Beacon Enabled Mode

[velag...@pathpartnertech.com]

Hi,

I am working on openthread. For my application I need synchronized network. Beacon enabled thread network could help me if I am not wrong. How to enable beacon mode operation of openthread?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Jayaram.

[Jonathan Hui]

Hi Jayaram,

Thread does not use or support IEEE 802.15.4 beacon-enabled networks.  As far as I know, beacon-enabled networks are not used in typical IEEE 802.15.4 deployments (Thread, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, etc.).

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Jonathan Hui

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[velag...@pathpartnertech.com]

Jonathan,

May I know the reason why thread doesn't support beacon enabled mode MAC feature?

I am planning to add ranging service support to openthread which works on UWB radio. For that I may have to follow slotted ALOHA mechanism for channel access. So, beacon enabled network will help me to form a synchonized network.

[Jonathan Hui]

Hi Jayaram,

The value of beacon-enabled mechanisms in mesh-based topologies is controversial.  Thread has opted for an approach that does not require time synchronization across a muiltihop mesh network.  As a result, dedicating slots to neighboring devices is of questionable value.

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Jonathan Hui

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[velag...@pathpartnertech.com]

Is it possible to co exist both beacon and non-beacon mode of operation in OpenThread? If it is possible what could be the effort.

Thanks & Regards,
Jayaram

[velag...@pathpartnertech.com]

The present UWB radio which I am working, doesn't have carrier sense capability. So, the multiple routers transmitting packets to leader is getting un successful (for example, Active scan resulting with printing only one node information even there are 4 nodes in the network). But CSMA CA needs carrier sense features as per protocol. That's why I am planning to implement Slotted ALOHA network management system, which required synchronization.

Could you suggest me any solution in this context.

[Jonathan Hui]

Hi Jayaram,

Thread is a mesh networking protocol.  Beacon-enabled PANs enables scheduled communication between a coordinator and one or more devices.  However, for peer-to-peer communication, any device can communicate with any other neighboring device.

As stated in Section 4.5.2.3 of IEEE 802.15.4-2011:

In a peer-to-peer PAN, every device communicates directly with every other device in its radio communications range. In order to do this effectively, the devices wishing to communicate will need to either receive constantly or synchronize with each other. In the former case, the device can simply transmit its data. In the latter case, other measures need to be taken in order to achieve synchronization. Such measures are beyond the scope of this standard.

Thread does not provide any measures to achieve synchronizations.

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Jonathan Hui

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[velag...@pathpartnertech.com]

Hi Jonathan,

Thank you for referring with IEEE 802.15.4-2011 spec. In the amendment 802.15.4e there is a super frame structure named TSCH (Time Slotted Channel Hopping) which describes about synchronization without beacons. Please have a look if it is possible.

Coming to thread, can I use the current structure (where leader periodically advertises) for synchronization? For example, I will assume advertisement as a beacon, and will notify all the routers to start communication and the time slot information will be sent in the advertisement frame payload. Will this approach holds good?

Regards,
jayaram.