Devices, systems and methods for synchronizing event windows in wireless network

Abstract

A method can include receiving a timing signal that is part of a first communication protocol; by operation of a master device operating according to a second communication protocol, determining event timing windows for a plurality of slave devices of the master device; and by operation of the master device, transmitting control packets to the slave devices, adjusting clock values in the slave devices to sequentially order the event timing windows within an event group window; wherein the event window is timed according to the timing signal. Related devices and systems are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of operating a master device for wireless communication with a plurality of slave devices of the master device, the method comprising:
 generating a strobe signal from a clock configured to synchronize communications of a first communication protocol;   determining event timing windows of a second communication protocol for the plurality of slave devices;   establishing an event group window that is synchronous with the strobe signal;   if an event timing window of a slave device of the plurality of slave devices is not in the event group window, transmitting at least one clock adjustment packet to the slave device configured to cause the slave device to adjust the event timing window to move toward the group window;   continuing to transmit clock adjustment packets to the plurality of slave devices until the event timing windows of the plurality of slave devices are sequentially ordered within the event group window.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein each event timing window has a duration t1, the number of slave devices is N, and the event group window has a duration no greater than 3N*t1. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the master device is formed in a combination device having first communication circuits that operate according to the first communication protocol and second communication circuits that operate according to the second communication protocol; and   the first and second communication protocols share a transmission medium, the transmission medium being a range of frequencies.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the combination device is an integrated circuit device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the first communication protocol includes at least one IEEE 802.11 standard, the timing signal is generated with the time synchronization function of the at least one IEEE 802.11 standard; and   the second communication protocol includes at least one Bluetooth standard.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further including:
 transmitting the at least one clock adjustment packet limits clock adjustments in the slave device to a predetermined maximum value; and   receiving a clock data packet from each slave device, and if a slave device event timing window is not within the event group window after the clock adjustment, transmitting another clock adjustment packet to the slave device.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further including:
 wirelessly receiving event frequency information for slave devices; and   if the event frequency information indicates that there are differences in event frequencies between slave devices, transmitting control packets addressed to the slave devices that are configured to adjust event frequencies of the slave devices to a same event frequency.   
     
     
         28 . A master device for wireless communication with a plurality of slave devices, comprising:
 first communication circuits configured to receive and transmit data over at least a first medium according to a first protocol, the first communication circuits including a clock circuit to synchronize operations according to the first protocol;   second communication circuits configured to receive and transmit data over at least the first medium according to a second protocol, the second communication circuits configurable as a master device according to the second protocol;   wherein the master device is configured to:
 generate a strobe signal from the clock circuit, 
 establish an event group window synchronous with the strobe signal, 
 determine initial positions for event timing windows according to the second protocol for a plurality of slave devices, 
 if an event timing window of the slave device is not in the event group window, transmit at least one clock adjustment packet addressed to the slave device configured to cause the slave device to move the event timing window toward the event group window, and 
 continuing to transmit clock adjustment packets to slave devices until the event timing windows of the slave devices are sequentially ordered within the event group window. 
   
     
     
         29 . The master device of  claim 28 , wherein each event timing window has a duration t1, the number of slave devices is N, and the event group window has a duration no greater than 3N*t 1 . 
     
     
         30 . The master device of  claim 28 , wherein:
 the first protocol includes at least one IEEE 802.11 standard, and the clock circuit is a clock circuit for a time synchronization function circuit; and   the second protocol includes at least one Bluetooth standard.   
     
     
         31 . The master device of  claim 28 , further configured to:
 transmit a clock adjustment command to each slave devices that limits clock adjustments to a predetermined maximum value; and   receive a clock data packet from the slave devices, and if a slave device event timing window is not within the event group window after the clock adjustment, transmit another clock adjustment command to the slave device.   
     
     
         32 . The master device of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the timing circuit operates according to a first clock operating at a first frequency; and   the master device transmits data according to a master clock having a second frequency, wherein the first frequency is less than the second frequency.   
     
     
         33 . The master device of  claim 28 , wherein the first medium includes frequencies of about 2.4 GHz. 
     
     
         34 . The master device of  claim 28 , wherein;
 first communication circuits are further configured to receive and transmit data over a second medium that does not overlap the first medium; and   the second communication circuits do not receive and transmit data over the second medium.   
     
     
         35 . A wireless communication system, comprising:
 a plurality of slave devices, each slave device including a slave controller configured to establish periodic event timing windows based on a slave clock; and   a master device that includes:
 first communication circuits operating according to a first clock circuit and a first communication protocol, 
 second communication circuits in wireless communication with the slave devices according to a second communication protocol, the second communication circuits configured to:
 generate a strobe signal from the first clock circuit, 
 establish an event group window that is synchronous with the strobe signal, 
 if an event timing window of a slave device is not in the event group window, transmit a clock adjustment command to the slave device to alter the event timing window to align with the event group window; and 
 continue to transmit clock adjustment commands to the slave devices until the event timing windows of the slave devices are sequentially ordered within the event group window. 
 
   
     
     
         36 . The wireless communication system of  claim 35 , wherein each event timing window has a duration t1, the number of slave devices is N, and the event group window has a duration no greater than 3N*t1. 
     
     
         37 . The wireless communication system of  claim 35 , wherein:
 each slave device includes a slave clock circuit that generates the slave clock by adding an offset value to a base clock value; and   the first communication circuits transmit clock adjustment commands which alter the offset value of the slave device.   
     
     
         38 . The wireless communication system of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the first protocol includes at least one IEEE 802.11 standard, and the first clock circuit is for a time synchronization function circuit; and   the second protocol includes at least one Bluetooth standard.   
     
     
         39 . The wireless communication system of  claim 35 , wherein a first and second communication circuits are formed in a same integrated circuit substrate. 
     
     
         40 . The wireless communication system of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the first communication circuits are configured to receive and transmit data over a first medium and a second medium;   the second communication circuits are configured to receive and transmit data over the first medium but not the second medium; and   the first and second mediums are non-overlapping frequency ranges.