is below a certain threshold, and wherein

transmission is suppressed in dynamic slots that follow a dynamic slot in which the determined duration of the reception of the frame is below the certain threshold.

3. A method for providing media arbitration in a communication network, the communication network comprising: a plurality of communication nodes, each node arranged for communicating frames of data with the other nodes during a dynamic segment comprising dynamic communication slots with respective communication slot numbers and having a time base comprising consecutive time slots, associated with the dynamic communication slots, each timeslot time slot comprises a transmission action point, wherein transmission of each frame of data starts and ends at a transmission action point, the method comprising:

adjusting a communication slot number if no communication is ongoing at the end of a time slot; and

if communication is ongoing at the end of a time slot:

suspending the adjusting the communication slot number;

counting minislots of the dynamic segment while the adjusting of the communication slot number is suspended;

determining a duration of a reception of a frame;

continue adjusting the communication slot number if the determined duration of the reception is above a certain threshold; or

continue adjusting the communication slot number using a value obtained within a minislot counter if the determined duration of the reception is below the certain threshold; and

suppressing transmission in dynamic slots that follow a dynamic slot in which the determined duration of the reception of the frame is below the certain threshold.

4. A communication controller for a network node as claimed in claim 2 , comprising:

a memory for storing a time base comprising consecutive timeslots, associated with the dynamic communication slots, each timeslot comprises a transmission action point, wherein transmission of each frame of data starts and ends at a transmission action point.

5. A communication controller for a network node as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising:

a communication slot number controller, for adjusting a communication slot number if no communication is ongoing at the end of a time slot and to suspend adjusting the communication slot number if communication is ongoing at the end of a time slot.

6. A communication controller for a network node as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising:

a minislot counter for counting minislots of the dynamic segment while the adjusting of the communication slot number is suspended.

7. A communication controller for a network node as claimed in claim 6 ,

wherein a duration of a reception of a frame is determined.

8. A communication controller for a network node as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising:

the communication slot number controller to either continue adjusting of the communication slot number if a determined duration of a reception of a frame is above a certain threshold or to continue adjusting of the communication slot number using the value obtained with the minislot counter if the determined duration of the reception of the frame is below the certain threshold.

9. A communication controller for a network node as claimed in claim 8 ,

wherein transmission is suppressed in dynamic slots that follow a dynamic slot in which the determined duration of the reception of the frame is below the certain threshold.

10. The method as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising:

adjusting at a communication controller of a network node, a communication slot number if no communication is ongoing at the end of a time slot and to suspend adjusting the communication slot number if communication is ongoing at the end of a time slot.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:

counting, at the communication controller of the network node, minislots of the dynamic segment while the adjusting of the communication slot number is suspended.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising:

determining, at the communication controller of the network node, a duration of a reception of a frame.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising:

controlling, at the communication controller of the network, the communication slot number controller to either continue adjusting of the slot number if the determined duration of the reception of the frame is above a certain threshold or to continue adjusting of the slot number using the value obtained with the minislot counter if the determined duration of the reception of the frame is below a certain threshold.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13 , further comprising:

suppressing, at the communication controller of the network node, transmission in dynamic slots that follow a dynamic slot in which the determined duration of the reception of the frame is below a certain threshold.

15. A communication controller for a network node as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising:

a communication slot number controller, for adjusting a communication slot number if no communication is ongoing at the end of a time slot and to suspend adjusting the communication slot number if communication is ongoing at the end of a time slot.

16. A communication controller for a network node as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising:

a minislot counter for counting minislots of the dynamic segment while the adjusting of the communication slot number is suspended.

17. A communication controller for a network node as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising:

the communication slot number controller to either continue adjusting of the communication slot number if a determined duration of a reception of a frame is above a certain threshold or to continue adjusting of the communication slot number using a value obtained with the minislot counter if the determined duration of the reception of the frame is below the certain threshold.

18. A communication controller for a network node as claimed in claim 17 ,

wherein transmission is suppressed in dynamic slots that follow a dynamic slot in which the determined duration of the reception of the frame is below the certain threshold.

19. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

storing, at a memory, a time base comprising consecutive timeslots, associated with the dynamic communication slots, each timeslot comprises a transmission action point, wherein transmission of each frame of data starts and ends at a transmission action point.

20. The method of claim 3 , wherein a first minislot of the dynamic segment is a matching minislot and a second minislot of the dynamic segment is a mismatching minislot.

Assignments (26)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040925 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V. F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 052917/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040928 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 052915/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037486 FRAME 0517. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 053547/0421 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042985 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0387 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051030/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042762 FRAME 0145. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051145/0184 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050745/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050744/0097 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. FROM 13,883,290 TO 13,833,290 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 041703 FRAME 0536. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS.. Recorded Feb 20, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: SHENZHEN XINGUODU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048734/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042762/0145 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042985/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE PATENTS 8108266 AND 8062324 AND REPLACE THEM WITH 6108266 AND 8060324 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037518 FRAME 0292. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Feb 1, 2017
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 041703/0536 →
MERGER Recorded Jan 3, 2017
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 041144/0363 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 040928/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V., F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040925/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12092129 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Jul 14, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039361/0212 →
SUPPLEMENT TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039138/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Mar 7, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 038017/0058 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 13, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037518/0292 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 12, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037486/0517 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037357/0387 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037357/0285 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037357/0334 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 6, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
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ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2011
From: TEMPLE, CHRISTOPHER; RAUSCH, MATHIAS
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
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