A study on the autonomous network synchronization scheme for mesh wireless network

In a mesh wireless network system that consists of plural wireless nodes, it is important that all wireless nodes share the same time. For example, in a TDD wireless system, the frequency resources utilization over the network can be improved by acquiring TDD frame synchronization. This paper proposes a novel scheme that autonomously realizes the synchronization in a whole wireless network without centralized control. The proposed scheme just needs information from adjacent wireless nodes and other mechanisms are not necessary. In addition, this scheme maintains synchronization in the link connected-area, if the network topology changes or node failure occurs in a local area. The proposed scheme responds flexibly to changing the network topology. The scheme is applicable in the case where many nodes join in and out frequently in the network, such as in nomadic wireless access. This paper discusses the procedures of the proposed synchronization scheme and presents examples of establishment network-wide synchronization and recovery from link failure.