CA2628754A1

CA2628754A1 - A method and apparatus for managing communications within a distributed network

Info

Publication number: CA2628754A1
Application number: CA002628754A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Leor Hardy; Yariv Oren
Original assignee: Virtual Extension Ltd.; Leor Hardy; Yariv Oren
Current assignee: Virtual Extension Ltd
Priority date: 2005-11-21
Filing date: 2006-11-21
Publication date: 2007-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-21
Also published as: AU2006314083B2; US20070116063A1; EP1952566A4; EP1952566A2; WO2007057910A2; WO2007057910A3; CN101507156B; CA2628754C; US7974232B2; EP1952566B1; AU2006314083A1; CN101507156A

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for managing communications within a distributed network. According to some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may include a communication management module and a synchronization module. The communication management module may be operatively coupled to a communication module belonging to the distributed network. The communication management module may be adapted to allocate for a communication within the network a communication frame comprised of a predetermined number of timeslots. The communication management module may configure the communication module coupled thereto to repeat the communication at one or more of the timeslots of the frame allocated for the communication.
The synchronization module may be adapted to synchronize the communication module with at least one other communication module within the distributed network.

Description

A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING COMMUNICATIONS
WITHIN A DISTRIBUTED NETWORK
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/738,025, filed November 21, 2005, entitled "A Method and Apparatus for Managing Communications within a Distributed Network". In addition this application claims priority from US Patent Application Serial No. 11/289,643, filed November 30, 2005, entitled "A Metliod and Apparatus for Managing Communications within a Distributed Network".

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] The present invention generally relates to the field of wireless communication networks. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method a.nd an apparatus for managing communications within a distributed network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] In some distributed systems, such as distributed command and control systems, for example, it is known to implement a wireless network in order to enable a central unit (e.g., a command and control unit) to communicate with the physically removed functional units. In order for the distributed system to operate, the command and control unit and each of the functional units (e.g. controllers, sensors, etc.) must be able to communicate with one another. For this purpose, a transceiver is commonly coupled to each functional unit to enable the functional units to exchange data, such as control signals or operation parameters, with the central unit and vice-versa.

[004] Unfortunately, experience has shown, that the above described network structure does not perforin efficiently in many cases. For example, if the distance between a certain transceiver and a central unit is'too great, or if there is some other disturbance or obstacle disturbing or preventing communications between the transceiver (and the functional unit coupled thereto) and the central unit, the exchange of data between the central unit and the functional unit will be hampered, as well as the operation of the system as a whole.

[005] Theoretically, each transceiver has the ability to receive and transmit communications arriving from one of the other transceivers within the network.
Therefore, it would seem, that a transceiver (or a sequence of transceivers) that is within range of the central unit may be used as a relay for a transceiver(s) that is too distant to directly communicate with the central unit. The relay transceiver(s), in this case, will receive from the too distant transceiver coinmunications intended to the central unit and will retransmit the communications to the central unit, and vice-versa, if necessary.
Similarly, it would seem, that a transceiver (or a sequence of transceivers) in communication with a central unit might be used to provide an alternative communication path between a certain transceiver and the central unit, in case the direct communication path between the transceiver and the central unit is blocked or otherwise interrupted.

[006] Unfortunately, in many cases this solution is unsuitable. Without the addition of resources and suitable logic, each transceiver will retransmit a communication received from another transmitter without any control or restriction and with no synchronization with the other transceivers. The retransmitted signal may be received by the other transceivers and retransmitted over and over again. Consequently, many of the network's communication paths will soon becoine congested, significantly reducing the network's performance, and preventing the transceivers from retransmitting additional communications.

[007] In order to overcome some of these problems, it has been suggested to add routers to the network. Routers are used, for example, as an intermediate relay, positioned between an otherwise too distant transceiver(s) and a central unit, to enable the transceiver(s) and the central unit to communicate over enhanced distances, and/or to create an alternative communication path to bypass interference in the communication path between a certain transceiver(s) and the central unit.

[008] Routers however, are usually substantially more complex than the transceivers coupled to the functional units and must include additional processing and memory resources. In addition, routers usually include substantially sophisticated logic, which is not necessary in transceivers. This complexity is translated not only to a substantially higher cost, but also to a more complex setup. Thus, the introduction of routers into a wireless network entails increased costs and necessitates a professional installation and setup, as well as maintenance, which increase costs even further.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[009] There is thus a need for a system, method and device to enable one or more nodes within a network to communicate with one or more other nodes within the network which cannot be reached via a direct transmission, for example, since the destination node or nodes are distant, or in another example, since the there is some local interference blocking a direct transmission to the destination node.
There is a further need for such a system, method and device which enables robust and reliable wireless communication using relatively inexpensive resources.

[010] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for managing communications within a distributed network.. According to some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may include a communication management module and a synchronization module. The communication management module may be operatively coupled to a communication module belonging to the distributed network. The communication management module may be adapted to allocate for a communication within the network a communication frame comprised of a predetermined number of timeslots. The communication management module may configure the communication module coupled thereto to repeat the communication at one or more of the timeslots of the fraine allocated for the communication. The timeslots may, for example, be equal in length and may each correspond to a predetermined fraction or portion of the length of a full communication frame. The synchronization module may be adapted to synchronize frames across the distributed network, either directly or indirectly.
According to further embodiments of the invention, the synchronization module may be adapted to bit synchronize the communication module with at least one other communication module within the distributed network.

[011] According to some embodiments of the invention, the communication management module may be adapted to configure the communication module to repeat a communication at one or more timeslots of a frame subsequent to the initial transmission of the communication. The communication management module may be fiuther adapted to configure the communication module to repeat a communication received during a certain frame at one or more timeslots subsequent to the receipt of the communication.

[012] The communication management module may be adapted to configure the communication module to repeat the communication up-to the end of the frame allocated for the communication. According to further embodiments of the invention, the communication management module may be adapted to configure the communication module to repeat the communication up-to a predetermined timeslot or until an indication is received that the conununication was repeated by another communication module, other than by a communication module from which the cominunication was received. According to some embodiments, the communication management module may be adapted to configure the communication module to alter the amplitude of each repeated communication. . The communication management module may be adapted to configure- the communication module to randomly or.
pseudo-randomlyalter the amplitude of each repeated communication.

[013] According to some embodiments of the invention, the communication management module may be further adapted to switch to a listening mode following a transmission of a communication. According to further embodiments of the invention, during the listening mode, the communication management module is configured to utilize the communication module to detect transmissions from other nodes witliin the network. According to still further embodiments of the invention, during the listening mode the communication manageinent module is configured to inhibit outbound transmissions by the communication module associated therewith. The communication management module may be adapted to remain in the listening mode for a predetermined number of timeslots. The communication management module may be adapted to remain in the listening mode during at least two timeslots.

[014] According to some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may further include a storage medium. The communication management module may be adapted to temporarily store a communication transmitted by the communication module while the communication management module is in the listening mode.

[015] According to some embodiments of the invention, the communication management module may adapted to instruct the communication module to repeat, a communication transmitted by the communication module in case no indication is received while during the listening mode that the communication was transmitted by another communication module, other than by a communication module from which the communication was received. The communication management module may be adapted to switch to a standby mode in case an indication is received that a communication transmitted by the communication module was transmitted by another communication module, other than the communication module from which the _communication was received, or beyond a predefined timeslot.

[016] According to some embodiments of the preset invention, the communication management module may be adapted to include in a coinmunication frame a selected number of functional timeslots and a predefined number of buffer timeslots which may be the concluding timeslots of the frame. The communication management module may be adapted to select. the number of functional timeslots to be included in a communication- frame in accordance with -the number of repetitions detennined to be required - to deliver the conununication to its destination. The communication -management module may be adapted to select the number of functional timeslots to be included in a communication frame in accordance with the number of repetitions determined to be required to deliver the communication to a central unit within the network. The communication management module may be adapted to adjust the number of functional timeslots to be included in a communication frame in case the number of timeslots required for delivering the communication to the central unit changes. The communication management module may be adapted to adjust the number of functional timeslots to be included in a communication frame in case one or more of the buffer timeslots are used to deliver the communication to its destination.

[017] Further embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of managing communications within a distributed network. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the method of managing communication within the distributed network may include bit synchronizing a first communication module within the distributed network with a second communication module within the distributed network, allocating a communication frame comprised of a predetermined number of timeslots for a communication that is to be transmitted by the first communication module over the network, and configuring the second communication module to repeat the communication at one or more timeslots of the communication frame allocated for the communication.

[018] Yet further embodiments of the present invention relate to a system for managing communications within a distributed network. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the system may include at least a first and second communication management modules and at least a first and a second synchronization modules. The first communication management module may be associated with a first communication module and the second -communication management module may be . associated with a second communication module. The first and second communication management modules may be adapted to allocate a communication frame comprised of a predetermined number of tiineslots for a communication that is intended for being transmitted over the network. The first and second communication management modules may be further adapted to configure, respectively, the first and the second communication modules to repeat the communication at one or more timeslots of the frame allocated for the communication. The first synchronization module may be associated with the first communication module and the second synchronization module may be associated with the second communication module. The first and second synchronization modules may be adapted to synchronizing at least the first and second communication modules. According to some embodiments of the invention, the first and the second communication modules may thus be configured such that the communication frame and the timeslots are synchronized on the first and second communication modules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[019] In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[020] FIG. 1 which is a block diagram illustration of a node belonging to a distributed communication network, which includes a communication module and an apparatus for managing communications within a distributed network, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

[021] FIG. 2A is a flowchart illustration of a method of managing communications within a distributed network, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

[022] FIG. 2B is a flow chart illustration of some aspects of the method of managing communications within a distributed network, in accordance with some einbodiments of the present invention; and [023] FIG. 3 is block diagram illustration of a simplified model of distributed network comprised of a plurality of nodes, each including an apparatus for managing communications 'within the distributed network, according to some embodiments of the invention;

[024] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustration of a distributed network in which the apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention is implemented;

[025] . FIG. 5 is a-flowchart illustration of a process of determining the initial number of timeslots to be included in a coinmunication frame, as part of some embodiments of the present invention; and [026] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustration of a process of dynamically adjusting the number of timeslots to be included in a communication frame, as part of some embodiments of the present invention.

[027] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the eleinents may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

-g-DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[027] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[028] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "generating", "assigning" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system's registers andlor memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

[029] Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatuses for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs) electrically programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable and programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, or any other type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and capable of being coupled to a computer system bus.

[030] The processes and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the desired method. The desired.

structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. In addition, embodiments of the present invention are not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the inventions as described herein.

[031 ] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a block diagrain illustration of a node belonging to a distributed communication network, which includes a communication module and an apparatus for managing communications within a distributed network, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As part of some embodiments of the present invention, two or more nodes within a distributed network (not shown), of which the node 15 is part of, may include a communication module 30 and a copy of the apparatus 100 for inanaging a communication module. As part of some embodiments of the present invention, the communication module 30 may be utilized to communicate with one or more of the other nodes in the network.
The communication module 30 may be operatively coupled to the apparatus for managing the communication module 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, each copy of the apparatus 100 may be adapted to control some aspects of the operation of the communication module 30 coupled thereto, as will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. For convenience, as part of the description of some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus for managing the communication module 100 may be described as being attached to each communication module 30 within the network. However, it should be appreciated that according to further embodiments of the invention the apparatus for managing the communication module 100 may be attached only to some of the communication modules within the network and not necessarily to all of which.
[032] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, each apparatus 100 for managing a communication module may include a communication management module 110 and a synchronization module 120. Reference is now additionally made to FIG. 2A, which is a flowchart illustration of a method of managing communications within a distributed network, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the synchronization module 120 may be adapted to synchronize the communication module 30 with each of the other communication modules within the distributed network (block 210) or with at least some of the other communication modules within the distributed network, for example, in case only some of the cominunication modules includes the communication management module 110, the synchronization module 120 may be adapted to synchronize the communication module 30 only with other communication module which include the communication management module 110. For example, in accordance with some embodiments.of the present invention,.each copy of the apparatus 100 may utilize the synchronization module 120 included therein to synchronize the communication module 30 coupled thereto with the other communication modules within the distributed network.

[033] In accordance with further embodiments, the synchronization module 120 -may be utilized in a manner to maintain the bit synchronization of the communication modules 30 (some or all) within the communication network. For example, the synchronization module 120 may be utilized before each allocation of a communication frame or after a predefined number of frames. In accordance with another example, the synchronization module 120 may be utilized routinely at predefined time intervals and/or whenever a predefined criterion or criteria is met or wlien ever a certain event occurs, for example, whenever a time offset between the communication modules grows beyond a predetermined threshold. Various synchronization methods or techniques known in the present or yet to be devised in the future may be implemented in the synchronization module 120 and may be utilized by the synchronization module 120 to synchronize the communication module 30 coupled thereto with the other communication modules within the network and to maintain the communication modules at a substantially synclironized state, including, but not limited to, the adjustment of an adjustable clock 125 operatively coupled to each of the communication modules. Additional aspects of the synchronization of the communication modules according to some embodiments of the present invention shall be discussed in greater detail herein below.

[034] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the communication management module 110 may be adapted to allocate for a communication within the network 10 a communication frame comprised of a predetermined number of timeslots (block 220). According to further embodiments of the invention, the communication management module 110 may be adapted to allocate a communication frame only for certain type(s) of communications, and may be configured to implement other communication methods in respect of other communication types.

[035] The communication management module 110 may be further adapted to configure the communication module 30 coupled thereto to repeat a communication at one or more of timeslots of a frame allocated for that communication (block 230), as will be described in greater detail below. In accordance with some embodiments..of the present invention, each communication frame may correspond to a predetermined amount of time. The timeslots may be equal in length to one another and may correspond to a predetermined fraction or portion -of the length of a full communication -frame. In accordance with some_embodiments, since each of the communication modules30 within the distributed network is synchronized with each and all of the other communication modules within the distributed network, the beginning of each allocated frame, as well-as of each timeslot of each frame, may be synchronized throughout the network.

[036] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a block diagram illustration of 'a simplified model of distributed network 10 comprised of a plurality of nodes, each including an apparatus for managing communications within the distributed network, according to some embodiments of the invention. Each-node 15 within the network 10 may include or be associated with the apparatus 100 for managing communications within the network. Each node 15 within the network may also include at" least a communication module 30, and the apparatus for managing communications within the network 100 may be operatively coupled to the communication module 30. As part of some embodiments, the communication modules 30 may be any presently known or yet to be devised in the future transceiver(s) or similar communication device or devices capable of transmitting communications to each of the other nodes 15, either directly or indirectly, and capable of receiving communications from each of the other nodes 15, either directly or indirectly. According to some embodiments of the present invention, each (copy of the) apparatus 100 may be adapted to manage some aspects of the operation of the communication module 30 coupled thereto as described throughout the specification.

[037] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the distributed network 10 may include a central unit 20. The central unit 20 may include a communication module 30 and a copy of the apparatus 100 for managing communications within the network according to some embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the central unit 20 may be configured to manage and control some aspects of the operation of the other nodes 15 and may be utilized to collect data from the other nodes 151. For example, the central unit 20 and the other nodes 15, may be configured such that during normal operation mode, a node 15 is allowed to communicate only in response to a communication received from the central unit 20. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the, , central unit 20 may control the communication traffic within the network during normal operation mode in a manner to allow only one of the other nodes to communicate at any given time. It should be noted that it is possible that the network 10 and each of the nodes 15 within the network, including the central unit 20 may, in accordance,.with some embodiments of the invention, be configured to operate in accordance with other operation modes, for example, a synchronization mode, a configuration mode, etc., and that during such other operation modes other communication rules may apply. It should also be noted that during any of these modes or during any other modes, the network may operate in accordance with the same communication rules which where discussed above with reference to the normal operation mode.

[038] According to some embodiments of the present invention, each communication from the central unit 20 during the normal operation mode may be addressed to a specific node 15 within the network. According to yet further embodiments of the present invention, while the network is in normal operation mode, each of the nodes 15 within the network 10 (excluding the central unit 20) may be configured to transmit a communication over the network 10 only in response to a previous communication providing for such a response communication received from the central unit 20 and addressed to that node. For example, the central unit 15 may transmit a communication (during the frame allocated for that communication) to a specific node, instructing that node to provide the central unit with certain data. Upon receiving the communication from the central unit 15, the destination node may retrieve data from storage or may otherwise obtain or generate a response, and may transmit the response back to the central unit 20 at the first timeslot of a frame allocated for the response communication.
According to other embodiments of the present invention, the central unit 20 may include additional circuitry and/or software to enable the central unit 20 to control the other nodes or units 15 or to collect data from the other nodes or units 15.

[039] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the central unit 20 may be adapted to determine the length of a frame that is to be allocated for a communication within the network: In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the central unit may be adapted to detemline the number of timeslots to be included in a frame allocated for a communication within the network. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention the central unit 20 may be adapted to determine the number of timeslots to be included in a frame, in accordance with the number of repetitions necessary for delivering a communication to and/or from a node in the network.

[040] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, as part of determining the number of timeslots to be allocated for a communication within the network, the central unit 20 may initiate a configuration process aimed at determining the number of repetitions required for delivering a communication to and/or from a node 15 within the network. The configuration process may be used to determine the number of repetitions required for delivering a communication to and/or from any of the other nodes in the network. In accordance with one, non-limiting, exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as part of the configuration process, the central unit 20 may serially transmit to each of the nodes 15 within the network a communication, to which the node may be requested to respond by transmitting back to the central unit 20 an acknowledge message. The central unit 20 may either instruct (through the communication) each of the nodes 15 to include in the acknowledge communication the timeslot number during which the communication from the central unit was received, and/or (either alternatively or in addition), the central unit 20 may determine at which timeslot of the subsequent frame the acknowledge communication was received at the central unit 20. In case, for whatever reason, the central unit 20 does not receive an acknowledge communication during the subsequent frame, the central unit 20 may increase the number of timeslots included in each frame and may repeat the communication until an acknowledge communication is received at the subsequent frame from that node 15. This process may be repeated for each node within the network 10. Once the central unit 20 receives the acknowledge communication from all the nodes, it may determine what number of repetitions is necessary to allow the central unit to communicate with each of the nodes 15 and/or what number of repetitions is necessary to allow each of the nodes 15 to communicate with the central unit 20.

[041] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the distributed network 10 may be, for example, any kind of a command and control network. An example of a command and control network may include any network including a plurality of nodes associated with a central comtnand and control node (for example, the central unit 20). A non-limiting example of a command and control network may be a slave/master network, wherein the.central command and control unit is the master and each of the other nodes is slave. Typically, in a distributed network, the command and control unit will be responsible for managing the operation of the other nodes and may communicate with the nodes for purposes of providing the nodes with operational instructions and/or to retrieve from the node or from a device attached to a node operational data and parameters, as well as for otller purposes.

[042] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the central unit 20 may be a specific predetennined and fixed node within the network 10.
However, some embodiments of the present invention are not limited in this respect, and rather, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the central unit 20 may be a dynamic network entity which may located within one of two or more (e.g.
each) of the nodes, and may move from one node to another at different periods of time.

[043] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the communication management module 110 may be adapted to allocate frames routinely one after the other, such that when a frame ends the communication management module 110 allocates, either immediately, or after a predetermined amount of time, the next frame. The communication management module 110 may be configured to include a certain pause between subsequent frames, for example, in order to allow the receiving node to process the received communication and to generate a response (in case it is necessary) to the communication. The length of the pause in-between frames may be predefined. The length of the pause in-between frames may be dynamically adjusted, for example, by the central unit 20 if a response received from one of the other nodes 15 is incoherent or unintelligible or in case such an extension is requested by one of the nodes. In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the comniunication management module 110 may be adapted to allocate a frame only in response to a certain event, for example, following the receipt of a communication. In accordance with yet further embodiments of the present invention, the coinmunication management module 110 may be adapted to_allocate a frame only in response to the receipt of a communication from the central unit 20. This may be the case, for example, in some master/slave networks, wherein the central unit 20 (the master) is the initiator of all communications within the network 10, and each of the other nodes 15 is configured to transmit a communication only in response to a communication received from the central unit 20. In this case, the communication management module of the central units 20 may have a different configuration and possibly a different combination of components than the other communication management modules in the network, and may be capable of allocating a. communication frame independently (and not only in response to a communication received at the central unit).

[044] In accordance with yet further embodiments of the present invention, the communication management module 110 may be adapted to allocate less (or more) than a full frame for various kinds of communications within the network. For example, for communications from the central unit to (one of) the other nodes, only some portion of a complete frame may be allocated. In another example, the controller 110 may be adapted to allocate service frames for communications between two or more nodes 15 (including with the command and control unit 20), for example, in order to enable the copies of the controller 110 to send and/or receive updates with configuration data and/or in order to collect operational data, for example. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, during the service frames the communication management modules 110 may be configured to allow more than one communication to be transmitted and/or repeated within the network.

[045] It should be noted that one or more components of the apparatus 100 for managing communications within the distributed network, may be centrally implemented and may be part of the central unit. In accordance with this optional implementation the components of the apparatus 100 may interact with communication modules 15 associated with the central unit substantially as described above with reference to embodiments of the invention wherein the components of apparatus and their functionality are integrated as part of or directly associated with the communication module 15. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that as part of some embodiments of the invention some of the components and/or functionality of an apparatus for managing communications within the network as described herein may centrally implemented, for example, as part of or in association with a central command and control unit, and similarly according to further embodiments of the invention, some of the components and/or functionality of a centeral central command and control unit may be distributed and be part of or otherwise associated with a plurality of functional units (e.g., communication module) within the network.

[046] As mentioned above, following the allocation of a frame including a predefined number of timeslots for a certain communication (block 220), the communication management module 110 may be further adapted to configure the communication module 30 coupled thereto to repeat a communication at one or more of the timeslots of the frame allocated for that communication (block 230). In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, each communication management module 110 may be adapted to configure the communication module 30 coupled thereto, to transmit a new communication at the first timeslot of the frame allocated for that communication.

[047] In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, each communication management module 110 may be adapted to configure the communication module 30 coupled thereto to repeat a communication at one or more of the timeslots of the frame allocated for that communication following the initial transmission of the communication. In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, each communication management module 110 may be adapted to configure the communication module 30 coupled thereto to repeat a communication up-to the end of the frame. In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, each communication management module 110 may be adapted to configure the communication module coupled thereto to repeat a communication up-to a predetermined timeslot of the frame allocated for the communication.

[048] In accordance with yet further embodiments of the present invention, each communication management module 110 may be adapted to configure the communication module 30 coupled thereto to repeat a communication at one or more of the timeslots of the frame allocated for that communication, whether it is associated with the node which originated the communication or whether it is associated with one of the other nodes. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in case a communication is received at one of the nodes (not the node which originated the communication) during a certain timeslot, the communication management module of that node may be adapted to configure the communication module 30 coupled thereto to repeat the received communication at one or more timeslots of the frame subsequent to the receipt of the communication. In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the communication management module 110 may be adapted to configure the coinmunication module 30 coupled thereto to repeat a communication up-to. a predetermined timeslot or until an indication is received that the communication was repeated by another communication module, other than by a communication module from which the communication was received.

[049] Reference is now additionally made to FIG. 2B, which is a flow chart illustration.
of some aspects of the method of ma.naging communications within a distributed network, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a communication may be received at a certain communication module 30 associated with a certain node 15 (block 240).
Once the communication is received by the coinmunication module, the communication management module 110 associated with the receiving node 15 and coupled to or otherwise associated with the receiving communication module 30 may be adapted to determine whether there are any timeslots available for repeating the communication (block 250). For example, as part of determining whether there are any timeslots available for repeating the communication, the communication management module 110 may determine whether the cominunication was received before a predetermined timeslot of the frame allocated for that communication, after which, the communication module 30 may not be not allowed to repeat the communication.

[050] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in case it is determined that the communication was received beyond a certain timeslot, for example, beyond a predetermined timeslot, and that there are no available timeslots for repeating the communication, the communication management module 110 may switch the communication module 30 coupled thereto to a standby mode until the end of the frame (block 260) and the communication will not be repeated during that frame. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, while in the standby mode, the communication module 30 may remain passive or inactive and may only receive communications being propagated through the network 10.

[051 ] However, in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, if at block 250 it is determined that there are one or more timeslots or at least a predefined nuinber of timeslots available for repeating the communication, for example, in the case where the communication was received before a predeterinined timeslot, the communication management module 110 may configure the communication module 30 coupled thereto to repeat the communication at one or more subsequent timeslots (block 270). In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, after repeating the communication, the communication management module 110 may be adapted to switch the communication module 30 coupled thereto to a listening mode (block 280).
According to some embodiments of the invention,.the communication management module 110 may be adapted to switch the comtnunication module 30 coupled thereto to the listening mode immediately after each repetition, or alternatively, according to further embodiments of the invention, the coinmunication. management module may be adapted to repeat a coinmunication several times (more than once) before switching to the listening mode.

[052] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, 'during the listening mode, the cornmunication management module 110 may temporarily store the communication in a memory 130 operatively coupled to the communication management module 110. For example, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, upon receiving a communication and determining that there are available timeslots for repeating the communication, the communication management module 110 may configure the communication module 30 coupled thereto to repeat the communication at the next timeslot, and at the timeslot immediately following the transmission of the repeated communication, the controller may switch the communication module to the listening mode. In accordance with fiu ther embodiments of the present invention, the communication management module I10 may be configured to maintain the communication module 30 coupled thereto in the listening mode for the duration of at least two timeslots following the transmission of a communication. By maintaining a transmitting communication module 30 in the listening mode during at least the two tiineslots following the transmission of the communication, the next repeating communication module 30 may have at least one "clean" timeslot for repeating the communication uninterrupted by a repetition by the communication module from which the communication was received. After the repeating communication module 30 repeated the communication it may also switch to the listening mode.

[053] While in the listening mode the communication module 30 may listen for repetitions of the communication by other communication modules. For the purpose of identifying repetitions by other communication modules, a repeating communication module in a listening mode may be configured to disregard repetitions by -the unit or node from which it received the conununication. If while it is in the listening mode; the (next) repeating module does not receive an indication that the communication was repeated by one or . more of the other coxnmunication modules (other than the communication module from which it received the communication) it may repeat the communication after the listening mode ends and it may repeat this procedure up to the end of the frame or up to a predefined timeslot of the frame. It would be .appreciated, that according to__some embodiments of the inventions, this process may iinprove the chances of the transmission being successfully propagated, as will be explained below.
[054] In accordance with some einbodiments of the present invention, while the communication module 30 is in the listening mode, the communication management module 110, in cooperation with the communication module 30 coupled thereto, may be adapted to listen to communications being propagated over the network to detect repeated transmissions of the communication (block 290). The repeated transmissions may be indicative of the communication being received and repeated by one or more of the other nodes 15. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in case the communications management module 110 determines that the communication was repeated by another node (during the listening mode), the communication management module may be adapted to switch the communication module 30 coupled thereto to the standby mode (block 260).

[055] According to some embodiments of the present invention, each communication management module 110 may be adapted to include in the metadata (or elsewhere) of each communication an ID corresponding to the node 15 from which the communication is about to be transmitted. In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, whenever a coinmunication is received by a communication module 30, the communication management module 110 attached to that communication module 30 inay, be configured to determine from which node the communication is received. In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the communication management module 110 may be configured to switch the cominunication module 30 coupled thereto to the standby mode, only if the cominunications management module 110 determines that the communication was repeated by another node (during the listening mode) other than the node from wliich the communication was received in the first place.

[056] Iir accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, if at block 290 during the time that the communication module is kept in the listening mode, no indication is received that the communication was repeated by another communication module, the communication management module 110 may return to block 250 and determine whether there are any timeslots available for repeating the communication once again. In accordance witll further embodiments of the present- invention, the communication management module 110 may return to block 250 also in case that the only indication of a repeated transmission of the communication is received from.the node from which the communication was received in the first, place. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, each communication management module 110 may be adapted to add or to inject to each transmission, various data relating to various network information and/or transmission information, including, but not limited to, data relating to the identity of the transmitting communication module or to the node from which the communication is transmitted. The data relating to the transmitting communication module (or node) may enable each of the communication management modules of the nodes which are in receipt of the transmission, to determine which communication module or node transmitted the communication. In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the communication management module 110 may be configured to add additional data to a communication that is intended for being transmitted by the communication module with which it is associated.

[057] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, one or more timeslots may pass between the time a communication is transmitted by one node and the repeated transmission of the communication is detected at another node (for example, at the node from which the communication was received at the transmitting node). For this and other reasons, according to some embodiments of the invention, before each repetition of the cominunication, the communication management module 110 may be adapted to determine whether there is still a sufficient number of timeslots available for repeating the communication again (block 270) and/or for switching the cominunication module 30 to the listeiiing mode again (block 280). The communication management module 110 may be adapted to determine whether there is still a sufficient number of timeslots available for repeating the communication again.
based upon 'appropriate predefined rules or thresholds which the communication nianagementmoduie 110 may be configured to impelemnt.

[058] In accordance with some embodiments of the present 'invention, if it is determined at block 290, that'there is not a sufficient number of timeslots available to repea.t the communication once again, the communication management module 110 may switch the communication module 30 coupled thereto to the standby mode until the end of the frame (block 260). If, however, it is determined that there is still some number (including one) of timeslots available for repeating the cominunication, the communication management module 110 may be adapted to instruct the communication module 30 coupled thereto or associated therewith to repeat the communication again, and if there is a sufficient amount of timeslots available, may switch the communication module 30 to the listening mode again following the transmission of the communication (block 280).

[059] In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, if at block 250 it is determined that there is a sufficient number of timeslots available for repeating the communication but not for switching the communication module 30 to the listening module, the communication management module 110 may be adapted to instruct the communication module 30 coupled thereto or associated therewith to repeat the communication and may switch the communication module 30 to the standby mode following the repeating of the communication without switching the communication module 30 to the listening mode. In accordance with yet further embodiments of the present invention, the communication management module 110 may be adapted to skip the listening mode for a variety of other reasons and in accordance with further criteria and for only some of the communication modules or for all of them and only in response to some events or to with no connection to events at all.

[060] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in some cases, even though an indication is received at block 290 that the communication was repeated while the communication module was in the listening mode, the communication management module 110 may be configured to return to block 250 and to determine whether there are sufficient available timeslots to repeat the communication again.
Some embodiments of the present invention relating to such -cases, were discussed above with greater detail and may include, for example, a repeated transmission in case the only indication of a repeated transmission relates to a repetition by the communication module from which the communication was received.

[061 ] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the controller 110 may be adapted to maintain the communication module in listening -mode_for_a duration which corresponds to two or more timeslots following each transmission or repetition of a communication. It should be noted that in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, that by waiting two timeslots or more it is possible for each of the communication management modules '100 to listen for communications from the other nodes, for example from a second node, and to verify that the communication was repeated and also, to alow that other unit (the second node) to verify that a third unit has repeated its transmission.

[062] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in some cases, at a given point in time, two or more pending communications may exist within the network. Since, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, during any frame only the communication for which the frame was allocated is allowed, a priority scheme may be required in order to determine the order by which frames are to be allocated for the two or more pending communications. Thus, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, whenever a communication management module 110 detects that a new communication is created at the node 15 with which it is associated, the communication management module 110 may be configured to check with the other communication management module 110 within the network, whether there are any other pending communications competing for the next frame. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the com.munication management modules 110 and the nodes at which a pending communication exist may together or collectively decide on the priority, for example, in accordance with a predefined priority scheme and allocate the communication frames accordingly.
Various. priority schemes are known and some embodiments of the invention., may implement any known in the present or yet to be devised in the future priority scheme.
As mentioned above, the communication management modules 110 may be configured to check for competing pending communications in-between frames, and a specific service frame may be allocated to this end. However, as mentioned above, in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, each of the communication, management modules 110 may be allowed to initiate a communication only in response to a_ communication -received from a central unit 20. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the central unit's communication management module 110 may be configured so that only one specific node is given permission at any point in time to communicateover the network. In accordance with a fu.rther embodiment of the invention, the rule whereby only one specific node is given permission at any point in time to communicate over the network may apply in respect of communications during a normal operation, whereas while the network is operating in other modes, such as a service mode for example, two or more nodes are allowed to transmit communications over the network at the same time and/or the nodes may communicate witli one another and/or with the central units without receiving permission or instructions (through an incoming transmission for example) to that effect from the central unit.

[063] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, each communication franie may correspond to a specific period of time. In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the timeslots may be equal to one another, and the duration of each tinmeslot may be equal to a predefined fraction of the length of a frame. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the communication management module 110 may be adapted to modify from time to time the length of each frame in accordance with various network operation parameters or in accordance with other criteria. Also, in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the number of tirneslots included in each frame may be modified from time to time, as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.

[064] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 100 may further include a memory (a storage medium, for exainple) 130. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, whenever a communication is received, the communication management module 110. may be adapted to forward the received data to the memory 130 for temporary storage. Next, in case the communication management module 110 determines that the received transmission is to be repeated, the management module 110 may retrieve the data from the memory and may cause the communication module 30 to transmit the data at the start of a subsequent timeslot (or at any other predetermined point during the subsequent timeslot). .In accordance with further einbodiinents of the present invention, in case a certain node 15 generates a communication and wishes to transmit the communication over the network 10, but a frame cannot be currently allocated for communication (for example, since a frame which was allocated to another communication is currently in effect), the communication management module 110 may be adapted to temporarily store the communication in the memory 130, until a frame can be allocated for the cominunication.

[065] Reference is now additionally made to FIG. 4, showing a block diagram illustration of a distributed network in which the apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention is implemented. As part of some embodiments of the present invention, the distributed network 300 shown in FIG. 4, and in which the apparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may be implemented, may include a central node 310 and a plurality of network nodes 320G. For convenience purposes, we describe below transmissions in the direction from one (or more) of the network nodes 320A-320G to the central node 310. It should be noted however, that the present invention is not limited to the management of communication in any one particular direction, and may be used to manage, for example, communications from the central node 310 to any of the network nodes 320G or from any node to any other node within the network.

[066] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, each node's 310 and 320A-320G communication management module may be adapted to configure the comm.unication module coupled thereto to allocate a communication frame for each communication within the network and to repeat the communication at one or more of the timeslots of the frame following the initial transmission of the communication. In accordance with yet fiuther embodiments of the present invention, each node's 310 and 320A-320G communication management module may be adapted to configure the communication module coupled thereto, so that the communication module transmits a new coinmunication at the first timeslot of the frame allocated for the communication.
[067] For illustration purposes, we will assume that the communication management module 110 of each of the nodes 310 and 320A-320G is configured to allocate a frame for a communication that is to be transmitted from network node 320A and which is addressed to the central command - and control node 310, according to some embodiments of the,present invention. Once. a frame has been allocated for the communication, node 320A may transmit the new communication at the first timeslot of a frame allocated by the communication management modules for that communication.
We further assume that, for various reasons (for example, physical distance, local interference, etc,), the com.munication from node 320A cannot reach its final destination directly (in this case, the command and control node 310). However, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the other nodes, for example, nodes which are closer to the source node or nodes which are not affected by the obstruction, are able to receive the communication. For illustration purposes we further assume that the communication transmitted by node 320A is received by nodes 320C and 320D. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the communication management module of each of the receiving nodes 320C a.nd 320D
may be configured to cause the communication modules of nodes 320C and 320D to repeat the received communication at one or more timeslots of the frame allocated for that communication.

[068] In accordance with some einbodiments of the present invention, two or more (for example, all) of the communication modules within the network may be bit synchronized. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIG. 4 it is assumed that all the communication modules within the network are bit-synchronized.
Thus, nodes 320C and 320D rnay transmit the repeated communication substantially simultaneously. By repeating the communication the network nodes may cause the communication to spread through the network 300. Thus, the communication may eventually reach one or more nodes which are able to directly coinmunicate with the destination node 310, and since that (these) node(s) is (are) also configured to repeat the communication, these- node(s) may also repeat the communication and cause the communication to be received at the destination node, in this case at the command and control unit 310. It should be appreciated, that according to some embodiments of the invention, a node may be configured to repeat a communication received from another node during a frame if the communication is received up to a certain timeslot of the frame, and. communication received beyond that timeslot are not to be repeated.

[069] -In the embodiments described above, each communication module within the network; which received a communication during a certain frame, may be configured to repeat the communication at one or more subsequent -timeslots allocated for.
that _. .
communication.. In accordance with -these embodiments of the present invention, in -- -addition to the node which initiated the communication, each of the- nodes which received the communication during-the frame allocated for that communication may be configured to repeat the communication at each timeslot following the receipt of the communication, for example, until the end of the frame. In accordance with these embodiments of the present invention, a communication may be transmitted by each of several network nodes at a certain timeslot during a frame, for example, by each node which previously received the communication transmission, thereby providing an increase in the magnitude and quality of the signal in some places (the typical result).
[070] It would be appreciated however, that two or more communications coinciding in time and space may also be subject to destructive diffraction which may lead to deterioration of wither communication. In accordance witll some embodiments of the present invention, in order to improve the signal amplitude and quality, and in particular to overcome destructive diffraction, each of the communication management modules may be adapted to configure the communication module coupled thereto to modify each transmission or repetition in a manner to limit the destructive diffraction within the network. Various techniques may be used to reduce the destructive diffraction, including but not limited to, independently or cooperatively and/or randomly (or pseudo randomly) adjusting or modifying the amplitude of repeated communications by the communication module coupled to each of the communication management modules 110.

[071 ] Also as mentioned above, according to some embodiments of the present invention, following a repeated transmission of a communication, the communication management module 110 may be configured to switch the communication module 30 coupled thereto to a listening mode, during which, the communication module 30 is kept in a passive state. In addition to the other benefits mentioned above with respect to the implementation of the listening mode, maintaining the transmitting communication module in the passive state may allow a receiving communication module to repeat the communication_ without being interrupted (by transinissions from the transmitting communication module).

[072] According to some embodiments of the present invention, following the initial transmission of the communication, the com.munication module of node 320A may be configured to' repeat the communication up-to the end of the frame (or up to a predeterinined timeslot, with or without silent mode puases) or until an indication is received that the communication was repeated by another communication module, for example, by the communication modules associated with nodes 320C and 320D. In case the communication module of node 320A is configured to repeat a communication until it is repeated by another communication module, once such an indication is received, the communication module associated with node 320A may be configured to stop repeating the communication, and may switch to a standby mode.

[073] In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, once the communication is received at nodes 320C and 320D, the communication modules associated with nodes 320C and 320D may be configured to repeat the communication at one or more timeslots subsequent to the receipt of the communication. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the communication modules associated with nodes 320C and 320D may be configured to repeat the communication at a predetermined number of timeslots (or up-to the end of the frame) or until and indication is received that the communication was repeated by another communication module. However, in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the communication modules associated with nodes 320C and may be configured to continue repeating the communication if the only indication of a repeated communication relates to the communication module from which the com.munication was received, or in this case, if the only indication relates to the communication module associated with node 320A.

[074] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the number of timeslots included within each communication frame may be determined in accordance with the minimal number of repetitions necessary to deliver a communication from any of the nodes within the network to a destination node. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the destination node for purposes of determining the number of timeslots included within each communication frame may be a particular node or a:non-particular node, for-example, any node within the network. For example, the destination node may be a command and control unit, in which case, the number of timeslots to be included within a communication frame may be determined in accordance with the minimal number of repetitions necessary to deliver a communication from any of the nodes or from a certain group of nodes within the -network to the commaiid and control unit; or the destination node may be any -of the - -other nodes within the network, in which case, the number of timeslots to be included within a communication frame may be determined in accordance with the minimal number of repetitions necessary to deliver a communication from any of the nodes within the network to any of the other nodes within the network or from a certain node or group of nodes to a certain node or group of nodes.

[075] The discussions below relate to a scenario wherein the number of timeslots to be included within each communication frame is determined in accordance with the minimal number of repetitions necessary to deliver a communication from any of the nodes (or from a certain group of nodes) within the network to the command and control unit. However it should be noted that, as mentioned above, the present invention is not limited in this respect. It would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art how to modify the embodiments of the present invention discussed below in case the number of timeslots to be included within each communication frame is to be determined in accordance with the minimal number of repetitions necessary to deliver a communication from any of the nodes within the network to any of the other nodes within the network or from a certain node or group of nodes to a certain node or group of nodes.

[076] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, as mentioned above, each frame may include a predetermined number of timeslots. As part of some embodiments of the present invention, the initial number of timeslots to be included in each communication frame may be determined during the initialization of the network, as will be described in greater detail below. As will be further described below, as part of further embodiments of the present invention, the initial number of timeslots to be included in each frame may be dynamically adjusted during the operation of the network. _ [077] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a flowchart illustration of a process of deterinining the number of timeslots to be included in a communication frame,. as.
part of some embodiments of the present invention. The process of determining the number of timeslots to be included in each fra.ine may begin by configuring each of the communication management modules within the network to allocate a frame including a provisional number (n) of timeslots Nts (block 510). The provisional number (n) of timeslots Nts to be included in each frame, may-be predetermined, and may be, for example, programmed into each of the communication management units within the network. However, the present invention is not limited in this respect. In accordance with further einbodiments of the present invention, the provisional number (n) of timeslots to be used may be substantially small, for example, two, in order to provide an efficient protocol in case only a small number of repetitions is needed. As will be discussed below, if the provisional number (n) of timeslots is too small to allow the minimal number of repetitions necessary to deliver a communication from any of the nodes within the network to the conunand and control unit, the provisional number of timeslots to be included number will be gradually incremented until it is large enough for the communication to reach its destination.

[078] Once the cominunication management modules are configured, the central unit, for example, may instruct one of the nodes to generate a communication and a communication frame may be allocated for the transmission of the communication (block 520). The node may transmit the communication to the central unit, for example, and if necessary, the communication may be repeated (by the source node or by one or more of the other nodes) at one or more of the Nt, timeslots included in the frame (block 530). At the end of the frame allocated for the communication, the destination node may be checked to determine whether the communication was received at the destination node during the allocated frame (at one of the Nt timeslots of the frame) (block 540). For convenience purposes we assume that there is a central unit within the network being configured and that the destination of the communication from the node is the central unit.

[079] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined at block 540 that the communication was not received at the destination node during the allocated frame (at one of the Nts timeslots of the frame), the number of timeslots to be included in each frame Nts may be incremented by a predetermined number (one or more), for example, such that Nts =(n + 1) (block 550), and one or more of the communication management modules within the network (including all) may be configured to include in each frame the updated umber of timeslots (block 560). Blocks 520-560 may be repeated over and over again, until a coinmunication is received at the destination node (e.g., the central unit) during the allocated frame. The communication -management modules within the network may be updated with the new number of timeslots that to be included in a communication frame after each update thereof, and/or according to further embodiments of the invention, the communication modules may be updated after a setup or a configuration process is completed.

[080] According to some embodiments of the invention, if it is determined at block 540 that the communication was received at the destination node during the allocated frame, a predefmed number of buffer timeslots may be added to the number (n+l) of timeslots in the frame during which the communication was received, such that Nts =[(n + 1) + m)] (block 570), and the communication management modules within the network may be configured to include in a frame the number (n+l) of timeslots in the frame during which the communication was received plus the predefmed number (m) of buffer timeslots (block 580).

[081] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a flowchart illustration of a process of dynamically updating the number of timeslots to be included in a communication frame, as part of some embodiments of the present invention. Initially, a request may be received at one of the communication management modules to allocate a frame so that, for example, the communication module operatively coupled to the communication management module may transmit a communication over the network (block 610).
In response to the request, a frame comprised of a predefined number (n+m) of timeslots Nts, including a selected number (n) of functional timeslots Nfts and a predefined number (m) of buffer timeslots Nbt,, may be allocated (block 620). Next, the commmiication may be transmitted to its destination, for example, to a central unit, and if necessary in order to deliver the communication to its destination, the communication may be repeated as described above at one or more of the timeslots Nts included in the frame (block 630).

[082] The communication management mo-dule at the destination node, which is, in this case, the central unit, may be configured to determine whether the communication was received, and in. particular whether the communication was received during the frame which was allocated for the communication (block 640). The central unit may be, in this case and according to some embodiments of the invention; a master unit and other nodes within the network may be slave type units. Thus, the central unit, being a, master, may control communications within the network and may be configured to anticipate the receipt of a communication from a certain node during a certain frame. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in case a communication was not received at the central unit during the frame allocated for the communication, the central unit may increment the number of functional timeslots Nfts by a predetermined number (for example, by one) and blocks 610-640 may be repeated.
In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, blocks 610-650 may be repeated until the communication is received at the central unit during the frame allocated for the communication.

[083] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in case the communication is received at the central unit during the frame allocated for that communication, the communication management module, for example, of the central unit, may determine whether all the functional timeslots were used to deliver the communication to the central unit (block 660), as was discussed above as part of some embodiments of the present invention. In accordance witli some embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that less than all the functional timeslots were used to deliver the communication to the central unit, the number of functional timeslots Nft, may be reduced in accordance with the number of redundant functional timeslots (set NftS to n-y) (block 670). The communication management module of the central unit may configure each of the communication management modules within the network to allocate from that point onwards (until the number of timeslots is next adjusted) frames including the adjusted number of functional timeslots Nfts. According to fiuther embodiments of the invention, the central unit may be configured to determine that some of . the timeslots in a frame are unneeded based upon a plurality of communications received sometime before the end of a frame, for example, when at least a certain number of communications which have been received at the central unit within, a certain. period of time have been received sometime before the end of the frame. In accordance with further embodiments of the invention, the central unit (as an example) may be configured to [084] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, if however at block 660 it is the determined that-all the functional timeslots were used to deliver the communication to the central unit, the..communication management module of the central unit may be configured to determine whether one or more of the buffer timeslots were used to deliver the communication to its destination, in this case; the central unit (block 680). In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the communication management module of the central unit may be configured to determine that a buffer (one or more) timeslots were used to deliver the communication to its destination if the communication is received at the destination during one of the buffer timeslots. In accordance with some embodiments of the - present invention, _ if the communication management module determines that one or more of the buffer timeslots were used to deliver the communication to its destination, the number of functional timeslots may be incremented in accordance with the number of the buffer timeslots used to deliver the communication to its destination (Set Nft, to n+x). The communication management module of the central unit may configure the communication management modules within the network (e.g., some or all of the communication management modules witliin the network) to allocate from that point onwards (until the number of timeslots is next adjusted) frames including the modified number of functional timeslots Nfts.

[085] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that all the functional timeslots were used to deliver the communication to the central unit and that no buffer timeslots were used to deliver the communication to its destination, the number of timeslots Nts may remain unchanged (block 695).

[086] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, for the subsequent communications, the number of timeslots selected above (whether adjusted or not) may be included in the frame allocated for a communication until the number of timeslots to be included in each frame is adjusted.

[087] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the _ invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for managing communications within a distributed network, said apparatus comprising:
a communication management module operatively coupled to a communication module within the distributed network, said communication management module being adapted to allocate for a communication within the network a communication frame comprised of a predetermined number of timeslots, and to configure the communication module to repeat the communication at one or more timeslots of the frame allocated for the communication; and a synchronization module adapted to synchronize the communication module with at least one other communication module within the distributed network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said synchronization module is adapted to synchronize the communication module with said at least one other communication module, in a manner so that the communication frame and the timeslots are synchronized on the communication module and on said at least one other communication module.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said synchronization module is adapted to bit synchronize the communication module and said at least one other communication module.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timeslots are equal in length and each of which corresponds to a predetermined fraction of the length of a full communication frame.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communication management module is adapted to configure the communication module to repeat a communication at one or more timeslots of a frame subsequent to the initial transmission of the communication.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said communication management module is adapted to configure the communication module to transmit a new communication at the first timeslot of the frame allocated for that communication.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said communication management module is adapted to configure the communication module to repeat a communication received during a certain frame at one or more timeslots subsequent to the receipt of the communication.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said communication management module is adapted to configure the communication module to repeat a communication up-to the end of the frame allocated for the communication.

9. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said communication management module is adapted to configure the communication module to repeat a communication up-to a predetermined timeslot or until an indication is received that the communication was repeated by another communication module, other than by a communication module from which the communication was received.

10. The apparatus according to claim 5, wlierein said communication management module is adapted to configure the communication module to alter the amplitude of each repetition of the communication.

11. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said communication management module is further adapted to switch to a listening mode following a transmission of a communication, and wherein during the listening mode the communication management module is configured to utilize the communication module to detect transmissions from other nodes within the network and to inhibit outbound transmissions by the communication module associated therewith.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said communication management module is adapted to remain in the listening mode for a predetermined number of timeslots.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said communication management module is adapted to remain in the listening mode during at least two timeslots.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a storage medium, and wherein said communication management module is adapted to temporarily store a communication transmitted by the communication module while the communication module is in the listening mode.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein following a listening mode, said communication management module is adapted to instruct the communication module to repeat the communication transmitted by the communication module only in case no indication was received during the listening mode that the communication had been transmitted by another communication module, other than by a communication module from which the communication was received at the communication module.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said communication management module is adapted to switch to a standby mode in case an indication is received that a communication transmitted by the communication module was transmitted by another communication module, other than the communication module from which the communication was received, or beyond a predefined timeslot.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communication management module is adapted to select a number of functional timeslots to be included in a communication frame in accordance with the number of repetitions determined to be required to deliver the communication to a central unit.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said communication management module is adapted to include in a communication frame a selected number of functional timeslots and a predefined number of buffer timeslots which are the closing timeslots of the frame, and wherein said communication management module is adapted to select the number of functional timeslots to be included in a communication frame in accordance with the number of repetitions determined to be required to deliver the communication to a central unit within the network.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said communication management module is adapted to adjust the number of functional timeslots to be included in a communication frame in case it is determined that the number of timeslots required for delivering the communication to the central unit is above or below a previous number.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said communication management module is adapted to adjust the number of functional timeslots to be included in a communication frame in case one or more of the buffer timeslots is used to deliver the communication to its destination.

21. A method of managing communications within a distributed network, said method comprising:

bit synchronizing a first communication module within the distributed network with a second communication module within the distributed network;

allocating a communication frame comprised of a predetermined number of timeslots for a communication that is to be transmitted by the first communication module over the network; and configuring the second communication module to repeat the communication at one or more timeslots of the communication frame allocated for the communication.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said first second communication modules are synchronized, such that the communication frame and the timeslots are synchronized on the first and second communication modules.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein said configuring the second communication module, includes configuring the second communication module to repeat a communication received from the first communication module at one or more timeslots subsequent to the receipt of the communication.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein said configuring the second communication module to repeat the communication further comprises repeating the communication up-to the end of the frame allocated for the communication or until an indication is received that the communication was repeated by another communication module, other than by the first communication module from which the communication was received.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein said configuring the second communication module further comprises configuring the second communication module to modify the amplitude of the communication at each repetition thereof.

26. The method according to claim 24, further comprising switching to a listening mode following a transmission of the communication.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein said switching to a listening mode comprises remaining in the listening mode for a predetermined number of timeslots after each transmission of the communication.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said switching to a listening mode further comprises configuring the second communication module to further repeat the communication only in case no indication is received by the second communication module during the listening mode that the communication was transmitted by another communication module, other than by the first communication module from which the communication was received.

29. The method according to claim 21, wherein said allocating a communication frame further comprises selecting the number of functional timeslots to be included in a communication frame in accordance with a number of repetitions determined to be required for delivering the communication to a central unit.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein said selecting further comprises adjusting the number of functional timeslots to be included in a communication frame in case the number of timeslots required for delivering a communication to a central unit changes.

31. A system for managing communications within a distributed network, said system comprising:
at least least a first communication management module associated with a first communication module and a second communication management module associated with a second communication module, said first and second communication management modules being adapted to allocate a communication frame comprised of a predetermined number of timeslots for a communication that is intended for being transmitted over the network, said first and second communication management modules being further adapted to configure, respectively, the first and the second communication modules to repeat the communication at one or more timeslots of the frame allocated for the communication; and at least a first synchronization module associated with the first communication module and a second synchronization module associated with the second communication module, said first and second synchronization modules being adapted to synchronizing at least the first and second communication modules;