Patent ID: 8238402
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. An independent node for operating in a wireless communications network including a plurality of said independent nodes, comprising: R.F. circuitry adapted for wirelessly transmitting and receiving pulses between nodes; an internal pulse coupled oscillator (PCO) having a periodic state function ending in a PCO firing, and coupled to the R.F. circuitry for transmitting a sync pulse at the PCO firing; circuitry coupled to increment the state function in response to external sync pulses received from other nodes; and a state machine adapted to switch between synchronized and unsynchronized operation in response to sync pulses received from other nodes, and including first circuitry coupled to identify if and when external sync pulses from other nodes are received between PCO firings to cause the state machine to select either an unsynchronized mode of operation or synchronized, slave or master modes of operation in response thereto.