Method and device for calming transmissions in a communications network

Abstract

A coordinator communication device in a communication network determines that a time period should begin during which only the coordinator communication device will have transmission opportunities. The time period comprises a plurality of time cycles, each time cycle i) beginning with the coordinator communication device sending a beacon signal, and ii) including a transmission opportunity following the beacon signal. The transmission opportunity is for the coordinator communication device. The coordinator communication device sends one or more signals to subsequent communication devices in the communication network to request that the subsequent communication devices refrain from transmitting during the time period. During one or more transmission opportunities of the time period, the coordinator communication device sends one or more time-sensitive packets.