MULTI-SPEED MESH NETWORKS

Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a communications facility that is adapted to communicate with at least one other mesh network node at a communication speed selected from a plurality of communication speeds.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a mesh network which includes a number of network nodes;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic of mesh network and node control software;

FIG. 3 shows an example of a type of re-transmission hand shaking;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a type of re-transmission hand shaking;

FIG. 5 shows how simultaneous communication to even a small number of nodes impacts communication on a mesh network;

FIG. 5A shows an inclusion controller used to include a new slave on behalf of the network SIS.

FIG. 6 shows software components of a mesh network split into a slave application and basis software;

FIG. 7 shows controller node software features;

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of the a mesh network node;

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a transceiver and RF modem;

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are waveforms of asymmetric modulation;

FIG. 9C is a block diagram of the Phase-Lock-Loop functionality of the invention;

FIG. 9D is a timing diagram of the sequence for frequency calibration;

FIG. 9E is a waveform of VCO automatic self-calibration; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a timing diagram of a pulse width modulated output (PWM);

FIG. 11 shows I/O for a typical application circuit;

FIG. 12 shows external crystal connections;

FIG. 13 shows a simplified block diagram of an internal reset circuit;

FIG. 14 shows the RF connections in a typical application;

FIG. 15 shows a typical RS232 UART application circuit;

FIG. 16 gives a waveform of a serial byte;

FIG. 17 shows external interrupts;

FIG. 18 shows a simplified TRIAC application circuit;

FIG. 19 shows typical TRIAC waveforms;

FIG. 20 shows zero cross detection disturbed by noise;

FIG. 21 shows a masking of zero cross detection;

FIG. 22 shows the timing of a zero cross detect output;

FIG. 23 shows TRIAC fire delay from zero cross detect;

FIG. 24 shows TRIAC fire delay of FIG. 23 with a correction period;

FIG. 25 illustrates an overview of the internal ADC block;

FIG. 26 shows two registers connected as one distributed shift register;

FIG. 27 shows a typical interface application of an EEPROM;

FIG. 28 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a typical interface to programming equipment;

FIG. 29 illustrates a multi-speed demodulator.

FIG. 30 illustrates the potential relations between a media server, media renderer, and control point.

FIG. 31 illustrates a simplified embodiment of a media server, media renderer, and control point combination within a home audio-visual system.

Claims

1. A method comprising: a communications facility adapted to communicate with at least one other mesh network node at a communication speed selected from a plurality of communication speeds, wherein the plurality of communication speeds operate on the same communications channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications channel is a wireless communications channel.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the wireless communications channel operates through at least one wireless frequency.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected communication speed is selected based on a criterion.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the criterion comprises a desired communication speed.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the desired communication speed is a maximum communication speed.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the desired communication speed is a minimum communication speed.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the criterion comprises a desired communication bandwidth.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the desired communication bandwidth is maximized.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein the criterion comprises a desired communication path.

11-15. (canceled)

16. A method of wireless communication comprising: selecting a signal communication speed from a plurality of signal communication speeds associated with a first network node within a mesh network; andtransmitting a signal from the first network node at the selected signal communication speed, wherein the transmitted signal is intended to be received by a second network node within the mesh network.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the process of selecting the signal transmission speed is manual.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the manual process involves selecting the signal transmission speed from an associated mesh network node.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the process of selecting the signal transmission speed is automatic.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the automated selection process involves an audit process, wherein the audit process involves determining at least one acceptable communication speed associated with the second network node.

21-38. (canceled)

39. A method of configuring communication speeds within a mesh network comprising: selecting a first signal communication speed for a first network node within a mesh network, wherein the first signal communication speed is selected based on information relating to a second network node within the mesh network; andstoring information relating to the first signal communication speed in a data structure associated with the first network node.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the first signal communication speed is selected from a plurality of speeds.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the information relating to the first signal communication speed is referred to prior to communicating with the second network node.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein the method further comprises selecting a second signal communication speed for the first network node, wherein the second signal communication speed is selected based on information relating to a third network node within the mesh network.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the method further comprises storing information relating to the second signal communication speed in the data structure.

44-112. (canceled)