Packet forwarding method of wireless network and main node and sub-node thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a packet forwarding method of a wireless network, and a main node and sub-nodes thereof. The wireless network comprises the main node and N sub-nodes. The method comprises the following steps that: a main node respectively sends M unicast groups to N child nodes in sequence; a forwarding child node in the N child nodes receives the M unicast groups; the forwarding child node generates and sends a forwarding packet according to a unicast packet in the M unicast packets; and a target child node in the N child nodes receives the forwarding packet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to data transmission in a wireless network, and particularly to a packet forwarding method for a wireless network used in an audio system, as well as a master node and a slave node thereof. Background Art

[0002] The use of wireless networks (or "Wi-Fi") has penetrated every corner of daily life. Wi-Fi plays an important role in everything from smart homes to video and entertainment. With the continuous improvement of the requirements for audio quality, the Wi-Fi network has become the preferred connection method for products such as Wi-Fi smart speakers due to its high-speed and stable transmission speed. Wi-Fi smart speakers can not only provide high-quality music playback but also interact with other smart devices, bringing a richer experience to users. Therefore, it can be foreseen that the Wi-Fi network will play a greater role in future smart products.

[0003] Current audio and video systems usually support multiple channels, so multiple Wi-Fi smart speakers need to be equipped. In a general design scheme, the master node sends audio data into the air through Wi-Fi multicast or broadcast, and then the slave nodes receive and parse the data of their channels, and finally hand it over to the audio playback circuit in the slave nodes for playback. However, since the multicast or broadcast packets of Wi-Fi transmission are not guaranteed by acknowledgement (ACK) information, the multicast or broadcast packets cannot ensure that each slave node will receive the audio data therein. If a slave node fails to receive multiple consecutive packets, it cannot obtain the audio data carried in the packets, resulting in continuous loss of audio data. Once the continuous loss of audio data reaches a certain number, it will cause a stuttering phenomenon during playback, thereby affecting the user's listening experience. Therefore, how to ensure the stability and reliability of Wi-Fi smart speakers when transmitting audio data is an important issue in current technology research and development. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention provides a packet forwarding method for a wireless network. The wireless network includes a master node and N slave nodes, where N is an integer greater than 1. The method includes: the master node sequentially sends M unicast packets to the N slave nodes respectively, where M is a positive integer and M≥N; the forwarding slave nodes among the N slave nodes receive the M unicast packets; the forwarding slave nodes generate and send forwarding packets according to the unicast packets among the M unicast packets; and the target slave nodes among the N slave nodes receive the forwarding packets.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a child node, including: a control module; and a transceiver. The transceiver is coupled to the control module and is used to receive a unicast packet and the forwarding capability of the child node from the parent node. The control module is used to generate a forwarding packet according to the unicast packet. The control module is used to cause the transceiver to send the forwarding packet at least according to the forwarding capability.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a parent node, which is coupled to N child nodes, where N is an integer greater than 1. The parent node includes a control module and a transceiver. The transceiver is coupled to the control module and is used to sequentially send M unicast packets to N child nodes respectively, where M is a positive integer and M≥N, and receive M receiving results of the M unicast packets from the N child nodes respectively. The control module is used to determine the N forwarding capabilities of the N child nodes according to the M receiving results of the M unicast packets. The transceiver is used to send the N forwarding capabilities of the N child nodes. Description of the Drawings

[0007] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a wireless network adopting space diversity in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a flowchart of the packet forwarding method of the wireless network in

[0009] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of sequentially sending unicast packets respectively.

[0010] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a wireless network adopting time diversity in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 5 It is a block diagram of a wireless network in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a flowchart of an operation method of the parent node in

[0013] Figure 7 is Figure 5 a flowchart of an operation method of the child node in

[0014] Figure 8 is Figure 5 a flowchart of another operation method of the child node in Detailed Embodiments

[0015] Figure 1It is a schematic diagram of a wireless (Wi-Fi) network 1 adopting space diversity in an embodiment of the present invention. The Wi-Fi network 1 may include a main node M1 and sub-nodes S(1) to S(N) that are mutually coupled, where N is an integer greater than 1. For example, when N = 4, the Wi-Fi network 1 may include sub-nodes S(1) to S(4). Both the main node M1 and the sub-nodes S(1) to S(N) may have Wi-Fi transmission capabilities and transmit Wi-Fi packets to each other through Wi-Fi links. Since the Wi-Fi network 1 operates in a time-varying environment, it will be affected by adjacent Wi-Fi networks, electronic devices, moving people, metal objects, or other obstacles, resulting in interference in the Wi-Fi network 1.

[0016] The Wi-Fi network 1 can be applied to an audio system, where the main node M1 can be a TV, a computer, a set-top box, a multimedia player, or other source devices, and the sub-nodes S(1) to S(N) can be wireless speakers, arranged at different spatial positions to support multi-channel playback. Each of the sub-nodes S(1) to S(N) can play audio data of one or more channels. The main node M1 can send Wi-Fi packets carrying audio data of all channels in a unicast, multicast, or broadcast manner, and the sub-nodes S(1) to S(N) can receive and parse the Wi-Fi packets to obtain the audio data of their respective channels, and hand them over to the audio circuits in the sub-nodes for processing and playback. The Wi-Fi network 1 can cope with the problem that some sub-nodes cannot correctly receive packets from the main node M1 when being interfered by forwarding packets through non-interfered sub-nodes, effectively reducing the continuous packet loss of sub-nodes, reducing the impact of packet loss caused by interference on network performance, thereby reducing the phenomenon of audio dropout during playback and improving the user experience.

[0017] When interference Int1 occurs in the transmission path between the master node M1 and the slave node S(2), the slave node S(2) may lose the Wi-Fi packets sent by the master node M1. However, due to the different spatial positions of the slave nodes S(1), S(3) to S(N) from the slave node S(2), there is no interference in their transmission paths. Therefore, the slave nodes S(1), S(3) to S(N) can correctly receive the Wi-Fi packets from the master node M1. In addition, there is no interference in the transmission paths between the slave nodes S(1), S(3) to S(N) and the slave node S(2). Re-sending the received Wi-Fi packets through the transmission path by one or more of the slave nodes S(1), S(3) to S(N) will give the slave node S(2) a higher probability of receiving the forwarded packets, thus compensating for the previously lost Wi-Fi packets. In this embodiment, the slave nodes S(1) and S(3) can respectively transmit the forwarded packets FPK(1) and FPK(3) from different spatial positions according to the received Wi-Fi packets, so that the slave node S(2) can still receive the forwarded packet FPK(1) through the transmission path between the slave nodes S(1) and S(2), and receive the forwarded packet FPK(3) through the transmission path between the slave nodes S(3) and S(2), achieving the effect of spatial diversity and improving the reception success rate of the interfered slave node.

[0018] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a packet forwarding method 200 for a Wi-Fi network 1. The method 200 includes steps S202 to S208 for forwarding packets to an interfered slave node. Any reasonable technical change or step adjustment falls within the scope disclosed by the present invention. The details of steps S202 to S208 are described as follows:

[0019] Step S202: The master node sequentially sends M unicast packets to N slave nodes respectively;

[0020] Step S204: The slave nodes receive M unicast packets;

[0021] Step S206: The slave nodes generate and send forwarded packets according to the unicast packets among the M unicast packets;

[0022] Step S208: Another slave node receives the forwarded packets.

[0023] The following describes Figure 1 the steps of method 200 with reference to the Wi-Fi network 1 in FIG. 4. In step S202, M is a positive integer and M≥N. In Figure 1Among them, M is equal to N, and the master node M1 can sequentially send unicast packets PK(1) to PK(N) of audio data with all channels to the slave nodes S(1) to S(N) in a unicast manner. In some embodiments, M can also be greater than N. For example, M = 6 and N = 3. The master node M1 can sequentially send unicast packets PK(1) to PK(6) in the order of slave nodes S(1), S(1), S(2), S(2), S(3), and S(3).

[0024] The unicast packets PK(1) to PK(N) carry the multi-channel audio data of the slave nodes S(1) to S(N) at each moment. Figure 3It is a schematic diagram of sequentially sending unicast packets respectively, where the horizontal axis represents time t. At time t1, the master node M1 can send the unicast packet PK(1) to the slave node S(1). The unicast packet PK(1) can carry the destination address (DA) and audio data S(1)-1 to S(N)-1. The destination address DA can be the address of the slave node S(1), i.e., Add(S(1)) (such as the media access control (MAC) address or the default identification value). The audio data S(1)-1 can be the audio data of the slave node S(1), …, and the audio data S(N)-1 can be the audio data of the slave node S(N). If the slave node S(1) successfully receives the unicast packet PK(1), the slave node S(1) will send back an acknowledgement (ACK) message to the master node M1 to report that the reception of the slave node S(1) is good. In addition, the slave node S(1) will parse the unicast packet PK(1) to obtain the audio data S(1)-1 and process and play it accordingly. If the slave node S(1) fails to receive the unicast packet PK(1) successfully, the slave node S(1) will not send back the ACK message to the master node M1 to report that the reception of the slave node S(1) is poor. In some embodiments, the master node M1 is not limited to using the same unicast packet PK(1) to send the destination address DA and the audio data S(1)-1 to S(N)-1, but can use separate packets to send the destination address DA and the audio data S(1)-1 to S(N)-1 respectively. At the same time, other slave nodes S(2) to S(N) will detect and receive the unicast packet PK(1) in the sniffer mode. Since the addresses of the slave nodes S(2) to S(N) are not the destination address of the unicast packet PK(1), the slave nodes S(2) to S(N) will not send back the ACK message, but only parse the unicast packet PK(1) to obtain the audio data S(2)-1 to S(N)-1 respectively and process and play it accordingly. Similarly, at time t2, the master node M1 can send the unicast packet PK(2) to the slave node S(2). The unicast packet PK(2) can carry the destination address DA and the audio data S(1)-2 to S(N)-2. The destination address DA can be the address of the slave node S(2), i.e., Add(S(2)). The audio data S(1)-2 can be the audio data of the slave node S(1), …, and the audio data S(N)-2 can be the audio data of the slave node S(N). If the slave node S(2) successfully receives the unicast packet PK(2), the slave node S(2) will send back the ACK message to the master node M1 to report that the reception of the slave node S(1) is good, and parse the unicast packet PK(2) to obtain the audio data S(2)-2 and process and play it accordingly.If the child node S(2) fails to successfully receive the unicast packet PK(2), the child node S(2) will not send back an ACK message to the master node M1 to report the poor reception of the child node S(2). At the same time, other child nodes S(1), S(3) to S(N) will detect and receive the unicast packet PK(2) in the detection mode, parse the unicast packet PK(2) to respectively obtain the audio data S(1)-2, S(3)-2 to S(N)-1, and process and play them accordingly. And so on, at times t3 to t(N), the master node M1 can sequentially send the unicast packets PK(3) to PK(N) to the child nodes S(3) to S(N) respectively, and other child nodes can receive the unicast packets PK(3) to PK(N) in the detection mode, so that each of the child nodes S(1) to S(N) can obtain the corresponding audio data. At time t(N+1), the master node M1 can send the unicast packet PK(N+1) to the child node S(1) to restart the next unicast cycle according to the unicast packet transmission order at times t1 to t(N).

[0025] In step S204, among the child nodes S(1) to S(N), the child node S(n1) has undisturbed and good reception conditions at times t1 to t(N). Therefore, the child node S(n1) will receive the unicast packets PK(1) to PK(N) and obtain all the audio data in the unicast packets PK(1) to PK(N), where n1 is an integer from 1 to N. For example, n1 can be 1 or 3, and the child nodes S(1) and / or S(3) can be used as forwarding child nodes. In step S206, the child node S(n1) generates and sends one or more forwarding packets based on one or more of the unicast packets PK(1) to PK(N), and transmits the forwarding packets to the interfered child nodes via an undisturbed transmission path. In some embodiments, the child node S(n1) can directly generate and send one or more forwarding packets in a unicast, multicast, or broadcast manner based on all the audio data in the unicast packets PK(1) to PK(N). For example, the child node S(1) can directly generate and send a forwarding packet FPK(1) based on all the audio data S(1)-1 to S(N)-1 in the unicast packet PK(1), and / or the child node S(3) can directly generate and send a forwarding packet FPK(3) based on all the audio data S(1)-1 to S(N)-1 in the unicast packet PK(1). In other embodiments, the child node S(n1) can generate and send one or more forwarding packets based on some of the audio data in the unicast packets PK(1) to PK(N) respectively, reducing the size of the forwarding packets and accelerating the forwarding speed. For example, the child node S(1) can generate and send a forwarding packet FPK(1) only based on the audio data S(1)-2 in the unicast packet PK(1), and / or the child node S(3) can directly generate and send a forwarding packet FPK(3) based on the audio data S(1)-2 in the unicast packet PK(1). In step S208, another child node S(n2) among the child nodes S(1) to S(N) can be interfered, where n2 is an integer from 1 to N and n2 is not equal to n1. For example, n2 can be 2, and the child node S(2) can be the target interfered child node, losing one or more of the unicast packets PK(1) to PK(N) due to the influence of the interference Int1. The child node S(2) receives the forwarding packet FPK(1) via the transmission path between the child nodes S(1) and S(2), and / or receives the forwarding packet FPK(3) via the transmission path between the child nodes S(3) and S(2), compensating for the previously lost audio data through the space diversity forwarding method.

[0026] In some embodiments, the Wi-Fi network 1 can also adopt a time diversity forwarding method. Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a Wi-Fi network 1 adopting time diversity in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 and Figure 1The difference is that interference Int2 exists near the child node S(2), so it will affect both the transmission path between the main node M1 and the child node S(2) and the transmission path between the child nodes S(1) and S(2). Since there is no interference in the transmission paths between the nodes S(1), S(3) to S(N) and the main node M1, the nodes S(1), S(3) to S(N) can correctly receive the packets sent by the main node M1. If the child node S(1) forwards immediately after receiving a packet from the main node M1, since interference Int2 still affects the transmission path between the child nodes S(1) and S(2), the child node S(2) may not be able to receive the forwarded packet. If interference Int2 is a bursty and short-duration interference, the child node S(1) and / or S(3) can avoid interference Int2 by forwarding at different times, achieving the effect of time diversity and compensating for the lost data due to interference. The child node S(1) can send the forwarded packet FPK(1) only after generating the forwarded packet FPK(1) and after a first delay time. Similarly, the child node S(3) can send the forwarded packet FPK(3) only after generating the forwarded packet FPK(3) and after a second delay time, and the lengths of the first delay time and the second delay time are different. Setting different delay forwarding times for different child nodes can be used to cope with bursty interferences of different durations. For example, if interference Int2 stops 1.5 milliseconds (ms) after the main node M1 sends a packet, the first delay time is 1 ms, and the second delay time is 2 ms, the child node S(1) may not be able to correctly receive the forwarded packet FPK(1), but may avoid the interference period of interference Int2 and correctly receive the forwarded packet FPK(3), thus making up for the lost audio data due to previous interference. Since each of the child nodes S(1) to S(N) includes an input buffer and / or a playback buffer for storing the audio data received by the child node and the audio data to be played respectively, as long as the data sequence number of the newly received audio data is still within the buffer range of the input buffer and / or the playback buffer, this audio data is still valid. Therefore, as long as the packets delayed and forwarded by the child node S(1) and / or S(3) still fall within the buffer range of the child node S(2), they will still be processed as valid data. In practical applications, the upper limit of the delay forwarding time of the child node can be determined according to the size of the input buffer and / or the playback buffer.

[0027] Figures 1 to 4 The embodiments in [description] use spatial diversity or time diversity to achieve the effect of child node packet forwarding, reduce consecutive packet losses at the child nodes in an interference environment, reduce stuttering during playback, increase the reliability of audio data transmission and improve the user experience.

[0028] Figure 5 is Figure 1Block diagram of the master node M1 and the slave nodes S(n1) and S(n2) of the wireless network 1. One of the slave nodes S(n1) and S(n2) can be the target slave node, and the other can be the forwarding slave node. For the sake of clear illustration, in the following discussion, the slave node S(n1) is the forwarding slave node, and the slave node S(n2) is the target slave node. The master node M1 can include a control module 52 and a transceiver 54 that are coupled to each other. The slave node S(n1) can include a control module 561 and a transceiver 581 that are coupled to each other, and the slave node S(n2) can include a control module 562 and a transceiver 582 that are coupled to each other. The control modules 52, 561, and 562 can be implemented by a combination of software, firmware, and hardware. According to the foregoing, the wireless network 1 can include N slave nodes, and the circuit settings and operation modes of each slave node can be similar to those of the slave nodes S(n1) and / or S(n2). The master node M1 can update and regulate the forwarding capabilities of each slave node in real time according to the reception conditions of each slave node, as Figure 6 shown in the operation method 600. Figure 6 is a flowchart of an operation method 600 of the master node M1. The method 600 includes steps S602 to S608 for setting the forwarding capabilities of N slave nodes. Any reasonable technical change or step adjustment belongs to the scope disclosed by the present invention. The details of steps S602 to S608 are described as follows:

[0029] Step S602: The transceiver of the master node sequentially sends M unicast packets to N slave nodes respectively;

[0030] Step S604: The control module of the master node respectively determines the M reception results of the M unicast packets;

[0031] Step S606: The control module of the master node determines the N forwarding capabilities of the N slave nodes according to the M reception results of the M unicast packets;

[0032] Step S608: The transceiver of the master node sends the N forwarding capabilities of the N slave nodes.

[0033] In step S602, the transceiver 54 of the master node M1 can adopt Figure 3The unicast method shown sends unicast packets to N child nodes in a loop. In step S604, the control module 52 of the master node M1 can determine the reception results of M unicast packets according to whether it has received the ACK information of M unicast packets. If the ACK information of the m-th unicast packet is received during the predetermined feedback period, the control module 52 of the master node M1 can determine that the reception result of the n-th child node is successful; if the ACK information of the m-th unicast packet is not received during the predetermined feedback period, the control module 52 of the master node M1 can determine that the reception result of the n-th child node is failed, where m is an integer from 1 to M, and n is an integer from 1 to N. The control module 52 of the master node M1 can sequentially determine the reception results of M unicast packets.

[0034] In step S606, the control module 52 of the master node M1 counts the information of M reception results, and then judges the reception situation of each child node, and judges its forwarding ability according to the reception situation of each child node. Only the child nodes with good reception conditions can have the forwarding ability. In some embodiments, the master node M1 can count the ACK information of a predetermined number of unicast packets to judge the reception situation of each child node. For example, the predetermined number can be N, and the master node M1 can count the ACK information of M unicast packets to judge the reception situation of N child nodes. If the reception result of the n-th child node is successful, the control module 52 of the master node M1 can determine that the reception situation of the n-th child node is good; if the reception result of the n-th child node is failed, the control module 52 of the master node M1 can determine that the reception situation of the n-th child node is poor. In other embodiments, the master node M1 can count the ACK information of unicast packets during a predetermined period to judge the reception situation of each child node. For example, the predetermined period can be 1 ms, and the control module 52 of the master node M1 can count the ACK information returned by the 1st to the N-th child nodes in 1 ms to judge the reception situation of N child nodes. If the number of ACK information of the n-th child node is greater than the ACK threshold value (for example, 3), the control module 52 of the master node M1 can determine that the reception situation of the n-th child node is good, and thus turn on the forwarding ability of the n-th child node to set the n-th child node as a forwarding child node; if the number of ACK information of the n-th child node is less than or equal to the ACK threshold value, the master node M1 can determine that the reception situation of the n-th child node is poor, and thus turn off the forwarding ability of the n-th child node to set the n-th child node as a non-forwarding child node. The control module 52 of the master node M1 can sequentially determine the N forwarding abilities of N child nodes.

[0035] In step S608, the transceiver 54 of the master node M1 sends the information (such as addresses) of all forwarding child nodes and non-forwarding child nodes to the N child nodes. The transceiver 54 of the master node M1 can carry the information of all forwarding child nodes and non-forwarding child nodes in a unicast packet and send it out. Or it can also be sent as separate packets in unicast, multicast or broadcast modes so that the N child nodes can set their forwarding capabilities accordingly. The master node M1 can dynamically update the information of the forwarding child nodes according to the real-time reception situation of the N child nodes, and the N child nodes will also dynamically turn on and off their respective forwarding capabilities according to the received packets, thereby flexibly switching the forwarding child nodes in a dynamic interference environment to cope with the interference on different paths.

[0036] When the forwarding capability of a child node is set to on, the child node can forward packets in either all-forwarding or selective-forwarding mode. All-forwarding can be that the child node forwards the unicast packet received from the master node M1 through Wi-Fi transmission as long as it receives it. Selective-forwarding can be to forward when a predetermined condition is met, rather than forwarding all the time. In some embodiments, selective-forwarding can be to turn on the forwarding capability after receiving a forwarding request, and the forwarding request can be sent by the interfered child node S(n2) or by the master node M1. The way for the child node S(n2) to control the forwarding capability can be as Figure 7 shown. Figure 7 is Figure 5 a flowchart of an operation method 700 of the child node S(n2) in

[0037] Step S702: The control module of the child node detects the packet reception situation of the child node in a predetermined time period;

[0038] Step S704: The control module of the child node determines whether the packet reception situation meets the forwarding request condition? If so, proceed to step S706; if not, proceed to step S708;

[0039] Step S706: The transceiver of the child node sends a forwarding request; proceed to step S702;

[0040] Step S708: The control module of the child node determines whether the packet reception situation meets the forwarding cancellation condition? If so, proceed to step S710; if not, proceed to step S702;

[0041] Step S710: The transceiver of the child node sends a forwarding cancellation; proceed to step S702.

[0042] In step S702, the control module 562 of the child node S(n2) continuously detects its own packet reception situation. The packet reception situation can be, but is not limited to, indicated by the number of unicast packets received within a predetermined time period or the change in the signal strength of several consecutive packets. In step S704, if the packet reception situation is indicated by the number of unicast packets received within a statistical predetermined time period, the forwarding request condition can be that the number of unicast packets received is less than the quantity threshold. For example, if the number of unicast packets received is 1 and the quantity threshold is 3, then the packet reception situation meets the forwarding request condition, and it can be considered that the child node S(n2) is affected by interference. Therefore, the transceiver 582 of the child node S(n2) sends a forwarding request (step S706). If the packet reception situation is indicated by the change in the signal strength of several consecutive packets, the forwarding request condition can be that the decrease amplitude of the signal strength of three consecutive packets is greater than the change threshold. If the decrease amplitude of the signal strength of three consecutive packets is greater than the change threshold, then the packet reception situation meets the forwarding request condition, and it can be considered that the child node S(n2) is affected by interference. Therefore, the transceiver 582 of the child node S(n2) sends a forwarding request (step S706) and continues to detect the packet reception situation of the child node S(n2) (S702). The specific content, format, and length of the forwarding request can be determined by the application layer itself. When another child node S(n1) with forwarding ability receives the forwarding request, the child node S(n1) will truly activate its forwarding ability.

[0043] In step S708, after sending the forwarding request, if the child node S(2) detects that the number of unicast packets received is greater than or equal to the quantity threshold, or the signal strength of the received packets returns to normal, then the packet reception situation meets the forwarding cancellation condition, and it can be considered that the interference near the child node S(n2) has been removed or reduced. Therefore, the transceiver 582 of the child node S(n2) sends a forwarding cancellation (step S710) and continues to detect the packet reception situation of the child node S(n2) (S702). The specific content, format, and length of the forwarding cancellation can be determined by the application layer itself. When another child node S(n1) with forwarding ability receives the forwarding cancellation, the child node S(n1) will stop forwarding. The condition for stopping forwarding can be to stop forwarding immediately after receiving the forwarding cancellation as mentioned in this example, or it can also be to continue forwarding a predetermined number of packets or after a predetermined period, and then the child node S(n1) actively stops forwarding.

[0044] Figure 8 is Figure 5 a flowchart of an operation method 800 of the forwarding child node S(n1) in, the method 800 includes steps S800 to S814 for controlling the forwarding ability of the child node S(n1). Any reasonable technical changes or step adjustments fall within the scope disclosed by the present invention. The detailed content of steps S800 to S814 is described as follows:

[0045] Step S800: The transceiver of the child node receives a unicast packet and the forwarding capability of the child node from the master node;

[0046] Step S802: The transceiver of the child node receives a packet from another child node;

[0047] Step S804: The control module of the child node determines whether the packet includes a forwarding request? If so, proceed to step S806; if not, proceed to step S810;

[0048] Step S806: The control module of the child node determines whether the forwarding capability is enabled? If so, proceed to step S808; if not, proceed to step S800;

[0049] Step S808: The transceiver of the child node sends a forwarded packet; proceed to step S800;

[0050] Step S810: The control module of the child node determines whether the packet includes a forwarding cancellation? If so, proceed to step S812; if not, proceed to step S800;

[0051] Step S812: The control module of the child node determines whether the forwarding capability is enabled? If so, proceed to step S814; if not, proceed to step S800;

[0052] Step S814: The transceiver of the child node stops sending the forwarded packet; proceed to step S800.

[0053] In step S800, the transceiver 581 of the child node S(n1) receives information of the forwarding child node and / or non-forwarding child node from the master node M1 to determine the forwarding capability of the child node S(n1). If the information of the forwarding child node matches the information of the child node S(n1), the control module 561 of the child node S(n1) will enable the forwarding capability of the child node S(n1); if the information of the forwarding child node does not match the information of the child node S(n1), the control module 561 of the child node S(n1) will disable the forwarding capability of the child node S(n1). For example, the transceiver 581 of the child node S(n1) can receive from the master node M1 the information of the forwarding child node including the address Add(S(n1)) of the child node S(n1), and it matches the address Add(S(n1)) of the child node S(n1). Therefore, the control module 561 of the child node S(n1) can determine that the forwarding capability of the child node S(n1) is enabled. The following will continue to discuss the subsequent steps based on the assumption that the forwarding capability of the child node S(n1) is enabled.

[0054] In step S802, the transceiver 581 of child node S(n1) receives a packet from child node S(n2), and in step S804, the control module 561 of child node S(n1) determines whether the packet includes a forwarding request. If a forwarding request is included, the control module 561 of child node S(n1) continues to determine whether the forwarding capability of child node S(n1) has been enabled (step S806). Since the forwarding capability of child node S(n1) has been enabled, the control module 561 of child node S(n1) enables the forwarding capability and sends a forwarded packet through the transceiver 581 of child node S(n1) (step S808), and then continues to detect new unicast packets and the forwarding capability (step S800) as well as packets sent by other child nodes S(n2) (step S802).

[0055] In step S804, if the packet received from child node S(n2) does not include a forwarding request, the control module 561 of child node S(n1) continues to determine whether the packet received from child node S(n2) includes a forwarding cancellation (step S810). If a forwarding cancellation is included, the control module 561 of child node S(n1) continues to determine whether the forwarding capability of child node S(n1) has been enabled (step S812). Since the forwarding capability of child node S(n1) has been enabled, the transceiver 581 of child node S(n1) stops forwarding packets and continues to detect new unicast packets and the forwarding capability (step S800) as well as packets sent by other child nodes S(n2) (step S802).

[0056] Although methods 800 and 700 are respectively illustrated by taking child nodes S(n1) and S(n2) as examples, the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, methods 700 and 800 may be respectively adopted for child nodes S(n1) and S(n2), that is, both child nodes S(n1) and S(n2) can be used as target child nodes or forwarding child nodes, and all N child nodes in the wireless network 1 can be used as target child nodes or forwarding child nodes. Forwarding can be performed by one or more child nodes, and the same forwarding packet on the same child node can also be forwarded once or multiple times. The number of forwarding nodes, the number of forwarding times, and the Wi-Fi rate used for forwarding packets can be calculated and selected according to the Wi-Fi throughput requirements of the audio data. For example, taking 24-bit, 48 kilohertz (kHz), 6-channel audio data as an example, the amount of data required for playing per millisecond is (48 * 24) / (8 * 6) = 864 bytes. The Wi-Fi throughput of the wireless network 1 needs to reach 864 * 8 * 1000 / 1000000 = 6.9 megabits per second (Mbps). Taking the length of a single data packet as 1500 bytes, the time interval for the master node M1 to send consecutive unicast packets is 1500 * 8 / 6.9 = 1736 us. For the convenience of calculation, it is assumed that when the master node M1 sends and the child node S(n1) forwards, both are sent at a Wi-Fi rate of 54 Mbps. Since the transmission of each forwarding packet requires a certain channel contention time to pre-contend for the channel, if the channel contention time is 130 us, the time required for the transmission of a single forwarding packet is 130 + 1500 * 8 / 54 = 352 us. Therefore, a single forwarding packet can be repeatedly forwarded 1736 / 352 = 4.9 times. If the master node M1 sends a single unicast packet once, there are still nearly 4 forwarding opportunities in total. Therefore, these 4 forwarding opportunities can be allocated to single or multiple child nodes.

[0057] Figures 1 to 8 The wireless network and operation method in [description] are applicable to an audio system. By circularly sending unicast packets to multiple child nodes to regulate the forwarding capabilities of each child node, and using spatial diversity or time diversity methods to achieve the effect of child node forwarding packets, continuous packet loss of child nodes is reduced in an interference environment, stuttering during playback is reduced, the reliability of audio data transmission is increased, and the user experience is improved.

[0058] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention shall fall within the scope covered by the present invention.

[0059]

Symbol Description

[0060] 1: Wireless network

[0061] 200: Packet forwarding method

[0062] 52, 561, 562: Control module

[0063] 54, 581, 582: Transceiver

[0064] 600, 700, 800: Operating method

[0065] S202 to S208, S602 to S608, S702 to S710, S800 to S814: Steps DA: Destination address

[0066] Add(S(1)) to Add(S(N)): Address

[0067] FPK(1), FPK(3): Forwarding packet

[0068] Int1, Int2: Interference

[0069] M1: Master node

[0070] PK(1) to PK(N + 1): Unicast packet

[0071] S(1) to S(N): Sub - node

[0072] S(1)-1 to S(N)-1, …, S(1)-(N + 1) to S(N)-(N + 1): Audio data

[0073] t: Time

[0074] t1 to t(N + 1): Moment

Claims

1. A packet forwarding method for a wireless network, the wireless network comprising a master node and N child nodes, where N is an integer greater than 1, the method comprising: The master node sends M unicast packets to the N child nodes in sequence, respectively, where M is a positive integer and M≥N; A forwarding sub-node among the N sub-nodes receives the M unicast packets; The forwarding subnode generates and sends a forwarding packet according to a unicast packet in the M unicast packets; as well as The target child node among the N child nodes receives the forwarding packet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: Each of the M unicast packets carries data of the N child nodes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein: The forwarding packet includes the data of the target child node.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The master node determines M reception results of the M unicast packets respectively; The master node determines N forwarding capabilities of the N child nodes according to the M reception results of the N child nodes; as well as The master node sends the N forwarding capabilities of the N child nodes.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: The target sub-node detects the packet reception status of the target sub-node in a predetermined period; as well as If the packet reception condition satisfies the forwarding request condition, the target child node sends a forwarding request.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: The forwarding sub-node receives the N forwarding capabilities of the N sub-nodes, wherein the forwarding capability of the forwarding sub-node is enabled; and The forwarding subnode receives the forwarding request; The forwarding sub-node generating and sending the forwarding packet according to the unicast packet in the M unicast packets includes: after receiving the forwarding request, the forwarding sub-node sending the forwarding packet.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising: A second forwarding subnode among the N subnodes receives the N forwarding capabilities of the N subnodes, wherein the forwarding capability of the second forwarding subnode is turned off; The second forwarding sub-node receives the forwarding request; and After receiving the forwarding request, the second forwarding subnode does not send the forwarding packet.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein: The forwarding subnode generates and sends the forwarding packet according to the unicast packet in the M unicast packets, including: After the forwarding packet is generated and the first delay time has passed, the forwarding subnode sends the forwarding packet.

9. A child node, comprising: Control module; as well as a transceiver, coupled to the control module, for receiving a unicast packet from a master node and the forwarding capability of the child node; Wherein, the control module is used to generate a forwarding packet according to the unicast packet; as well as The control module is used for causing the transceiver to send the forwarding packet at least according to the forwarding capability.

10. A master node coupled to N sub-nodes, the master node comprising: Control module; as well as A transceiver, coupled to the control module, for sequentially sending the M unicast packets to the N child nodes respectively; Wherein, the control module determines M reception results of the M unicast packets respectively; The control module is used to determine the N forwarding capabilities of the N child nodes according to the M reception results of the M unicast packets; The transceiver is used to send the N forwarding capabilities of the N sub-nodes; N is an integer greater than 1; and M is a positive integer and M≥N.

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