Relay communication method, device and system based on low-power wireless communication technology

Abstract

The application relates to a relay communication method, device and system based on low-power wireless communication technology, the relay communication method comprising: clock synchronization with the second network node and the third network node in a first listening window; after the clock synchronization, receiving a control instruction sent by the third network node based on a second listening window, the first listening window and the second listening window corresponding to two different listening time periods when the first network node is in an awake state; obtaining a first receiving duration of the control instruction; forwarding the control instruction to the second network node according to time information of the second listening window and the first receiving duration; realizing effective prediction of the listening window of an adjacent network node while the first network node forwards the control instruction, thereby guaranteeing the power consumption level of each network node and improving the applicability of each network node in a household application scenario with strict power consumption requirements.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to a relay communication method, device and system based on low-power wireless communication technology. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the continuous development of communication technology, more and more communication technologies are applied in smart home scenarios. For example, ZigBee technology is a standard communication technology for domestic smart home. Devices using this communication technology can form a multi-level network, and the device itself can act as a relay node to forward data packets from the far end, thereby achieving full-house coverage without dead angles.

[0003] However, the relay node based on the existing communication technology cannot achieve low-power sleep, especially in the harsh power consumption scenarios of home applications such as battery or single-wire power supply and ultra-low power standby. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a relay communication method, device and system based on low-power wireless communication technology to solve the above technical problems.

[0005] A relay communication method based on low-power wireless communication technology is applied to a first network node, the next level network node of the first network node is a second network node, and the previous level network node of the first network node is a third network node. The relay communication method comprises:

[0006] Clock synchronization with the second network node and the third network node in a first listening window;

[0007] After the clock synchronization, a control instruction sent by the third network node is received based on a second listening window, and the first listening window and the second listening window correspond to two different listening time periods when the first network node is in an awake state;

[0008] A first receiving duration of the control instruction is obtained;

[0009] The control instruction is forwarded to the second network node according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving duration.

[0010] In one of the embodiments, after the step of forwarding the control instruction to the second network node according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving duration, the method further comprises:

[0011] A state feedback signal sent by the second network node is received based on a third listening window, and the state feedback signal is generated by the second network node according to the working state information after performing a corresponding action according to the control instruction.

[0012] a second receiving duration for obtaining the status feedback signal;

[0013] forwarding the status feedback signal to the third network node according to the time information of the third listening window and the second receiving duration.

[0014] In one of the embodiments, the step of forwarding the status feedback signal to the third network node according to the time information of the third listening window and the second receiving duration is followed by:

[0015] stopping forwarding the status feedback signal to the third network node according to a first acknowledgement signal fed back by the third network node within a preset time, the first acknowledgement signal being used to indicate that the third network node has received the status feedback signal; or

[0016] continuing to forward the status feedback signal to the third network node according to the time information of the third listening window and the second receiving duration in case that the first acknowledgement signal is not received within the preset time.

[0017] In one of the embodiments, the third listening window comprises a plurality of transceiving listening windows.

[0018] if the current transceiving listening window is in a valid transceiving time, receiving the status feedback signal sent by the second network node or forwarding the status feedback signal to the third network node in the current transceiving listening window;

[0019] if the current transceiving listening window is in an invalid transceiving time, receiving the status feedback signal sent by the second network node or forwarding the status feedback signal to the third network node in the next transceiving listening window.

[0020] In one of the embodiments, the step of forwarding the control instruction to the second network node according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving duration is followed by:

[0021] stopping forwarding the control instruction to the second network node according to a second acknowledgement signal fed back by the second network node within a preset time, the second acknowledgement signal being used to indicate that the second network node has received the control instruction; or

[0022] re-forwarding the control instruction to the second network node according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving duration in case that the second acknowledgement signal is not received within the preset time.

[0023] In one of the embodiments, the first listening window comprises a first clock synchronization window and a second clock synchronization window; the clock synchronization with the second network node and the third network node in the first listening window comprises:

[0024] updating the reference clock of the first network node in the first clock synchronization window according to the reference time point of the third network node and a first time to be synchronized;

[0025] updating the reference clock of the second network node in the second clock synchronization window according to the updated reference clock of the first network node and a second time to be synchronized.

[0026] In one of the embodiments, when the first network node and / or the second network node is in clock synchronization exception, the first clock synchronization window and / or the second clock synchronization window is correspondingly increased to update the reference clock of the first network node and the second network node.

[0027] In one of the embodiments, the second listening window comprises a plurality of transceiving listening windows; after the clock synchronization:

[0028] if the current transceiving listening window is in valid transceiving time, the control instruction is forwarded to the second network node or the control instruction sent by the third network node is received in the current transceiving listening window;

[0029] if the current transceiving listening window is in invalid transceiving time, the control instruction is forwarded to the second network node or the control instruction sent by the third network node is received in the next transceiving listening window.

[0030] A relay communication device based on low-power wireless communication technology, applied to a first network node, the next level network node of the first network node is a second network node, and the previous level network node of the first network node is a third network node; the relay communication device comprises:

[0031] a clock synchronization module, configured to perform clock synchronization with the second network node and the third network node in a first listening window;

[0032] an instruction receiving module, connected with the clock synchronization module, configured to receive a control instruction sent by the third network node based on a second listening window after the clock synchronization, the first listening window and the second listening window respectively correspond to two different listening time periods when the first network node is in an awake state;

[0033] a time length obtaining module, connected with the instruction receiving module, configured to obtain a first receiving time length of the control instruction.

[0034] a relay module, connected with the instruction receiving module and the time length obtaining module respectively, for forwarding the control instruction to the second network node according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving time length.

[0035] A relay communication system based on low-power wireless communication technology, the relay communication system comprising a first network node, a second network node and a third network node, the next level network node of the first network node being the second network node, the previous level network node of the first network node being the third network node, the first network node performing the steps of the method as described above.

[0036] The relay communication method, device and system based on low-power wireless communication technology as described above, wherein the relay communication method comprises: performing clock synchronization with the second network node and the third network node within a first listening window; after the clock synchronization, receiving a control instruction sent by the third network node based on a second listening window, the first listening window and the second listening window corresponding to two different listening time periods when the first network node is in an awake state respectively; obtaining a first receiving time length of the control instruction; forwarding the control instruction to the second network node according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving time length; realizing the effective prediction of the listening window of the adjacent network node while forwarding the control instruction by the first network node, thereby ensuring the power consumption level of each network node and improving the applicability of each network node in the home application scenario with strict power consumption requirements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or prior art description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0038] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a relay communication system based on low-power wireless communication technology in an embodiment;

[0039] Figure 2 It is a flowchart of a relay communication method based on low-power wireless communication technology in an embodiment;

[0040] Figure 3 It is a timing diagram of a relay communication system based on low-power wireless communication technology in an embodiment;

[0041] Figure 4A flowchart of the method after step 208 in one embodiment;

[0042] Figure 5 A flowchart of step 202 in one embodiment;

[0043] Figure 6 A timing diagram of the clock synchronization of the relay communication system based on the low-power wireless communication technology in one embodiment;

[0044] Figure 7 A timing diagram of the clock synchronization of the relay communication system based on the low-power wireless communication technology in one embodiment;

[0045] Figure 8 A structural schematic block diagram of the relay communication device based on the low-power wireless communication technology in one embodiment;

[0046] Figure 9 A structural schematic block diagram of the relay communication device based on the low-power wireless communication technology in one embodiment;

[0047] Figure 10 A structural schematic block diagram of the clock synchronization module in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present application, the present application will be described in more detail below with reference to the relevant drawings. The drawings show embodiments of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the disclosure of the present application more thorough and comprehensive.

[0049] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present application belongs. The terms used in the specification of the present application are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0050] It can be understood that the terms "first", "second", and the like used in the present application can be used herein to describe various elements, but these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the first element from another element.

[0051] It should be noted that when an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to another element, or connected to another element through a central element. In addition, "connected" in the following embodiments should be understood as "electrically connected", "communicatively connected", etc. if there is transmission of electrical signals or data between the connected objects.

[0052] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and / or "including", or the like, as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Also, the term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0053] Referring to Figure 1 , a structure diagram of a relay communication system based on low-power wireless communication technology in an embodiment is shown.

[0054] In the embodiment, the relay communication system can be composed of a plurality of smart home devices. The smart home devices can be various sensors for detecting home environment information, smart gateways, host devices, and other network nodes. The plurality of smart home devices can communicate data through wired communication technology or wireless communication technology, thereby constructing the relay communication system.

[0055] As Figure 1 shown, the relay communication system includes a first network node 100, a second network node 200, and a third network node 300. The next level network node of the first network node 100 is the second network node 200, and the previous level network node of the first network node 100 is the third network node 300.

[0056] Optionally, the third network node 300 can be a smart gateway. The first network node 100 can be a network device having a relay communication function and directly connected to the third network node 300 through wireless communication technology. The second network node 200 can be a network device accessing the third network node 300 through the first network node 100.

[0057] Specifically, when the third network node 300 adjusts the state of the second network node 200 according to user demand, the third network node 300 first sends a state adjustment instruction to the first network node 100, the first network node 100 directly forwards the state adjustment instruction to the second network node 200 after receiving the state adjustment instruction, and the second network node 200 adjusts its working state after receiving the state adjustment instruction; after the second network node 200 completes the adjustment, a state feedback signal for feeding back the adjusted working state information is sent to the first network node 100, the first network node 100 directly forwards the state feedback signal to the third network node 300 after receiving the state feedback signal, and the third network node 300 receives the state feedback signal to obtain the adjusted working state information of the second network node 200.

[0058] It can be understood that, according to actual use needs, the relay communication system of the network node of the present application can also include more levels of network nodes. For example, a next level network node of the second network node 200, i.e. a fourth network node, etc. can also be provided, which is not limited in the present application.

[0059] Referring to Figure 2 , a flowchart of a relay communication method based on low-power wireless communication technology in one embodiment is shown.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the relay communication method is applied to a first network node; as Figure 2 shown, the relay communication method includes steps 202 to 208.

[0061] Step 202, clock synchronization with the second network node and the third network node in a first listening window.

[0062] Optionally, the first listening window can be a listening time period when the first network node is in an awake state in the process of clock synchronization between the first network node and the second network node and the third network node.

[0063] It should be noted that the first network node, the second network node and the third network node all have their own clock systems, and there is a certain error between these clock systems but within the error permitted range, but the error becomes larger and larger with the accumulation of running time, and once it exceeds the error permitted range, it will cause abnormal communication between the network nodes.

[0064] Therefore, the clock synchronization means that the first network node, the second network node and the third network node have a certain error in their own clock systems, and at the same time, the error is continuously corrected within the permitted range through periodic clock synchronization to ensure normal communication between the network nodes.

[0065] In step 204, after the clock synchronization, a control instruction sent by the third network node is received based on a second listening window, the first listening window and the second listening window corresponding to two different listening time periods when the first network node is in the wake-up state.

[0066] Optionally, the second listening window can be a listening time period when the first network node is in the wake-up state for receiving the control instruction sent by the third network node; and the control instruction can be an instruction generated by the third network node according to user demand or home environment information, for controlling the second network node.

[0067] In step 206, a first receiving duration of the control instruction is obtained.

[0068] Optionally, the first receiving duration can be a time period occupied by the first network node from starting to receive the control instruction sent by the third network node to a complete receiving process; and the method for obtaining the first receiving duration of the control instruction can be derived by a clock system of the first network node itself.

[0069] In step 208, the control instruction is forwarded to the second network node according to time information of the second listening window and the first receiving duration.

[0070] Optionally, the time information of the second listening window refers to time period division information of the second listening window; the time period division information of the second listening window includes valid transmission and reception time of the second listening window and invalid transmission and reception time of the second listening window; the valid transmission and reception time of the second listening window and the invalid transmission and reception time of the second listening window constitute all the time occupied by the second listening window, and the valid transmission and reception time of the second listening window is greater than the invalid transmission and reception time of the second listening window.

[0071] It should be noted that the invalid transmission and reception time of the second listening window is to reduce the influence of system clock error after the clock synchronization of each network node, and therefore the ratio M of the valid transmission and reception time of the second listening window to the invalid transmission and reception time of the second listening window can be set according to the specific system clock error level, and specifically, the ratio M is in the range of 8 to 9.5.

[0072] Optionally, the method of forwarding the control instruction to the second network node according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving duration comprises: when the time span corresponding to the first receiving duration is in the active transmission time of the second listening window, forwarding the control instruction to the second network node; and when the time span of the first receiving duration is in the inactive transmission time of the second listening window, not forwarding the control instruction to the second network node.

[0073] Optionally, when the time span corresponding to the first receiving duration is in the active transmission time of the second listening window, the first receiving duration can be in the active transmission time of the second listening window.

[0074] In one embodiment, the second listening window comprises a plurality of transmission listening windows; after the clock synchronization, if the current transmission listening window is in the active transmission time, the first network node forwards the control instruction to the second network node or receives the control instruction sent by the third network node in the current transmission listening window; if the current transmission listening window is in the inactive transmission time, the first network node forwards the control instruction to the second network node or receives the control instruction sent by the third network node in the next transmission listening window.

[0075] Referring to Figure 3 After the clock synchronization between the first network node and the second network node and the third network node, the listening period T1 of the first network node and the second network node is the same, and the second listening window on the time axis corresponding to the first network node is also the same, so the listening time period corresponding to the first network node and the second network node in the wake-up state is the same.

[0076] When the third network node needs to adjust the working state of the second network node, the third network node sends the control instruction CMD to the first network node at the time point L1 in the active transmission time of the second listening window, and the first network node starts receiving the control instruction CMD sent by the third network node at the time point L1 and completes the reception at the time point L1+△L1. If the time point L1+△L1 is still in the active transmission time of the second listening window, the first network node directly forwards the control instruction CMD to the second network node; if the time point L1+△L1 is in the inactive transmission time of the second listening window, the first network node forwards the control instruction CMD to the second network node at the next active transmission time of the second listening window of the first network node, so that the second network node performs the corresponding action according to the control instruction.

[0077] The relay communication method based on the low-power wireless communication technology provided in the embodiment is to synchronize the clock with the second network node and the third network node in a first listening window; after the clock synchronization, a control instruction sent by the third network node is received based on a second listening window, the first listening window and the second listening window correspond to two different listening time periods when the first network node is in an awake state; a first receiving duration of the control instruction is obtained; the control instruction is forwarded to the second network node according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving duration; the first network node can effectively predict the listening window of the adjacent network node while forwarding the control instruction, so as to ensure the power consumption level of each network node and improve the applicability of each network node in a home application scenario with strict power consumption requirements.

[0078] Referring to Figure 4 , a flowchart of the method after step 208 in an embodiment is shown.

[0079] In the embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, the method after step 208 further includes steps 402 to 406.

[0080] Step 402: A state feedback signal sent by the second network node is received based on a third listening window, the state feedback signal is generated by the second network node according to the working state information after performing a corresponding action according to the control instruction.

[0081] Optionally, the third listening window can be a listening time period when the first network node is in an awake state for receiving the state feedback signal sent by the second network node; the state feedback signal can be a signal generated by the second network node according to user demand or home environment information, for feeding back the working state information of the second network node after performing a corresponding action according to the control instruction to the third network node.

[0082] Step 404: A second receiving duration of the state feedback signal is obtained.

[0083] Optionally, the second receiving duration can be a time period occupied by the second network node from starting to receive the state feedback signal sent by the second network node to complete the receiving process; the method for obtaining the second receiving duration of the state feedback signal can be derived by the clock system of the second network node itself.

[0084] Step 406: The state feedback signal is forwarded to the third network node according to the time information of the third listening window and the second receiving duration.

[0085] Optionally, the time information of the third listening window refers to time period division information of the third listening window; the time period division information of the third listening window comprises valid transmission time of the third listening window and invalid transmission time of the third listening window; the valid transmission time of the third listening window and the invalid transmission time of the third listening window constitute all time occupied by the third listening window, and the valid transmission time of the third listening window is greater than the invalid transmission time of the third listening window.

[0086] Optionally, the method of forwarding the status feedback signal to the third network node according to the time information of the third listening window and the second receiving duration comprises: when the time span corresponding to the second receiving duration is in the valid transmission time of the third listening window, forwarding the status feedback signal to the third network node; and when the time span of the second receiving duration is in the invalid transmission time of the third listening window, not forwarding the status feedback signal to the third network node.

[0087] Optionally, when the time span corresponding to the second receiving duration is in the valid transmission time of the third listening window, the end point of the second receiving duration can be in the valid transmission time of the third listening window.

[0088] In one embodiment, the third listening window comprises a plurality of transmission and listening windows; if the current transmission and listening window is in the valid transmission time, the second network node receives the status feedback signal sent by the second network node or forwards the status feedback signal to the third network node in the current transmission and listening window; if the current transmission and listening window is in the invalid transmission time, the second network node receives the status feedback signal sent by the second network node or forwards the status feedback signal to the third network node in the next transmission and listening window.

[0089] Specifically, referring to Figure 3 After the first network node is clock-synchronized with the second network node and the third network node, the listening period T1 of the first network node and the second network node is the same, and the second listening window on the time axis corresponding to the first network node is also the same, so the listening time period corresponding to the first network node and the second network node in the wake-up state is the same.

[0090] When the second network node needs to report the working state information after performing the corresponding action according to the control instruction CMD to the third network node, the second network node sends the state feedback signal REPORT to the first network node at a time point L2 within the effective receiving and sending time of the third listening window, the first network node is from the time point of starting to receive the state feedback signal REPORT sent by the third network node to the time point of complete receiving, which is L2+△L2, if the time point L2+△L2 is still within the effective receiving and sending time of the third listening window, the first network node directly forwards the state feedback signal REPORT to the third network node, if the time point L2+△L2 is within the invalid receiving and sending time of the third listening window, the first network node needs to forward the state feedback signal REPORT to the third network node at the next effective receiving and sending time of the second listening window of the first network node, so that the third network node knows the working state information of the second network node after performing the corresponding action according to the control instruction CMD.

[0091] The method provided after the step 208 in the embodiment receives the state feedback signal sent by the second network node based on the third listening window, the state feedback signal is the working state information of the second network node after performing the corresponding action according to the control instruction, obtains the second receiving duration of the state feedback signal, forwards the state feedback signal to the third network node according to the time information of the third listening window and the second receiving duration, realizes that the first network node forwards the state feedback signal while effectively predicting the listening window of the adjacent network node, thereby ensuring the power consumption level of each network node, and further improving the applicability of each network node in the home application scenario with strict power consumption requirements.

[0092] In one embodiment, the method after step 406 further comprises: in the case that the first confirmation signal fed back by the third network node is received within a preset time, stopping forwarding the state feedback signal to the third network node according to the first confirmation signal, the first confirmation signal is used to indicate that the third network node has received the state feedback signal; or in the case that the first confirmation signal is not received within a preset time, continuing to forward the state feedback signal to the third network node according to the time information of the third listening window and the second receiving duration.

[0093] Optionally, the first confirmation signal can be a signal generated by the third network node after receiving the state feedback signal, and fed back to the first network node to indicate that the third network node has received the state feedback signal.

[0094] Optionally, the preset time can be 5 ms or 10 ms, or can be other values, which can be set according to actual use scenarios, and is not limited here.

[0095] Specifically, continuing to refer to Figure 3 When the third network node receives the state feedback signal REPORT forwarded by the first network node, the third network node immediately generates the first confirmation signal ACK1 and sends it to the first network node; if the first confirmation signal ACK1 fed back by the third network node is received within a preset time, the first network node stops forwarding the state feedback signal REPORT to the third network node; avoiding repeated forwarding of signals to increase the power consumption of the first network node, thereby ensuring the power consumption level of each network node.

[0096] In addition, if the first confirmation signal ACK1 is not received within a preset time, the first network node continues to forward the state feedback signal REPORT to the third network node according to the time information of the third listening window and the second receiving duration, ensuring that the third network node can receive the state feedback signal REPORT, effectively ensuring normal communication between network nodes.

[0097] It should be noted that when the second network node sends the state feedback signal REPORT to the first network node, if the third confirmation signal ACK3 fed back by the first network node is received within a preset time, the second network node stops sending the state feedback signal REPORT to the first network node; avoiding repeated continuous sending of signals to increase the power consumption of the second network node, thereby ensuring the power consumption level of each network node.

[0098] In addition, if the third confirmation signal ACK3 is not received within a preset time, the second network node continues to send the state feedback signal REPORT to the first network node, ensuring that the third network node can receive the state feedback signal REPORT, effectively ensuring normal communication between network nodes.

[0099] In one embodiment, the method after step 208 further comprises: in the case that the second confirmation signal fed back by the second network node is received within a preset time, stopping forwarding the control instruction to the second network node according to the second confirmation signal, the second confirmation signal being used to indicate that the second network node has received the control instruction; or in the case that the second confirmation signal is not received within a preset time, forwarding the control instruction to the second network node again according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving duration. In one embodiment, the method after step 208 further comprises: in the case that the second confirmation signal fed back by the second network node is received within a preset time, stopping forwarding the control instruction to the second network node according to the second confirmation signal, the second confirmation signal being used to indicate that the second network node has received the control instruction; or in the case that the second confirmation signal is not received within a preset time, forwarding the control instruction to the second network node again according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving duration.

[0100] Optionally, the second confirmation signal can be a signal generated by the second network node after receiving the control instruction, and fed back to the first network node to indicate that the second network node has received the control instruction.

[0101] Specifically, continuing to refer to Figure 3 When the second network node receives the control instruction CMD forwarded by the first network node, the second network node immediately generates the second confirmation signal ACK2 and sends it to the first network node. If the first network node receives the second confirmation signal ACK2 fed back by the second network node within a preset time, the first network node stops forwarding the control instruction CMD to the second network node, thereby avoiding repeated forwarding of the control instruction and increasing the power consumption of the first network node, and ensuring the power consumption level of each network node.

[0102] In addition, if the second confirmation signal ACK2 is not received within a preset time, the first network node forwards the control instruction CMD to the second network node again according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving duration, so as to ensure that the third network node can receive the control instruction CMD, and effectively ensure the normal communication between network nodes.

[0103] It should be noted that, after the third network node sends the control instruction CMD to the first network node, if the fourth confirmation signal ACK4 fed back by the first network node is received within a preset time, the third network node stops sending the control instruction CMD to the first network node, thereby avoiding repeated and continuous sending of the signal and increasing the power consumption of the third network node, and ensuring the power consumption level of each network node.

[0104] In addition, if the fourth confirmation signal ACK4 is not received within a preset time, the third network node continues to send the control instruction CMD to the first network node, so as to ensure that the third network node can receive the control instruction CMD, and effectively ensure the normal communication between network nodes.

[0105] Referring to Figure 5 is a specific flowchart of step 202 in an embodiment.

[0106] In this embodiment, the first listening window includes a first clock synchronization window and a second clock synchronization window. Figure 5 As shown in the figure, step 202 includes sub-step 502 to sub-step 504.

[0107] In step 502, the reference clock of the first network node is updated according to the reference time point of the third network node and the first time to be synchronized within the first clock synchronization window.

[0108] Optionally, the reference time point of the third network node can be the starting point of the reference clock synchronization of the third network node, and the first time to be synchronized can be the time length for adjusting the reference clock of the first network node to synchronize the reference clock of the first network node with the reference time point of the third network node when the reference clock synchronization is performed between the first network node and the third network node.

[0109] Optionally, the first clock synchronization window can be the listening time period of the first network node in the wake-up state when the reference clock synchronization is performed between the first network node and the third network node.

[0110] In step 504, the reference clock of the second network node is updated according to the updated reference clock of the first network node and the second time to be synchronized within the second clock synchronization window.

[0111] Optionally, the updated reference clock of the first network node can be the time point after the reference clock synchronization is performed between the first network node and the third network node, and the second time to be synchronized can be the time length for adjusting the reference clock of the second network node to synchronize the reference clock of the second network node with the updated reference clock of the first network node when the reference clock synchronization is performed between the first network node and the second network node.

[0112] Optionally, the second clock synchronization window can be the listening time period of the first network node in the wake-up state when the reference clock synchronization is performed between the first network node and the second network node, and it should be noted that the first clock synchronization window and the second clock synchronization window respectively correspond to two different listening time periods when the reference clock synchronization is performed by the first network node.

[0113] It should be noted that the method for updating the reference clock of the first network node within the first clock synchronization window and updating the reference clock of the second network node within the second clock synchronization window can be derived through a reference clock synchronization frame.

[0114] Optionally, the reference clock synchronization frame can be a data frame containing the reference time point of the third network node and the first time to be synchronized, or a data frame containing the updated reference clock of the first network node and the second time to be synchronized.

[0115] Specifically, when the first network node is clock-synchronized with the third network node, referring to Figure 6 , a time point is selected as a reference time point t1 after the third network node completes power-on startup, and the total time length of the reference clock synchronization frame and the corresponding wireless conflict backoff that the third network node is ready to send to the first network node is △t1, so the third network node sends the reference clock synchronization frame to the first network node at time point t2 = t1 + △t1, and the total time length of the reference clock synchronization frame received and parsed by the first network node is △t2, so the first network node updates its reference clock at time point t3 = t1 + △t1 + △t2.

[0116] Continuing to refer to Figure 6 , when the first network node is clock-synchronized with the second network node, the total time length of the reference clock synchronization frame and the corresponding wireless conflict backoff that the first network node is ready to send to the second network node is △t3, so the first network node sends the reference clock synchronization frame to the second network node at time point t4 = t1 + △t1 + △t2 + △t3, and the total time length of the reference clock synchronization frame received and parsed by the second network node is △t4, so the second network node updates its reference clock at time point t5 = t1 + △t1 + △t2 + △t3 + △t4.

[0117] It should be noted that, as shown in Figure 7 , the shorter rectangular portion on the time axis of the first network node and the second network node is the first listening window; the length of the first listening window can be 10 ms, or other values, which is set according to specific business requirements. When the first network node is clock-synchronized with the second network node and the third network node, the reference clock synchronization frame transmitted between the first network node and the third network node and between the first network node and the second network node can only be received if it falls within the first listening window, and at other times each network node is in a dormant state, i.e., cannot receive the reference clock synchronization frame.

[0118] In addition, as shown in Figure 7As shown, the long rectangular part on the timeline of the first network node is the extended first listening window; when the first network node is restarted due to power-on or other reasons, the clock synchronization is abnormal, and the first listening window of the first network node is extended because the reference clock of the first network node is in an unsynchronized state, so that the first network node is kept in the wake-up listening state, thereby ensuring that the reference clock synchronization frame is received as soon as possible, so that the first network node is synchronized with the reference clocks of other network nodes. If other network nodes also have similar clock synchronization abnormalities, the corresponding first listening window is extended.

[0119] Secondly, as shown in the figure, Figure 7 As shown, the interval between the adjacent two reference clock synchronization frames sent by the same network node is a clock synchronization period T0; the interval between the adjacent two first listening windows is a listening period T1, the clock synchronization period T0 is N times of the listening period T1, the value of N is greater than 2, and specifically, the value of N can be an integer between 50 and 200; the listening period T1 can be 100 ms, the larger the listening period T1 is, the slower the response speed of the corresponding network node is, and the lower the clock synchronization power consumption is, thereby ensuring the power consumption level of each network node.

[0120] The relay communication method based on the low-power wireless communication technology provided in the embodiment updates the reference clock of the first network node in the first clock synchronization window according to the reference time point of the third network node and the first to-be-synchronized time; updates the reference clock of the second network node in the second clock synchronization window according to the updated reference clock of the first network node and the second to-be-synchronized time; realizes the clock synchronization between the first network node and the second network node and the third network node in the first listening window, provides conditions for simultaneously and effectively predicting the listening window of the adjacent network node when the control instruction or the state feedback signal is subsequently forwarded, thereby ensuring the power consumption level of each network node.

[0121] In one embodiment, when the first network node and / or the second network node is in a clock synchronization abnormality, the first clock synchronization window and / or the second clock synchronization window is increased to update the reference clock of the first network node and / or the second network node.

[0122] Optionally, the situation that the first network node and / or the second network node is in a clock synchronization abnormality can be that the first network node and / or the second network node is in a state after power-on restart or restart due to other reasons, or that the first network node and the second network node do not perform clock synchronization within a preset clock synchronization time, or that the first network node and the third network node do not perform clock synchronization within a preset clock synchronization time.

[0123] It should be understood that although Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 the steps in the flowcharts are shown in sequence according to the arrows, the steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise specified herein, the steps are not strictly limited in sequence, and the steps can be executed in other sequences. Moreover, Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 At least some of the steps can include multiple sub-steps or multiple stages, which are not necessarily executed at the same time, but can be executed at different times, and the execution order of the sub-steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be alternately executed with at least some of the other steps or sub-steps or stages of other steps. It should be noted that the above different embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0124] Referring to Figure 8 , it is a schematic block diagram of the structure of a relay communication device based on low-power wireless communication technology in an embodiment.

[0125] In the embodiment, the relay communication device is applied to a first network node, a next-level network node of the first network node is a second network node, and a previous-level network node of the first network node is a third network node.

[0126] As shown in Figure 8 , the relay communication device includes a clock synchronization module 820, an instruction receiving module 840, a time length obtaining module 860, and a relay module 880.

[0127] The clock synchronization module 820 is configured to perform clock synchronization with the second network node and the third network node in a first listening window.

[0128] The instruction receiving module 840 is connected with the clock synchronization module 820 and is configured to receive a control instruction sent by the third network node based on a second listening window after the clock synchronization, the first listening window and the second listening window respectively corresponding to two different listening time periods when the first network node is in an awake state.

[0129] The time length obtaining module 860 is connected with the instruction receiving module 840 and is configured to obtain a first receiving time length of the control instruction.

[0130] The relay module 880 is connected with the instruction receiving module 840 and the time length obtaining module 860 respectively, and is configured to forward the control instruction to the second network node according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving time length.

[0131] In the embodiments, the modules are configured to perform the steps Figure 2 In the corresponding embodiments, the steps are described in detail, and refer to Figure 2 and Figure 2 The related descriptions in the corresponding embodiments are not repeated here.

[0132] In the embodiments, the relay communication device based on the low-power wireless communication technology is configured to synchronize the clock with the second network node and the third network node in the first listening window through the clock synchronization module 820; the instruction receiving module 840 connected with the clock synchronization module 820 is configured to receive the control instruction sent by the third network node based on the second listening window after the clock is synchronized, and the first listening window and the second listening window correspond to two different listening time periods when the first network node is in the wake-up state; the time length obtaining module 860 connected with the instruction receiving module 840 is configured to obtain the first receiving time length of the control instruction; and the relay module 880 connected with the instruction receiving module 840 and the time length obtaining module 860 is configured to forward the control instruction to the second network node according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving time length; the first network node forwards the control instruction while effectively predicting the listening window of the adjacent network node, so as to ensure the power consumption level of each network node, and further improve the applicability of each network node in the home application scenario with strict power consumption requirements.

[0133] Refer to Figure 9 , which is a structural schematic block diagram of the relay communication device based on the low-power wireless communication technology in an embodiment.

[0134] In the embodiments, the relay communication device is applied to the first network node, the next-level network node of the first network node is the second network node, and the previous-level network node of the first network node is the third network node.

[0135] As shown in Figure 9 , the relay communication device includes a feedback receiving module 920, a time length obtaining module 940, and a relay module 960.

[0136] The feedback receiving module 920 is configured to receive the state feedback signal sent by the second network node based on the third listening window, and the state feedback signal is generated by the second network node according to the working state information after performing the corresponding action according to the control instruction.

[0137] The time length obtaining module 940 is connected with the feedback receiving module 920, and is configured to obtain a second receiving time length of the state feedback signal.

[0138] The relay module 960 is connected with the feedback receiving module 920 and the time length obtaining module 940 respectively, and is configured to forward the state feedback signal to the third network node according to the time information of the third listening window and the second receiving time length.

[0139] In the embodiments, each module is configured to perform the steps described above. Figure 4 In the corresponding embodiments, each step is specifically described in the foregoing description of the steps. Figure 4 In the corresponding embodiments, each step is specifically described in the foregoing description of the steps. Figure 4 In the corresponding embodiments, each step is specifically described in the foregoing description of the steps.

[0140] In the embodiments, the relay communication device based on the low-power wireless communication technology comprises a feedback receiving module 920 configured to receive a state feedback signal sent by a second network node based on a third listening window, wherein the state feedback signal is generated by the second network node according to working state information after performing corresponding actions according to a control instruction; a time length obtaining module 940 connected with the feedback receiving module 920 and configured to obtain a second receiving time length of the state feedback signal; and a relay module 960 connected with the feedback receiving module 920 and the time length obtaining module 940 respectively and configured to forward the state feedback signal to the third network node according to the time information of the third listening window and the second receiving time length. The first network node can predict the listening window of a neighboring network node while forwarding the state feedback signal, so as to ensure the power consumption level of each network node and improve the applicability of each network node in a home application scenario with strict power consumption requirements.

[0141] Refer to Figure 10 for a specific structural schematic block diagram of the clock synchronization module in an embodiment.

[0142] In the embodiments, the first listening window comprises a first clock synchronization window and a second clock synchronization window. Figure 10 As shown in the figure, the clock synchronization module comprises a first clock synchronization unit 1020 and a second clock synchronization unit 1040.

[0143] The first clock synchronization unit 1020 is configured to update a reference clock of the first network node in the first clock synchronization window according to a reference time point of the third network node and a first to-be-synchronized time.

[0144] The second clock synchronization unit 1040 is connected with the first clock synchronization unit 1020 and is configured to update a reference clock of the second network node in the second clock synchronization window according to the updated reference clock of the first network node and a second to-be-synchronized time.

[0145] The units in the embodiment are configured to perform the steps in the corresponding embodiment in the method. Figure 5 The units in the embodiment are configured to perform the steps in the corresponding embodiment in the method. Figure 5 The units in the embodiment are configured to perform the steps in the corresponding embodiment in the method. Figure 5 The units in the embodiment are configured to perform the steps in the corresponding embodiment in the method.

[0146] In the embodiment, the low-power-consumption wireless communication technology-based relay communication method is used. The first clock synchronization unit 1020 updates the reference clock of the first network node in the first clock synchronization window according to the reference time point of the third network node and the first time to be synchronized. The second clock synchronization unit 1040 connected to the first clock synchronization unit 1020 updates the reference clock of the second network node in the second clock synchronization window according to the updated reference clock of the first network node and the second time to be synchronized. The first network node is clock-synchronized with the second network node and the third network node in the first listening window, which provides conditions for simultaneously and effectively predicting the listening window of the adjacent network node for subsequent forwarding of the control instruction or the state feedback signal, thereby ensuring the power consumption level of each network node.

[0147] The division of the modules in the low-power-consumption wireless communication technology-based relay communication device is only used for illustration. In other embodiments, the low-power-consumption wireless communication technology-based relay communication device can be divided into different modules as needed to complete all or part of the functions of the low-power-consumption wireless communication technology-based relay communication device.

[0148] The specific limitations of the low-power-consumption wireless communication technology-based relay communication device can be referred to the limitations of the low-power-consumption wireless communication technology-based relay communication method, which will not be repeated here. The modules in the low-power-consumption wireless communication technology-based relay communication device can be realized by software, hardware, and combinations thereof, in whole or in part. The modules can be embedded in or independent of the processor in the computer device in hardware form, or stored in the memory in the computer device in software form, so as to be called and executed by the processor.

[0149] In the embodiment, a low-power-consumption wireless communication technology-based relay communication system is also provided. The relay communication system includes a first network node, a second network node, and a third network node. The next-level network node of the first network node is the second network node, and the previous-level network node of the first network node is the third network node. The first network node performs the steps of the method in the above embodiments.

[0150] The embodiment of the present application also provides a smart home device, which comprises the relay communication device based on the low-power wireless communication technology in the above embodiment, realizes the effective prediction of the listening window of the adjacent network node while the first network node forwards the control instruction, thereby ensuring the power consumption level of each network node, and further improving the applicability of each network node in the smart home application scenario with strict power consumption requirements.

[0151] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer device, which comprises a memory and a processor, the memory stores a computer program, and the computer program is executed by the processor to make the processor execute the steps of the method in the above embodiment.

[0152] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer readable storage medium. One or more nonvolatile computer readable storage media containing computer executable instructions, when the computer executable instructions are executed by one or more processors, make the processor execute the steps of the method in the above embodiment.

[0153] The relay communication method, device and system based on the low-power wireless communication technology in the above embodiment realize the effective prediction of the listening window of the adjacent network node while the first network node forwards the control instruction, thereby ensuring the power consumption level of each network node, and further improving the applicability of each network node in the smart home application scenario with strict power consumption requirements, and have important economic value and practical value.

[0154] Any reference to memory, storage, a database or other medium usable by a computer refers to non-volatile and / or volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. As an illustration and not a limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), Rambus DRAM (RDRAM), direct Rambus dynamic RAM (DRDRAM), and Rambus dynamic RAM (RDRAM).

[0155] Any combination of the technical features in the above-described embodiments can be made, and for the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations are described, however, it is to be understood that the application embraces all such possible combinations.

[0156] The above-described embodiments only express several implementation manners of the present application, and the description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be understood as a limitation on the patent scope of the application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary skilled persons in the art, some modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for relaying communication based on low power wireless communication technology, characterized in that, The application is applied to a first network node, a next-level network node of the first network node is a second network node, and a previous-level network node of the first network node is a third network node; The relay communication method comprises: Clock synchronization is performed with the second network node and the third network node in a first listening window; After the clock synchronization, a control instruction sent by the third network node is received based on a second listening window, the first listening window and the second listening window correspond to two different listening time periods when the first network node is in an awake state; A first receiving duration of the control instruction is obtained; When a time span corresponding to the first receiving duration is in an effective transceiving time of the second listening window, the control instruction is forwarded to the second network node; the effective transceiving time of the second listening window and an ineffective transceiving time of the second listening window constitute all time occupied by the second listening window, and / or When the time span of the first receiving duration is in the ineffective transceiving time of the second listening window, the control instruction is not forwarded to the second network node.

2. The relay communication method according to claim 1, characterized by, After the step of forwarding the control instruction to the second network node, the method further comprises: A state feedback signal sent by the second network node is received based on a third listening window, the state feedback signal is generated by the second network node according to working state information after corresponding actions are performed according to the control instruction; A second receiving duration of the state feedback signal is obtained; When a time span corresponding to the second receiving duration is in an effective transceiving time of the third listening window, the state feedback signal is forwarded to the third network node; the effective transceiving time of the third listening window and an ineffective transceiving time of the third listening window constitute all time occupied by the third listening window, and / or When the time span of the second receiving duration is in the ineffective transceiving time of the third listening window, the state feedback signal is not forwarded to the third network node.

3. The relay communication method according to claim 2, wherein After the step of forwarding the state feedback signal to the third network node, the method further comprises: In a case where a first acknowledgement signal fed back by the third network node is received within a preset time, the state feedback signal is stopped from being continuously forwarded to the third network node according to the first acknowledgement signal, and the first acknowledgement signal is used to indicate that the third network node has received the state feedback signal; or In a case where the first acknowledgement signal is not received within the preset time, the state feedback signal is continuously forwarded to the third network node according to time information of the third listening window and the second receiving duration.

4. The relay communication method according to claim 2, wherein The third listening window comprises a plurality of transceiving listening windows; If the current transceiving listening window is in the effective transceiving time, the state feedback signal sent by the second network node is received in the current transceiving listening window or the state feedback signal is forwarded to the third network node; If the current transceiving listening window is in the ineffective transceiving time, the state feedback signal sent by the second network node is received in the next transceiving listening window or the state feedback signal is forwarded to the third network node.

5. The relay communication method according to claim 1, wherein The step of forwarding the control instruction to the second network node further comprises: In the case that the second network node feedbacks a second confirmation signal within a preset time, stopping forwarding the control instruction to the second network node according to the second confirmation signal, wherein the second confirmation signal is used to indicate that the second network node has received the control instruction; or In the case that the second network node does not feedback the second confirmation signal within a preset time, forwarding the control instruction to the second network node again according to the time information of the second listening window and the first receiving duration.

6. The relay communication method according to claim 1, wherein The first listening window comprises a first clock synchronization window and a second clock synchronization window; and the clock synchronization with the second network node and the third network node in the first listening window comprises: updating the reference clock of the first network node in the first clock synchronization window according to the reference time point of the third network node and a first to-be-synchronized time; and updating the reference clock of the second network node in the second clock synchronization window according to the updated reference clock of the first network node and a second to-be-synchronized time.

7. The relay communication method according to claim 6, wherein When the first network node and / or the second network node is in clock synchronization exception, the first clock synchronization window and / or the second clock synchronization window is increased correspondingly to update the reference clock of the first network node and the second network node.

8. The relay communication method according to claim 1, wherein The second listening window comprises a plurality of transceiving listening windows; and after the clock synchronization: if the current transceiving listening window is in a valid transceiving time, forwarding the control instruction to the second network node or receiving the control instruction sent by the third network node in the current transceiving listening window; and if the current transceiving listening window is in an invalid transceiving time, forwarding the control instruction to the second network node or receiving the control instruction sent by the third network node in the next transceiving listening window.

9. A relay communication device based on low-power wireless communication technology, characterized in that, The application is applied to the first network node, the next-level network node of the first network node is the second network node, and the previous-level network node of the first network node is the third network node. The relay communication device comprises: a clock synchronization module, configured to perform clock synchronization with the second network node and the third network node in the first listening window; an instruction receiving module, connected with the clock synchronization module, configured to receive the control instruction sent by the third network node based on the second listening window after the clock synchronization, wherein the first listening window and the second listening window correspond to two different listening time periods when the first network node is in an awake state; a duration obtaining module, connected with the instruction receiving module, configured to obtain a first receiving duration of the control instruction; a relay module, connected with the instruction receiving module and the duration obtaining module, configured to forward the control instruction to the second network node when the time span corresponding to the first receiving duration is in the valid transceiving time of the second listening window, wherein the valid transceiving time of the second listening window and the invalid transceiving time of the second listening window constitute all the time occupied by the second listening window.

10. A relay communication system based on low power wireless communication technology, characterized by, The relay communication system comprises a first network node, a second network node and a third network node, the next level network node of the first network node is the second network node, the previous level network node of the first network node is the third network node, and the first network node performs the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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