Abstract: In a hybrid network comprising both guided and wireless communications technologies, a grandmaster clock is designated in one portion of the network and can be propagated across to the other portion by means of a timing synchronization message. This message may include timestamping information and other information to enable recipient devices to correctly synchronize to the grandmaster clock.

Abstract: A method for operating a real-time control system comprising a first system configured to generate an information signal and a second system configured to use the information signal, wherein the second system comprises a first buffer for storing a previously received information signal. The method comprising: transmitting, by the first system, a first communication packet comprising the first information signal and generating, by the second system, a predicted first information signal for use in the first time slot. The predicted first information signal being generated by: retrieving the previously received information signal from the first buffer; generating a first prediction using a short-term predictor; and concurrently generating a second prediction using a long-term predictor; and setting the predicted first information signal equal to the first prediction unless the second prediction is available.

Abstract: A method for transporting time synchronization information in a wireless network comprising a first wireless node and a second wireless node. The method comprising: transmitting, by the first wireless node, a first message at a first time, the first message comprising a first timestamp; receiving, by the second wireless node, the first message at a second time; transmitting, by the second wireless node, a second message at a third time in response to receiving the first message, the second message comprising a second timestamp. The method further comprising transmitting, by the first wireless node, a third message; receiving by the second wireless node, the third message; and generating a timing correction value based, in part, on the contents of the first message, the second message and the third message.

Abstract: A method for transporting time synchronization information in a wireless network comprising a first wireless node and a second wireless node. The method comprising: transmitting, by the first wireless node, a first message at a first time, the first message comprising a first timestamp; receiving, by the second wireless node, the first message at a second time; transmitting, by the second wireless node, a second message at a third time in response to receiving the first message, the second message comprising a second timestamp. The method further comprising transmitting, by the first wireless node, a third message; receiving by the second wireless node, the third message; and generating a timing correction value based, in part, on the contents of the first message, the second message and the third message.

Abstract: A method of scheduling and transmitting a wireless transmission over an air-interface in a composite network is provided. The composite network comprises a time-sensitive network comprising at least one time-sensitive network entity and a wireless network comprising at least one base station and the air-interface, wherein the air-interface comprises a plurality of slots, wherein each slot has a primary control channel defined at the beginning of the slot, and a number of secondary control channels defined in each slot after the primary control channel, and a plurality of data channels, each primary control channel defining a slot, each secondary channel defining a mini-slot.

Abstract: A method for operating a real-time control system comprising a first system configured to generate an information signal and a second system configured to use the information signal, wherein the second system comprises a first buffer for storing a previously received information signal. The method comprising: transmitting, by the first system, a first communication packet comprising the first information signal and generating, by the second system, a predicted first information signal for use in the first time slot. The predicted first information signal being generated by: retrieving the previously received information signal from the first buffer; generating a first prediction using a short-term predictor; and concurrently generating a second prediction using a long-term predictor; and setting the predicted first information signal equal to the first prediction unless the second prediction is available.

Abstract: Network resource allocation takes place within a wireless communication channel in which resource is defined with respect to time and frequency; a resource allocation process involves joint allocation of resource for communication to and from a controlled device, to enable a cyclic exchange of information and thus to enable wireless closed loop control of the device.

Abstract: Arrangements described herein allow integration of TSN and wireless systems (e.g. 5G systems) by forming a virtual bridge over the wireless system. A two-level scheduling scheme is provided, where data is mapped into separate virtual queues based on the respective priority of the data. Each virtual queue is given a permission to allocate transmission resources (e.g. timeslots) at certain windows in accordance with a schedule. During each window, transmission resources are then allocated for the respective queue from a set of transmission resources. By applying two levels of scheduling (scheduling when to schedule), different scheduling rules can be applied for different priority data (different virtual queues). In addition, higher priority data can be scheduled with a higher priority (e.g. before the scheduling of lower priority data). This allows minimum performance criteria for certain types of data (certain Quality of Service data flows) to be guaranteed across the wireless system.

Abstract: In a hybrid network comprising both guided and wireless communications technologies, a grandmaster clock is designated in one portion of the network and can be propagated across to the other portion by means of a timing synchronization message. This message may include timestamping information and other information to enable recipient devices to correctly synchronize to the grandmaster clock.

Abstract: A method of generating a communication schedule for a plurality of nodes in a multi-hop network, the plurality of nodes comprising a first node, a second node and a third node, wherein: the second node is a primary parent of the first node and the third node is a secondary parent of the first node. The method comprises requesting, by the first node, a first resource in the communication schedule for communication from the first node to the second node and a second resource in the communication schedule for communication from the first node to the third node.

Abstract: An IEEE 802.11 compatible processor configured to identify, using an indication received from a first station in a network and from among a plurality of further stations within the network, a second station to transmit data to during receipt of a next transmission from the first station using information indicating which stations amongst the further stations data can be transmitted to while receiving data from the first station; and information regarding the duration required to transmit next data scheduled to be transmitted to the second station, wherein the indication is an indication of the duration of the next data transmission scheduled to be transmitted by the first station.

Abstract: In general terms, network resource allocation takes place within a wireless communication channel in which resource is defined with respect to time and frequency; a resource allocation process involves joint allocation of resource for communication to and from group of devices, to enable a cyclic exchange of information between the devices and a base-station and thus to enable wireless closed loop control of the device. By jointly allocating resources in one go, overheads are reduced thereby providing a more efficient resource allocation mechanism. Furthermore, bundled transmissions are scheduled, including repetitions of transmissions to increase the likelihood of transmission success. By determining a minimum bundle length required to meet a predefined threshold for received signal quality, the reliability of the transmissions can be ensured.

Abstract: Network resource allocation takes place within a wireless communication channel in which resource is defined with respect to time and frequency; a resource allocation process involves joint allocation of resource for communication to and from a controlled device, to enable a cyclic exchange of information and thus to enable wireless closed loop control of the device.

Abstract: A method of resource slicing in a wireless communication network. The communication network includes a device domain, a radio access network and a core network. The device domain includes at least one device and is connected to the radio access network over a wireless interface. The method includes abstracting the device domain, the radio access network and the core network as a plurality of network functions using a slicing controller to provide end-to-end resource slicing. Network functions provide protocol functionality as part of connectivity in the network.

Abstract: A method of randomly accessing wireless communication resources in a LTE uplink comprising transmitting, by a user device, a plurality of random access requests wherein each request is transmitted on a different communication channel from a plurality of communication channels and each request comprises a preamble generated using a different root sequence. The method further comprises receiving, at the user device, at least one random access response via the plurality of communication channels; and completing a random access procedure on the communication channel which conveyed the random access response.

Abstract: A WiFi system comprising two or more access points operating in the same network and a plurality of nodes. Each node is in communicative association with each access point. A plurality of nodes transmits data in a scheduled communication with a first access point of the two or more access points and subsequently re-transmits some or all of the data in a scheduled communication with a second access point of the two or more access points.

Abstract: A method of resource slicing in a wireless communication network. The communication network includes a device domain, a radio access network and a core network. The device domain includes at least one device and is connected to the radio access network over a wireless interface. The method includes abstracting the device domain, the radio access network and the core network as a plurality of network functions using a slicing controller to provide end-to-end resource slicing. Network functions provide protocol functionality as part of connectivity in the network.

Abstract: A multi-hop mesh network comprising a plurality of nodes, the plurality of nodes each comprising a receiver, a transmitter, a controller and memory storing program instructions. The plurality of nodes are suitable for participating in data relaying within the network. The plurality of nodes comprise a plurality of source nodes and a plurality of relay nodes. The plurality of source nodes advertise, via the respective transmitter at least one message in one or more advertising events, and adapt the duration of the advertising event. Each advertising event comprises the at least one message being advertised over one or more primary advertising channels.

Abstract: A method of generating a communication schedule for a plurality of nodes in a multi-hop network, the plurality of nodes comprising a first node, a second node and a third node, wherein: the second node is a primary parent of the first node and the third node is a secondary parent of the first node. The method comprises requesting, by the first node, a first resource in the communication schedule for communication from the first node to the second node and a second resource in the communication schedule for communication from the first node to the third node.

Abstract: A method performed in a system comprising a plurality of autonomous vehicles. The method comprises a first vehicle transmitting a geometric configuration information to be adopted by one or more other vehicles participating in a transport operation in combination with the first vehicle, wherein the geometric configuration information comprises information regarding respective distances and orientations the one or more other vehicles are required to adopt relative to the first vehicle, a second vehicle, upon receipt of the geometric configuration information, adopting a position relative to the first vehicle or to a further vehicle participating in the transport operation, the position of the second vehicle defined by the geometric configuration information and the first and second vehicles performing a transport operation in a synchronised manner once the second vehicle has adopted said position.