Abstract: A time synchronization method performed by each node in an ad hoc network in which a plurality of nodes are connected with each other by radio and time synchronization of each node is performed by transmitting and receiving a beacon including time information in a beacon period is provided. The time synchronization method includes: a generation step of generating a slot number using a random number every one beacon period; a determination step of determining whether to cancel beacon transmission based on the slot number when the node does not receive a beacon from another node by beacon transmission time corresponding to the slot number; and a step of canceling beacon transmission when determining to cancel beacon transmission in the determination step, and transmitting a beacon including time information of the own node at the beacon transmission time when determining not to cancel beacon transmission.

Abstract: Communicating nodes in a network exchange state variable signals indicating the timing of periodic operations performed at the nodes. Each node autonomously controls the timing of its periodic operation so as to distance the timing from the timing of the periodic operations performed at other nodes. If the periodic operations include data transmission, this arrangement enables the nodes to avoid data collisions. The nodes can also adapt autonomously to changing conditions such as changing priority levels and the addition and removal of nodes.

Abstract: Communicating nodes in a network exchange state variable signals indicating the timing of periodic operations performed at the nodes. Each node autonomously controls the timing of its periodic operation so as to distance the timing from the timing of the periodic operations performed at other nodes. If the periodic operations include data transmission, this arrangement enables the nodes to avoid data collisions. The nodes can also adapt autonomously to changing conditions such as changing priority levels and the addition and removal of nodes.