Co-location negotiation scheme for wireless computer networks

• Main Author: Gubbi, Rajugopal R
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.11.2002

The present invention relates generally to communications in a computer network and, in particular, to a scheme for accommodating multiple overlapping networks that share a common communication channel. Bandwidth within a common wireless communication channel used by a number of independent computer networks is allocated by assigning a portion of the total bandwidth of the common wireless communication channel to intra-network communications in each of the independent computer networks. This bandwidth allocation scheme may, from time to time, involve revising existing bandwidth allocations for one or more of the independent computer networks, for example when new networks or new clients in existing networks request bandwidth within the channel. The intra-network communications may occur within a slotted link structure that includes transmission times for master and client devices of the respective network. These transmission times are preferably arranged within a hierarchy that includes transmission times for master and client devices of other networks that share the wireless communication channel. At least one of the computer networks includes a master coordinator unit configured to allocate bandwidth utilization for the common communication channels among the independent computer networks. In some cases, one or more of the independent computer networks may communicate with the master coordinator unit through a proxy-coordinator unit located in a separate one of the independent computer networks from that of the master coordinator unit, in the same computer network as the master coordinator unit or in the same computer network as is utilizing its services.