Forming a time synchronized channel hopping network using guaranteed time slots

• Main Authors: Shudark, Jeff B, Calvert, Chris
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.03.2019
• Subjects: ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; TRANSMISSION; WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS

A network coordinator in a time-slotted channel hopping ("TSCH") network can include a processing device and a memory on which instructions are stored for causing the processing device to (i) determine a first guaranteed time slot in a first occurrence of a hopping pattern is unassigned to any TSCH node of a plurality of TSCH nodes in the TSCH network; (ii) transmit a beacon during the first guaranteed time slot in the first occurrence of the hopping pattern; (iii) receive a signal from a TSCH node outside the TSCH network requesting joinder to the TSCH network; (iv) join the TSCH as a joined TSCH node; (v) assign a second guaranteed time slot to the joined TSCH node; (vi) determine the second guaranteed time slot in a second occurrence of the hopping pattern is assigned; and (vii) listen for communication from the joined TSCH node during the second guaranteed time slot.