Patent ID: 8270429
Filing Date: 2012-09-18
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of operation of a mesh device for communicating within a network comprising: scheduling a mesh access reservation time period for transmission of one or more scheduled mesh access (SMA) frames by the mesh device on a channel; performing contention for the channel after the mesh access reservation time period has been scheduled by the mesh device with one or more other mesh devices in the network during the scheduled mesh access reservation time period, wherein performing contention includes disabling transmission until the mesh device determines the channel is clear of all traffic; starting transmission on the channel of at least one scheduled mesh access (SMA) frame using a channel access function when the mesh device wins the contention for the channel during the scheduled mesh access reservation time period; and completing transmission of the at least one scheduled mesh access frame at a current time period, wherein the current time period comprises one of a time period during the mesh access reservation time period and a time period after the mesh access reservation time period.