(54) COMMUNICATION TIMING CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS, NODE, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
(75) Inventors: Toshihiko Matsunaga, Osaka (JP);
Masaki Yamauchi, Osaka (JP);
Masaaki Date, Osaka (JP); Shigeru
Fukunaga, Osaka (JP)
(73) Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 652 days.
(21) Appl.No.: 11/072,234
(22) Filed: Mar. 7, 2005
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2005/0195771 Al Sep. 8, 2005
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data
Mar. 8,2004 (JP) 2004-064619
(51) Int. CI.
H04J 3/06 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. CI 370/350; 370/503; 370/516;
375/356
(58) Field of Classification Search 370/241,
370/343, 350, 390, 485, 503-516; 725/107;
375/354-362 See application file for complete search history.
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,156,847 A * 5/1979 Tazawaetal 725/107
5,483,518 A * 1/1996 Whetsel 370/241
6,307,868 Bl* 10/2001 Rakibetal 370/485
6,381,236 Bl* 4/2002 Miyashita et al 370/343
A communication timing control apparatus for use in the nodes of a communication system includes a signal communication unit that transmits a state variable signal to neighboring nodes and receives state variable signals from those nodes. An external control signal, such as a beacon signal transmitted by a control node, is also received. The state variable signals indicate internal operating states or timings of the nodes; the control signal indicates a basic transition rate. A timing decision unit causes internal state or timing transitions to occur at timings responsive to the basic transition rate and the received state variable signals, adjusting the transition timings so as to avoid signal collisions and to adapt to changing system conditions, Use of the control signal enables a steady timing state to be reached quickly.
12 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
