Abstract: Techniques for allocating event offsets within a period of transmission are described. A mains-powered device (MPD) may act as a “parent” to one or more battery-powered devices (BPDs). The MPD may assign “event offsets” to each BPD. The event offset is a time by which the BPD's timeslot is “offset” from the start of a periodic cycle of transmissions by the MPD. Thus, each event offset indicates a time that the BPD must be “awake,” i.e., operating its radio receiver and/or performing other functionality. A BPD may spend a substantial fraction of its time in a “sleep” mode, wherein less power is used and fewer functions are performed than during a period of that BPD's event offset. Another BPD may have a different event offset. Communications by the MPD with each child BPD may be substantially uniformly distributed over the period. To increase efficiency, groups of BPDs may receive multicasts.

Abstract: Techniques are directed to using communication metric data associated with multiple modulation schemes to achieve a link quality metric that is representative of the link as a whole, across the multiple modulation schemes that may be employed on the link. A calculation of a link quality metric may be triggered by a network layer transmission attempt, with communication metrics accumulated at the link layer of the link. A filter used to calculate the link quality metric may be updated based on network layer transmission attempts, based on successful and/or unsuccessful transmissions at a Media Access Control (MAC) layer of the link. More generally, a calculation of link quality may be triggered by a higher layer transmission attempt while being calculated based on transmission attempts at a lower layer of the link.

Abstract: Techniques are directed to using communication metric data associated with multiple modulation schemes to achieve a link quality metric that is representative of the link as a whole, across the multiple modulation schemes that may be employed on the link. A calculation of a link quality metric may be triggered by a network layer transmission attempt, with communication metrics accumulated at the link layer of the link. A filter used to calculate the link quality metric may be updated based on network layer transmission attempts, based on successful and/or unsuccessful transmissions at a Media Access Control (MAC) layer of the link. More generally, a calculation of link quality may be triggered by a higher layer transmission attempt while being calculated based on transmission attempts at a lower layer of the link.

Abstract: Techniques for connecting networks to facilitate distribution of data are described. For example, to distribute multicast data to members of a multicast group that span multiple networks, the techniques may identify a path between networks that each have a member of the multicast group, such as a shortest path between networks. The techniques may inform the networks on the path to establish a connection with an adjacent network. This may allow multicast data for a multicast group to be distributed to members of the multicast group that are located in separate networks.

Abstract: Source routing techniques include sending data across several networks, while limiting source routing overhead. For example, the source routing techniques may use a first address format to route data to nodes along a routing path that are within a first network where a source node is located, and use a second address format to route the data to a node along the routing path that is within a second, different network. The node in the second network may similarly route the data through the second network using the first address format for nodes within the second network and, if needed, route the data to a node within a third network using the second address format. This may be repeated for any number of networks to reach a destination.

Abstract: Techniques for bridging communication between multiple networks to facilitate distribution of multicast data are described herein. For example, a node that is able to communicate with its network and an adjacent network may send a subscription message indicating that the node is a member of a multicast group. The subscription message may be forwarded up both networks. The node may then forward, between the networks, data that is destined for members of the multicast group.

Abstract: Source routing techniques include sending data across several networks, while limiting source routing overhead. For example, the source routing techniques may use a first address format to route data to nodes along a routing path that are within a first network where a source node is located, and use a second address format to route the data to a node along the routing path that is within a second, different network. The node in the second network may similarly route the data through the second network using the first address format for nodes within the second network and, if needed, route the data to a node within a third network using the second address format. This may be repeated for any number of networks to reach a destination.

Abstract: Techniques are directed to opportunistically communicating using a modulation scheme that is other than the preferred modulation scheme, to update communication metric data for the second modulation scheme, such as a modulation scheme that has not been used as much as the first modulation scheme. The second modulation scheme may be associated with a higher data rate than the preferred modulation scheme. If communication using the second modulation scheme is successful, subsequent communication may be carried out exclusively using the second modulation scheme, and the communication metrics may develop such that the second modulation scheme becomes the preferred modulation scheme.

Abstract: Techniques for employing a Mains Powered Device as a proxy for communicating on behalf of a Battery Powered Device are described herein. In some examples, the Mains Powered Device may be a parent node to the Battery Powered Device in a network which operates using a Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks (RPL). The Mains Powered Device may detect and/or forward a Destination Advertisement Object (DAO) transmitted from the Battery Powered Device to a DODAG root of the network, and begin to perform subsequent transmission of DAOs on behalf of the Battery Powered Device. In this way, the Mains Powered Device updates a routing table of the DODAG root periodically to include an indication of the Battery Powered Device as existing in the network, while extending the battery life of the Battery Powered Device by transmitting DAOs on behalf of the Battery Powered Device.

Abstract: Techniques for bridging communication between multiple networks to facilitate distribution of multicast data are described herein. For example, a node that is able to communicate with its network and an adjacent network may send a subscription message indicating that the node is a member of a multicast group. The subscription message may be forwarded up both networks. The node may then forward, between the networks, data that is destined for members of the multicast group.

Abstract: Source routing techniques include sending data across several networks, while limiting source routing overhead. For example, the source routing techniques may use a first address format to route data to nodes along a routing path that are within a first network where a source node is located, and use a second address format to route the data to a node along the routing path that is within a second, different network. The node in the second network may similarly route the data through the second network using the first address format for nodes within the second network and, if needed, route the data to a node within a third network using the second address format. This may be repeated for any number of networks to reach a destination.

Abstract: Techniques for connecting networks to facilitate distribution of data are described. For example, to distribute multicast data to members of a multicast group that span multiple networks, the techniques may identify a path between networks that each have a member of the multicast group, such as a shortest path between networks. The techniques may inform the networks on the path to establish a connection with an adjacent network. This may allow multicast data for a multicast group to be distributed to members of the multicast group that are located in separate networks.

Abstract: Techniques for limiting forwarding of multicast communications are described herein. For example, the techniques intelligently forward data along paths of a network where members of a multicast group are located. As such, nodes that do not lead to members of the multicast group may be pruned from distribution of the data. This reduces network communications, ultimately conserving processing, communication, and/or battery resources of the nodes.

Abstract: Techniques for discovering a device in a wireless network are described herein. For example, a first device may send a network discovery solicitation message to a second device to solicit a communication relationship (e.g., request connection to a parent). The network discovery solicitation may include one or more information elements that indicate a channel function associated with the first device and a listening window during which the first device will be listening for communications. The second device may use the channel function to frequency hop and send a network discovery message to the first device during the listening window. The network discovery message may include one or more information elements to establish a sampled schedule for the first device moving forward.

Abstract: Techniques for bridging communication between multiple networks to facilitate distribution of multicast data are described herein. For example, the techniques may identify a particular node that is able to communicate with each network and instruct the particular node to act as a bridge between the networks. The particular node may forward data from either network to the other network. This may allow data for a multicast group to be distributed to members of the multicast group that are located in separate networks.

Abstract: Techniques for broadcasting data in a multi-channel network having a control channel and multiple data channels are described. A node wishing to broadcast data may determine a particular data channel from among the multiple data channels, a modulation technique, and a data rate to be utilized to broadcast the data. The broadcasting node may transmit a message over the control channel indicating that the data will be broadcast on the particular data channel using the modulation technique and at the determined data rate. The broadcasting node and a node wishing to receive the data may switch to the particular data channel. The broadcasting node may broadcast the data over the particular data channel, while the receiving node may receive the data. After broadcasting the data or a predetermined time period has expired, the broadcasting node and receiving node may switch to the control channel.

Abstract: Techniques for discovering a device in a wireless network are described herein. For example, a first device may send a network discovery solicitation message to a second device to solicit a communication relationship (e.g., request connection to a parent). The network discovery solicitation may include one or more information elements that indicate a channel function associated with the first device and a listening window during which the first device will be listening for communications. The second device may use the channel function to frequency hop and send a network discovery message to the first device during the listening window. The network discovery message may include one or more information elements to establish a sampled schedule for the first device moving forward.

Abstract: Techniques for bridging communication between multiple networks to facilitate distribution of multicast data are described herein. For example, the techniques may identify a particular node that is able to communicate with each network and instruct the particular node to act as a bridge between the networks. The particular node may forward data from either network to the other network. This may allow data for a multicast group to be distributed to members of the multicast group that are located in separate networks.

Abstract: Techniques for bridging communication between multiple networks to facilitate distribution of multicast data are described herein. For example, a node that is able to communicate with its network and an adjacent network may send a subscription message indicating that the node is a member of a multicast group. The subscription message may be forwarded up both networks. The node may then forward, between the networks, data that is destined for members of the multicast group.

Abstract: Techniques for limiting forwarding of multicast communications are described herein. For example, the techniques intelligently forward data along paths of a network where members of a multicast group are located. As such, nodes that do not lead to members of the multicast group may be pruned from distribution of the data. This reduces network communications, ultimately conserving processing, communication, and/or battery resources of the nodes.