Method for managing a communication network, associated communication network and entity

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing a communication network (10a) comprising a main gateway (12) and a plurality of entities (14N + 1, 16N + 1, 18N + 1, 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3), the method comprising a total downward discovery phase comprising the following steps: - transmission of a first level discovery radio message by the main gateway, - in case of reception of the first level discovery message by a receiving entity, transmission of a first level response radio message by this receiving entity, then - transmission of a second level discovery radio message by each first level entity, - in case of reception of the second level discovery message by a receiving entity, transmission of a second level response message by the receiving entity, and - transmission of a report radio message by each first level entity.The invention also relates to a communication network and an entity of such a network. Figure for abstract: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing a communication network, associated communication network and entity Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of communication networks.

[0002] It finds a particularly advantageous application for the management of urban services within the framework of a smart city, such as for example for the management of public lighting in a district of a city.

[0003] It relates more particularly to a method for managing a communication network, a communication network and an entity of a communication network. State of the art

[0004] Smart cities (or "smart cities" according to the Anglo-Saxon term) are cities integrating technologies, such as communication networks, allowing urban services to be managed and their quality to be improved.

[0005] Most communication networks implemented in such a context are based on unidirectional signal transmission, starting from a main gateway to the sensor forming the end of the communication network and providing the associated service.

[0006] The LoRaWAN (for “L ong- R âge W ide- A rea N etwork”) radio communication protocol is an example of such a communication network used in the context of smart cities.

[0007] However, in such communication networks based solely on downlink signal transmission, the communication channels are often very congested, leading to a very slow transmission rate. This also generates significant losses due to these signal collisions in these channels.

[0008] Furthermore, such communication networks necessarily require connection to a long-range external network (such as an internet network). A disruption of this long-range external network then leads to the malfunctioning of the associated urban services, which can have restrictive consequences for users. Presentation of the invention

[0009] The present invention proposes to improve the management of a communication network by allowing local operation, that is to say without connection to a long-range external network and with low transmission powers.

[0010] More particularly, the invention proposes a method for managing a radio communication network comprising a main gateway and a plurality of entities capable of communicating with each other and with the gateway via at least one radio communication channel, the method comprising a total downward discovery phase comprising the following steps: - transmission of a first-level discovery radio message by the main gateway, the first-level discovery radio message being designed to trigger a first-level response message from at least one entity, - in the event of reception of the first-level discovery message by a so-called receiving entity, transmission of a first-level response radio message by this receiving entity, the response message being designed to indicate, to the main gateway, on the one hand, that the receiving entity has a direct communication facility with the main gateway and, on the other hand, an identifier of the receiving entity, the receiving entity then being qualified as a first-level entity, then - transmitting a second-level discovery radio message by each first-level entity, the second-level discovery message being designed to trigger a response message from at least one entity not qualifying as a first-level entity, - in the event of receipt of the second-level discovery message by an entity, called the receiver, not qualified as a first-level entity, transmission of a second-level response message by the receiver entity, the second-level response message being designed to indicate, to the first-level entity transmitting the first-level discovery message, on the one hand, that the receiver entity has a direct communication channel with the first-level entity, and, on the other hand, an identifier of the receiver entity, the receiver entity then being qualified as a second-level entity, - transmission of a radio report message by each first-level entity, the radio report message being designed to indicate, to the main gateway, the identifier of each second-level entity capable of communicating with said first-level entity.

[0011] Thus, advantageously according to the invention, thanks to a step-by-step implementation, between entities of successive ranks, the total discovery phase is optimized. In addition, the local implementation, by a transmission of radiofrequency signals, makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the total discovery. This implementation does not require the use of a long-range connection, nor management by a remote server which would risk causing saturation of certain communication channels during simultaneous transmissions of the signals.

[0012] Other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the method for managing a communication network according to the invention, taken individually or according to all technically possible combinations, are the following: - the total descending discovery phase further comprises, within the framework of iterations of rank n+1 with n an integer greater than or equal to 2, the following steps:

[0013] al) transmitting a level n+1 discovery radio message by each level n entity, the level n+1 discovery message being designed to trigger a response message from at least one entity not being qualified as an entity of level less than or equal to n,

[0014] bl) in the event of reception of the discovery message of level n+1 by an entity, called the receiver, not qualified as an entity of level lower than n, transmission of a response message of level n+1 by the receiver entity, the response message of level n+1 being designed to indicate, to the entity of level n transmitting the discovery message of level n+1, on the one hand, that the receiver entity has a direct communication channel with the entity of level n, and, on the other hand, an identifier of the receiver entity, the receiver entity then being qualified as an entity of level n + 1,

[0015] cl) transmission of a radio report message by each entity of level n, the radio report message being designed to be relayed by the entities of level lower than n until reaching the main gateway and indicating, to the main gateway, the identifier of each entity of level n+1 capable of communicating with said entity of level n; - a partial discovery phase is also provided comprising steps of:

[0016] a2) transmission of a level k discovery radio message by any entities and / or the main gateway, the discovery message of level k being designed to trigger a response message from at least one entity not being qualified as an entity of level less than or equal to k,

[0017] b2) in case of reception of the discovery message of level k by an entity, called receiving entity, not qualified as a level entity lower than k-1, transmission of a level k response message by the receiving entity, the level k response message being designed to indicate, to the level k-1 entity transmitting the level k discovery message, on the one hand, that the receiving entity has a direct communication channel with the level k-1 entity, and, on the other hand, an identifier of the receiving entity, the receiving entity then being qualified as a level k entity,

[0018] c2) transmission of a radio report message by the level k-1 entity, the message reporting radio being designed to be relayed by entities below k-1 until it reaches the main gateway and indicates, to the main gateway, the identifier of the level k entity capable of communicating with said level k-1 entity; - a bottom-up discovery phase of a new entity is also planned, including stages of:

[0019] a3) transmission of a radio presence message by the new entity to the main gateway and the plurality of entities, the presence message being configured to trigger a response message from at least one of the main gateway and the plurality of entities,

[0020] b3) then, in the event of receipt of the presence message by the main gateway or one of the plurality of entities, implementing the partial discovery phase; - a response message is sent only when the presence message has a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 10 decibels; - a response message is sent only when the discovery message has a signal-to-noise ratio greater than or equal to 10 decibels; - a horizontal discovery phase is provided comprising steps of:

[0021] a4) transmission of a level k discovery radio message by any one level k entities called level k transmitters, the level k discovery message being designed to trigger a response message from at least one other level k entity,

[0022] b4) in case of reception of the discovery message of level k by the other entity of level k, called level k receiver, transmission of a level k response message by the receiving entity, the level k response message being designed to indicate, to the level k sending entity, on the one hand, that the level k receiving entity has a direct communication channel with the level k sending entity, and, on the other hand, an identifier of the receiving entity, the level k receiving and sending entities then being qualified as level k relay entities,

[0023] c4) transmission of a radio report message by the receiving entity of level k, the radio report message being designed to be relayed by the transmitting entity of level k and entities of level lower than k-1 until reaching the main gateway and indicating, to the main gateway, the identifiers of the transmitting and receiving entities of level k able to communicate together; - the main gateway has a list of authorized entity identifiers, called a white list, and provision is made, in the total downward discovery phase, in the partial discovery phase or in the horizontal discovery phase, for a verification, by the main gateway, of the membership of each identifier received in the white list; - the main gateway has a list of identifiers of prohibited entities, called a blacklist, and provision is made, in the total downward discovery phase, in the partial discovery phase or in the horizontal discovery phase, for a step of excluding the entity concerned if the associated identifier received belongs to the blacklist; - each entity, of level k, has a list of entities of higher level than it with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel; - each entity, of level k, has a list of entities of lower level than it with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel; - each entity, of level k, has a list of entities of the same level with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel; - each level k entity comprises a communication channel configured to allow the transmission and reception of a message with a level k-1 entity and a communication channel configured to allow the transmission and reception of a message with a level k+1 entity; - at least one entity of level k comprises a communication channel configured to allow the transmission and reception of a message with another entity of level k; - the main gateway has a plurality of neighborhood tables comprising, for each entity of the communication network, a list of entities with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel; - a step of transmitting the message in the communication network is provided on the basis of the neighborhood tables available to the main gateway; and - for the transmission of the message in the communication network, for each entity level, the entity implementing the transmission of the message is selected randomly.

[0024] The invention also relates to a communication network comprising a main gateway, a plurality of entities and a control module configured to implement a management method as introduced previously.

[0025] Other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the communication network according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are the following: - each entity comprises a communication unit configured to receive and transmit a message according to a first communication channel and to receive and transmit a message according to a second communication channel distinct from the first communication channel; - the communication unit of each entity comprises at least two receiver modules configured, each respectively, to receive a message according to the first communication channel and to receive a message according to the second communication channel and at least one transmitter module configured to transmit on the first communication channel and the second communication channel alternately; - each entity comprises a control unit configured to store a neighborhood table comprising a list of entities with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel and to control the communication unit according to the neighborhood table; and - the control module comprises a storage unit storing the white list, the black list and at least one neighborhood table comprising a list of entities with which each entity can communicate via a direct communication channel.

[0026] The invention finally relates to an entity of a communication network comprising:

[0027] - a communication unit configured to receive and transmit a message according to a first communication channel and for receiving and transmitting a message according to a second communication channel distinct from the first communication channel, and

[0028] - a control unit configured to store a neighborhood table including a list of entities with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel and to control the communication unit according to the neighborhood table.

[0029] Other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the entity according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are the following: - the communication unit comprises at least two receiver modules configured, each respectively, to receive a message according to the first communication channel and to receive a message according to the second communication channel and at least one transmitter module configured to transmit a message on the first communication channel and the second communication channel alternately; - the control unit is configured to be placed in a full downlink discovery state, the communication unit being configured to receive a discovery radio message, to transmit a response message and to transmit a report message; - the control unit is configured to be placed in a full downlink discovery state, the communication unit being configured to transmit a discovery radio message, to receive a response message and to receive a report message; - the control unit is configured to be placed in a partial discovery state, the communication unit being configured to receive a discovery radio message, to transmit a response message and to transmit a report message; - the control unit is configured to be placed in a partial discovery state, the communication unit being configured to transmit a discovery radio message, to receive a response message and to receive a report message; - the control unit is configured to be placed in an upward discovery state, the communication unit being configured to transmit a presence radio message; - the control unit is configured to be placed in an upward discovery state, the communication unit being configured to receive a presence radio message; - the control unit is configured to be placed in a horizontal discovery state, the communication unit being configured to receive a discovery radio message, to transmit a response message and to transmit a report message; - the control unit is configured to be placed in a horizontal discovery state, the communication unit being configured to transmit a discovery radio message, to receive a response message and to receive a report message; - the control unit is configured to be placed in a communication state, the communication unit being configured to transmit a communication message to another entity or a main gateway of the communication network; and - means for measuring data external to the entity are provided, the control unit being configured to transmit data acquired by the measuring means in the communication network.

[0030] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Detailed description of the invention

[0031] The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented.

[0032] [Fig. 1] represents a set of communication networks in accordance with the invention,

[0033] [Fig.2] is a detailed schematic representation of a communication network according to the invention,

[0034] [Fig.3] is a detailed schematic representation of a main gateway included in the communication network of [Fig.2],

[0035] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of an entity included in the communication network of [Fig.2],

[0036] [Fig.5] represents, in the form of a flowchart, a total downward discovery phase included in a method for managing the communication network of [Fig.2],

[0037] [Fig.6] represents, in the form of a flowchart, a partial discovery phase included in a method for managing the communication network of [Fig.2],

[0038] [Fig.7] represents, in the form of a flowchart, a horizontal discovery phase included in a method for managing the communication network of [Fig.2], and

[0039] [Fig.8] represents, in the form of a flowchart, an ascending discovery phase included in a method for managing the communication network of [Fig.2].

[0040] The present invention aims to improve the management of a communication network 10a, 10b, 10c included in a set 1 of communication networks. As shown in [Fig.l], this set 1 of communication networks here comprises three communication networks 10a, 10b, 10c configured to communicate with each other via communication channels 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0041] [Fig. 2] shows an example of the communication network 10a (the communication networks 10b, 10c have a structure similar to that shown in [Fig. 2] for the communication network 10a). The following description presents the architecture of the communication network 10a, the characteristics of the communication networks 10b, 10c being similar.

[0042] The communication network 10a comprises a main gateway 12 and a plurality of entities 14N + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3. Each of the entities 14n + i, 16n + i, 18n + i, 14n + 2, 18n + 2, 14N + 3 of the plurality of entities is capable of communicating with another entity 14N + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3 of this plurality of entities and with the main gateway 12.

[0043] The main gateway 12 forms the head of the communication network 10a. This main gateway 12 is firstly configured to communicate with a remote server (not shown, external to the communication network 10a), for example by means of an internet connection.

[0044] Then, the main gateway 12 of the communication network 10a is also able to communicate with the other main gateways of the communication networks 10b, 10c, via the communication channels 2a, 2c. The communication between the main gateways of the different communication networks 10a, 10b, 10c is carried out for example by means of a communication radio frequency (i.e. for which the frequency of the propagating electromagnetic field is less than 300 GHz). Alternatively, communication between the main gateways of the different communication networks 10a, 10b, 10c can be carried out via a remote server.

[0045] Finally, the main gateway 12 is able to communicate with the entities 14N + i, 16N + b 18N + i, 14n + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3 of the plurality of entities. For the entities for which the communication is direct, each communication between the main gateway 12 and one of the entities 14N + b 16N + b 18N + i is carried out via at least one radiofrequency communication channel 13. Advantageously according to the invention, the radiofrequency communication is carried out here at a frequency of 433 MHz (MegaHertz). As will be described in more detail later, the use of this frequency allows each entity 14N + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3 to be able to "listen" on two communication channels simultaneously, without causing signal collisions in the communication network.Furthermore, the use of this frequency allows the use of communication network 1 in parallel with other communication networks, such as those equipped with the LoRaWAN radio communication protocol, without this hindering their respective operation.

[0046] The main gateway 12 therefore makes it possible to act as a relay between the entities of the communication network 10a and the elements (other communication network, remote server) which are located outside this communication network 10a.

[0047] In practice, the main gateway 12 comprises a control unit 12a provided with a processor 12b and at least one memory 12c ([Fig.3]). The control unit 12a also comprises a set of functional modules, each of which is for example implemented by means of computer program instructions stored by the memory 12c of the control unit 12a and designed to implement the module concerned when these instructions are executed by the processor 12b of the control unit 12a.

[0048] In the context of the present invention, the plurality of entities 14N + b 16N + b 18N + b 14n + 2, 18N + 2, 14n + 3 can be classified into different categories.

[0049] First of all, the different entities of the plurality of entities 14N + b 16N + b 18N + i, 14n + 2, 18N + 2, 14n + 3 are distinguished according to their rank of communication with the main gateway 12. Considering that the main gateway 12 has a rank N, and as will be explained in detail later, the entities 14N + b 16N + b 18N + i capable of communicating directly with the main gateway are called “first-level entities” (they are represented with the index N+1 in [Fig. 2]). Then, the entities capable of communicating directly with these first-level entities are called "second-level entities" (they are represented with the index N+2 in [Fig.2]). Finally, the entities capable of communicating directly with these second-level entities are called "third-level entities" (they are represented with the index N+3 in [Fig.2]).

[0050] Alternatively, the number of entity levels may be different from three (for example strictly less than three, for example two, or strictly greater than three, for example four or five). Generally, it will then be possible to define entities of level k with respect to the main gateway 12.

[0051] Furthermore, the plurality of entities is also classified according to the type of entities considered. Here, three different types of entities are distinguished: 16N+1 entities called “repeaters”, 14N + b 14N + 2, 14N + 3 entities called “final sensors” and 18n + i, 18N + 2 entities called “mixed”.

[0052] The entities 16N + i called “repeaters” are configured to receive and transmit a transmitted message. In other words, as their name indicates, these entities are configured to repeat (amplifying it or not) the message that they receive in the direction of another entity of the communication network 10a or of the main gateway 12.

[0053] By “message” is meant in this description a computer frame including in particular header information and the data to be transmitted.

[0054] In the example of [Fig.2], the entity 16N + i is a first level “repeater” entity.

[0055] The entities 14N + b 14N + 2, 14N + 3 called “final sensors” are sensors positioned at the end of the communication network 10a. In this description, the term “final sensor” means a final device, positioned at the end of the communication network 10a. This final device comprises actuation devices or measuring devices or a combination of actuation devices and measuring devices.

[0056] These entities 14N + b 14N + 2, 14N + 3 are configured to receive the message transmitted by radiofrequency communication by the other entities of the communication network 10a and / or by the main gateway 12. In other words, these entities 14N + b 14N + 2, 14N + 3 are not configured to repeat the transmitted message (they only operate in reception).

[0057] Here, the communication network 10a comprises several entities 14N + i called first-level “final sensors”, several entities 14N + 2 called second-level “final sensors” and several entities 14N + 3 called third-level “final sensors”.

[0058] In practice, in the example of the application to the management of public lighting in a district of a city, the final sensors correspond for example to the actuators which will make it possible to control light-emitting diodes allowing this public lighting.

[0059] The communication network 10a also comprises entities 18N + b 18N + 2 called “mixed”. These “mixed” entities 18N + b 18N + 2 have characteristics similar to the entities called “final sensors” (i.e. they are not configured, initially, to repeat the transmitted message).

[0060] Here, the communication network 10a comprises first-level “mixed” entities 18N + i and second-level “mixed” entities 18N + 2.

[0061] Finally, each entity 14N + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3 of the communication network 10a is qualified by its rank with respect to the main gateway 12 and by its type.

[0062] It should be noted that the number of each entity of each rank and of each type considered here for the communication network 10a is given for illustrative purposes. The present invention applies in the same way with a communication network having a different number of entities of each rank and of each type. For example, the communication network could comprise a second-level “repeater” type entity.

[0063] In practice, each entity 14N + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3 of the communication network 10a comprises a communication unit 15a and a control unit 15d. [Fig.4] schematically represents an example of the structure of the entity 16N + i (the other entities having a similar structure).

[0064] The communication unit 15a is configured to receive and transmit a message according to a first communication channel C1 and to receive and transmit a message according to a second communication channel C2. This then means that each entity 14n + b 16N + i, 18N + b 14n + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3 is capable of “listening” on two communication channels simultaneously.

[0065] For this, the communication unit 15a then comprises at least two receiver modules 15b, each configured respectively to receive a message according to the first communication channel C1 and to receive a message according to the second communication channel C2. The communication unit 15a also comprises at least one transmitter module 15c configured to transmit a message on the first communication channel C1 or on the second communication channel C2.

[0066] The control unit 15d comprises a processor 15e and at least one memory 15f.

[0067] Each entity 14N + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3 also comprises means for measuring external data (to the entity). The measured data can then be transmitted in the communication network 10a. This external data is for example location data concerning the entities of the network.

[0068] The present invention relates more particularly to the management of the communication network 10a. It aims in particular to allow local operation of the communication network 10a, that is to say that all the functionalities of the communication network 10a are accessible thanks to the network itself alone, without a long-range connection (for example without an internet connection).

[0069] Generally speaking, the management of the communication network 10a makes it possible to establish the architecture of the communication network by discovering the entities that constitute it and by qualifying them. The management of the communication network 10a also concerns the transmission of signals between the different entities of this network. This management finally concerns an update of the communication network, by the discovery of new entities or the rediscovery of previously active entities that were no longer part of the communication network.

[0070] The method for managing the communication network 10a according to the invention then comprises different phases described below and represented in FIGS. 5 to 8. The different phases of this method described below are implemented by the processor 12b of the control unit 12a.

[0071] [Fig.5] is a flowchart representing an example of a Down phase of total downward discovery.

[0072] In this description, “discovery” means a phase during which each of the entities of the communication network is qualified, i.e. its rank (in relation to the main gateway 12) is determined.

[0073] Here, the term “total discovery” means the first discovery of the entities implemented in the communication network 10a. In other words, the total discovery phase corresponds to the initial discovery of the entities of the communication network 10a, prior to the operation of this network.

[0074] Finally, a so-called “downward” discovery phase is a discovery phase initiated by the main gateway 12.

[0075] As shown in [Fig.5], the Down phase of total downward discovery begins with a step E0. During this step, the main gateway 12 receives a list of identifiers of authorized entities, called a white list. The main gateway 12 also receives a list of identifiers of prohibited entities, called a black list.

[0076] The white list and the black list are for example transmitted by the remote server, by means of a wired or radio frequency connection. Alternatively, the main gateway 12 can receive the white list and the black list via a connection Bluetooth Low Energy (or BLE for “Bluetooth Low Energy” according to the commonly used acronym of Anglo-Saxon origin).

[0077] At the end of step E0, the main gateway 12 stores the white list and the black list in the memory 12c of its control unit 12a.

[0078] The Down phase of total descending discovery then continues in step E2 during which the main gateway 12 has a current list listing all of the entities making up the communication network 10a. Initially (i.e. at the start of the implementation of the Down phase of total descending discovery), this current list is empty.

[0079] The Down phase of total ascending discovery then comprises a step E4 of initializing a value N. This value N is associated with the current entity which initiates the current round of discovery. In other words, this value N corresponds to the rank of the entity which initiates the current round of discovery.

[0080] For example, as indicated previously, the Down phase of total descending discovery is initiated by the main gateway 12. The initial N value therefore corresponds to the rank of the initial gateway 12.

[0081] Then, in step E6, the entity of rank N transmits a first-level discovery radiofrequency message (or radio message). This first-level discovery radio message is transmitted to all the entities present in the vicinity of the entity of rank N. This radio message is therefore transmitted in “Broadcast” mode, i.e. without discrimination of entities.

[0082] The transmission of this first-level discovery radio message aims to enable the discovery of all the first-level entities of the communication network 10a. The first level concerns the rank of entities relative to the rank of the entity that initiates the discovery here. In other words, the first level here concerns a rank below the rank of the entity that transmits the discovery radio message during step E6. Here, the entity that initiates the discovery is the entity of rank N, the notation associated with the first level is then “N+1”.

[0083] This first-level discovery radio message is then designed to trigger a first-level response message (with respect to the rank N of the entity that initiates the discovery) from at least one so-called receiver entity. In step E8, the first-level discovery radio message is therefore received by at least one receiver entity (present in the vicinity of the rank N entity).

[0084] The Down phase of total descending discovery then continues with step E10. During this step, each receiving entity, which has received the first-level discovery radio message, evaluates a signal-to-noise ratio associated with this received first-level discovery radio message. This evaluation makes it possible to ensure a low risk of loss of communication during the transmission of the message.

[0085] If this signal-to-noise ratio is less than a threshold value, the total downward discovery Down phase resumes at step E8.

[0086] On the other hand, if, for at least one receiving entity, the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than this threshold value, the total downward discovery Down phase continues at step E12. The threshold value is for example here of the order of 10 decibels (dB).

[0087] In step E12, the receiving entity concerned then transmits a first-level response radio message, via a first communication channel. This first-level response radio message is designed to indicate to the entity of rank N that the receiving entity has the ability to communicate directly with it. This first-level response radio message also includes an identifier of the receiving entity. Each receiving entity is referred to as a “first-level” receiving entity (i.e., the first level below entity N).

[0088] In the case where several receiving entities are involved, the associated first-level response radio messages are not sent simultaneously in order to avoid collisions in the network. The order of transmission by each receiving entity is for example random.

[0089] Thus, in the example of [Fig.2], in step E12, the entities 14N + b 16N + b 18N + i each receive the first-level discovery radio message. Each then responds to it by transmitting a first-level response radio message, via the communication channel 13. For each entity 14N + b 16N + b 18N + b the first-level response radio message comprises the identifier associated with it (for example respectively 14N + b 16N + b 18N + i).

[0090] The Down phase of total descending discovery continues in step E14. During this step, the entity of rank N receives the first level response radio message (emitted by each of the receiving entities in step E12). This entity of rank N therefore receives the information concerning the identifier of each receiving entity and on the possibility of direct communication between them.

[0091] Thus, at the end of step E14, the entity of rank N has a discovery list, listing all the entities having responded to the first-level discovery radio message. In other words, the entity of rank N has a discovery list listing the entities qualified as first-level.

[0092] As shown in [Fig.5], the Down phase of total downward discovery continues in step E16. During this step, the entity of rank N transmits a control radio message to all the qualified first-level entities. The control message is transmitted, via the first communication channel (by which each receiving entity transmitted the first-level response radio message during step E12). The radio control message is sent here in “Broadcast” mode, i.e. to all qualified first-level entities.

[0093] This control radio message is then received by the first-level entities (step E18). If one of the entities receiving the first-level discovery radio message (in step E8) does not receive the control radio message, this means that the entity of rank N has not listed this receiving entity as a first-level entity. The Down phase of total descending discovery resumes in step E10 (the first-level entity not having received the control radio message again transmitting a first-level response radio message). Steps E8 to E18 are repeated (under the initiative of the entity of rank N) until all entities receiving the first-level discovery radio message are listed as a first-level entity by the entity of rank N.

[0094] At the end of this loop of steps, the entity of rank N therefore has a discovery list listing all the first-level entities. The current list is therefore updated from the discovery list obtained.

[0095] As shown in [Fig.5], the Down phase of total descending discovery continues in step E20. During this step, the control unit 12a determines whether other entities, other than the entity of rank N and the qualified first-level entities, are present.

[0096] If this is the case, the Down phase of total descending discovery continues at step E22 during which the value N is overwritten by the value N+1. This means that there are no more first-level entities to discover but that it is necessary to initiate the discovery phase for entities of other ranks (for example second level, third level, k-th level). The Down phase of total descending discovery then resumes at step E6 to allow the discovery of entities of other ranks.

[0097] Steps E6 to E22 are therefore repeated, iteratively according to the rank of the entity which initiates the discovery, to enable all the entities present to be discovered, by listing them according to their rank.

[0098] In the example of [Fig.2], the entities 14N + b 16N + b 18N + i are qualified as first-level entities during the first loop of steps E6 to E22. Then, during a second loop of steps E6 to E22, these entities 14N + b 16N + b 18N + i in turn initiate the discovery to qualify the entities 14N + 2, 18N + 2 as second-level entities. Then again, during a third loop of steps E6 to E22, the entities 14N + 2, 18N + 2 initiate the discovery to qualify the entities 14N + 3 as third-level entities.

[0099] In practice, entities of the same level (for example, first-level entities 14N + b 16N + b 18N + i) do not initiate discovery simultaneously (in order to avoid signal collisions). The higher-ranking entity (for example, here the N-ranking entity) imposes the discovery sequence of the lower-ranking entities. For example, the main gateway 12 imposes that the entity 16N + i initiates, first, the discovery phase of other entities, then the entity 18N + b

[0100] Alternatively, the discovery sequence is implemented randomly.

[0101] Furthermore, it should be noted that the entities called "final sensors" are associated, at most, with two entities of higher rank (and of the same rank). In other words, during the discovery sequences, if an entity called "final sensor" has already responded to the requests of two different entities of higher rank (but of the same rank), it will ignore the following requests.

[0102] When, in step E20, all the entities have been qualified, the Down phase of total descending discovery continues in step E30. During this step, each entity of level i transmits, to the entities of rank i-1 which are associated with it, the list listing the entities of lower ranks. By "entities which are associated with it", we mean the entities of rank i-1 with which the entity of rank i can communicate directly. This involves a transmission of the list of entities and their qualification in so-called "Multicast" mode, that is to say with a particular group of entities (here the entities in direct communication with the entity concerned).

[0103] For example, by way of illustration, the second-level entity 18N + 2 transmits to the first-level entity 16N + i with which it communicates directly, the list of third-level entities 14N + 3 that it has qualified.

[0104] Finally, the highest ranking entity, here in practice the main gateway 12, receives a complete list listing all the entities that responded during the Down phase of total descending discovery (as well as their qualification). The main gateway 12 also receives the communication link between the different entities that responded during this phase.

[0105] In step E32, the highest-ranking entity (here the main gateway 12) compares the complete list, obtained at the end of step E30, with the white list. In other words, the main gateway 12 verifies that all the entities identified in the complete list are authorized entities. All the entities present in the complete list but not in the white list are not considered authorized. They are then automatically listed in the black list and are excluded from the communication network 10a.

[0106] All entities present in the full list and the white list are part of the communication network 10a. The main gateway 12 then establishes a final list listing all the entities included in the communication network 10a. Thus, in the example of [Fig.2], the final list lists the entities 14N + b 16N + b 18N + i, 14n + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3 as elements of the communication network 10a. This final list is stored in the memory 12c of the control unit 12a of the main gateway 12.

[0107] Furthermore, the main gateway 12 also has, for each entity in its network, information concerning the entities (of lower and higher rank) in direct communication with the entity concerned. Thus, for each entity in the communication network 10a, a neighborhood table comprising a list of the entities with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel is established. In the example of [Fig.2], the neighborhood table of the entity 18N + 2 indicates that this entity 18N + 2 is in direct communication, via a first communication channel, with the entity 16N + i and, via a second communication channel, with entities 14N + 3.

[0108] The memory 12c of the control unit 12a of the main gateway 12 stores all of the neighborhood tables of the entities included in the communication network 10a.

[0109] Then, in step E34, the main gateway 12 initiates the cascade transmission, according to the rank of the entities, of this final list. Thus, an entity of rank N transmits the final list to the entities of rank N+1 which are associated with it (i.e. with which it is in direct communication). Each entity of rank N+1 confirms by a reception message the reception of this final list and compares the final list to the discovery list which it obtained at the end of step E20 in order to update it. Then, in turn, each entity of rank N+1 transmits the final list to the entities of rank N+2 which are associated with it.

[0110] Finally, at the end of step E34, and therefore of the Down phase of total descending discovery, the architecture of the communication network 10a, with the entities that it comprises, is known. In addition, each entity of this communication network 10a knows the entities (of higher rank and lower rank) with which it can communicate directly, via a direct communication channel. Each entity of the communication network 10a therefore stores a neighborhood table listing the list of entities (of higher rank and lower rank) with which it can communicate directly.

[0111] Finally, as indicated previously, and in order to allow the management of the communication network 10a (in particular for the transmission of signals through this network), the main gateway 12, as the head of the communication network 10a, stores all of the neighborhood tables of the entities of the network.

[0112] According to an alternative embodiment, step E0 may be optional. No list of authorized or excluded entities is provided to the main gateway at the start of discovery phase. These lists are then built as the total top-down discovery phase is implemented.

[0113] According to another embodiment variant, only the white list can be provided to the main gateway in step E0 (the black list being constructed as the total downward discovery phase is implemented).

[0114] The Down phase of total descending discovery is the longest discovery phase which makes it possible to determine all of the entities forming the communication network 10a. Advantageously according to the invention, this total discovery is optimized because it is carried out step by step according to the ranks of the entities. In addition, the local implementation, by a transmission of radiofrequency signals, makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the total discovery. This implementation does not require the use of a long-range connection, nor management by a remote server which would risk causing saturation of certain communication channels during simultaneous transmissions of the signals.

[0115] It should be noted that the total top-down discovery phase is designed in such a way that if an entity is assigned two different ranks by two separate entities, the higher rank is associated with the entity concerned.

[0116] After the Down phase of total descending discovery, the method for managing the communication network 10a comprises other discovery phases allowing regular optimization of the architecture of the communication network.

[0117] In particular, the management method comprises a Partial Discovery Part phase. [Fig.6] is a flowchart representing an example of a Partial Discovery Part phase.

[0118] This Discovery Part phase is also a descending discovery phase. It is for example initiated by an entity of rank k. The Partial Discovery Part phase therefore begins at step E50, during which the entity of rank k initiates the partial discovery, so as to qualify an entity of rank k+1.

[0119] For this, in step E52 (similar to step E6 described previously), the entity of rank k transmits a radiofrequency message (or radio message) of discovery of level k+1. This radio discovery message of level k+1 is transmitted to all the entities present in the vicinity of the entity of level k. This radio message is therefore transmitted in “Broadcast” mode.

[0120] The transmission of this level k+1 discovery radio message aims to enable the discovery of a level k+1 entity of the communication network 10a. This level k+1 discovery radio message is then designed to trigger a level k+1 response message from at least one so-called receiving entity. In step E54 (as in step E8 described previously), the level k+1 discovery radio message is therefore received by at least one receiving entity (present near the level k entity).

[0121] The Partial Discovery Part phase then continues with step E56. During this step, as during step E10, the receiving entity, which received the level k+1 discovery radio message, evaluates a signal-to-noise ratio associated with this received level k+1 discovery radio message. If this signal-to-noise ratio is less than a threshold value, the Partial Discovery Part phase resumes at step E54.

[0122] On the other hand, if the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than this threshold value, the Partial Discovery Part phase continues at step E58. Here too, the threshold value is, for example, of the order of 10 decibels (dB).

[0123] In step E58, the receiving entity concerned then transmits a level k+1 response radio message, via a first communication channel. This level k+1 response radio message is designed to indicate to the entity of rank k that the receiving entity has the ability to communicate directly with it. This level k+1 response radio message also includes an identifier of the receiving entity. The receiving entity is referred to as a “level k+1” receiving entity (i.e., the first level below entity k).

[0124] Then, the Partial Discovery Part phase continues in step E60, similar to step E14 described previously. During this step, the entity of rank k receives the response radio message of level k+1 (emitted by each of the receiving entities in step E58). This entity of rank k therefore receives the information concerning the identifier of each receiving entity and on the possibility of direct communication between them.

[0125] Thus, at the end of step E60, the entity of rank k updates the discovery list, by listing the entity having responded to the discovery radio message of level k+1.

[0126] As shown in [Fig.6], the Partial Discovery Part phase continues in step E62. During this step, similar to step E16 described previously, the entity of rank k transmits a control radio message to the qualified entity of level k+1. The control message is transmitted, via the first communication channel (via which the receiving entity transmitted the response radio message of level k+1 during step E58). This control radio message is then received by the entity of level k+1 (step E64).

[0127] As shown in [Fig.6], the Partial Discovery Part phase continues in step E66. During this step, the entity of level k+1 transmits a radio report message. This radio report message is designed to be relayed, to the main gateway 12, by the entities of rank between k+1 and the main gateway 12. This radio report message then makes it possible to indicate to the main gateway the entity of rank k+1 discovered, as well as its identifier. The main gateway 12 receives also the communication link between the entity k+1 which was discovered during this phase and the other known entities of the communication network 10a.

[0128] In step E68, similar to step E32 described previously, the main gateway 12 checks whether the entity of rank k+1 having responded to the discovery radio message of level k+1 is listed in the white list of authorized entities. If this entity of rank k+1 is not in the white list, it is excluded from the communication network 10a (and becomes listed in the black list).

[0129] If the level k+1 entity is listed in the white list, the main gateway 12 updates the final list of entities included in the communication network 10a by adding the level k+1 entity discovered during the Partial Discovery Part phase.

[0130] Furthermore, for this entity of level k+1, the main gateway 12 also has the neighborhood table comprising a list of entities with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel.

[0131] Finally, in step E70, the main gateway 12 initiates the cascade transmission, according to the rank of the entities, of this updated final list taking into account the entity of level k+1 discovered during the Part phase (in a similar manner to step E34 described previously).

[0132] Finally, at the end of the Partial Discovery Part phase, the discovered entity of rank k+1 is included in the communication network 10a.

[0133] The management method comprises a horizontal discovery Hor phase. [Fig.7] is a flowchart representing an example of a horizontal discovery Hor phase.

[0134] This horizontal discovery phase Hor is also a partial discovery phase (in the sense that it is implemented after the total discovery phase, to optimize the architecture of the communication network 10a).

[0135] It is for example initiated by an entity of rank k (called initiating entity of rank k in the following). The horizontal discovery phase Hor therefore begins at step E80, during which the entity of rank k initiates the horizontal discovery, so as to qualify an entity of level k, that is to say of the same rank as the initiating entity.

[0136] For this, in step E82 (similar to step E52 described previously), the entity of rank k transmits a radiofrequency discovery message (or radio message) of level k. This radio discovery message of level k is transmitted to all the entities present in the vicinity of the initiating entity of rank k.

[0137] The transmission of this level k discovery radio message aims to enable the discovery of a level k entity of the communication network 10a. This level k discovery radio message is then designed to trigger a level k response message from at least one so-called receiver entity (of level k). In step E84 (as in step E54 described previously), the discovery radio message of level k is therefore received by at least one receiving entity (present near the initiating entity of rank k).

[0138] The horizontal discovery phase Hor then continues with step E86. During this step, as during step E56, the receiving entity, which received the level k discovery radio message, evaluates a signal-to-noise ratio associated with this received level k discovery radio message. If this signal-to-noise ratio is less than a threshold value, the horizontal discovery phase Hor resumes at step E84.

[0139] On the other hand, if the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than this threshold value, the horizontal discovery phase Hor continues at step E88. Here too, the threshold value is for example of the order of 10 decibels (dB).

[0140] In step E88, the receiving entity concerned then transmits a level k response radio message, via a first communication channel. This level k response radio message is designed to indicate to the initiating entity of rank k that the receiving entity has the ability to communicate directly with it. This level k response radio message also includes an identifier of the receiving entity. The receiving entity is referred to as a “level k” receiving entity (i.e., of the same level as the initiating entity of rank k).

[0141] Then, the horizontal discovery phase Hor continues in step E90, similar to step E60 described previously. During this step, the initiating entity of rank k receives the response radio message of level k (emitted by the receiving entity in step E88). The initiating entity of rank k therefore receives the information concerning the identifier of the receiving entity and on the possibility of direct communication between them.

[0142] Thus, at the end of step E90, the initiating entity of rank k updates the discovery list, listing therein the entity having responded to the discovery radio message of level k.

[0143] As shown in [Fig.7], the horizontal discovery phase Hor continues in step E92. During this step, similar to step E62 described above, the initiating entity of rank k transmits a control radio message to the qualified entity of level k. The control message is transmitted, via the first communication channel (via which the receiving entity transmitted the response radio message of level k during step E88). This control radio message is then received by the entity of level k (step E94).

[0144] As shown in [Fig.7], the horizontal discovery phase Hor continues in step E96. During this step, the entity of level k transmits a radio report message. This radio report message is designed to be relayed, up to the main gateway 12, by the entities of rank between k and the main gateway 12. This radio report message then makes it possible to indicate to the main gateway the entity of level k discovered, as well as its identifier. The main gateway 12 also receives the communication link between the level k entity that was discovered during this phase and the other known entities of the communication network 10a.

[0145] In step E98, similar to step E68 described previously, the main gateway 12 checks whether the level k entity having responded to the level k discovery radio message is listed in the white list of authorized entities. If this level k entity is not in the white list, it is excluded from the communication network 10a (and becomes listed in the black list).

[0146] If the level k entity is listed in the white list, the main gateway 12 updates the final list of entities included in the communication network 10a by adding the level k entity discovered during the horizontal discovery phase Hor.

[0147] Furthermore, for this level k entity, the main gateway 12 also has the neighborhood table comprising a list of entities with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel.

[0148] Finally, in step E100, the main gateway 12 initiates the cascade transmission, according to the rank of the entities, of this updated final list taking into account the entity of level k discovered during the Hor phase (in a similar manner to step E70 described previously).

[0149] Finally, at the end of the horizontal discovery phase Hor, the discovered level k entity is included in the communication network 10a.

[0150] The method for managing the communication network 10a according to the invention also aims to extend this network, by adding new entities to the network architecture. The method for managing the communication network 10a then comprises a phase for discovering new entities. This phase for discovering new entities is an Up phase of ascending discovery.

[0151] This Up phase of ascending discovery is also particularly advantageous for enabling the integration into the communication network 10a of entities which were for example identified in the discovery list and which were subsequently excluded because they were not present in the white list.

[0152] [Fig.8] is a flowchart representing an example of a discovery Up phase ascending.

[0153] The Up phase of ascending discovery begins with a step E102. During this step, the new entity (which wishes to join the communication network 10a) transmits a radio presence message to all of the entities included in the communication network 10a (including the main gateway 12). The new entity therefore transmits this radio presence message in “Broadcast” mode. This radio presence message is transmitted, via a first communication channel.

[0154] This radio presence message is designed to trigger a response message from at least one entity of the communication network 10a. In step E104, the radio presence message is received by at least one entity of the communication network 10a.

[0155] The Up phase of ascending discovery continues at step E106, during which each entity of the communication network 10a, which has received the radio presence message, evaluates a signal-to-noise ratio associated with this received radio presence message. If this signal-to-noise ratio is less than a threshold value, the Up phase of ascending discovery resumes at step E104.

[0156] On the other hand, if, for at least one entity of the communication network 10a, the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than this threshold value, the ascending discovery phase Up continues at step E108. The threshold value is for example here of the order of 10 decibels (dB).

[0157] In step E108, each entity of the communication network 10a, having received the presence radio message, transmits a response radio message, to the new entity, via the first communication channel. This response radio message comprises information concerning the rank of each entity of the communication network 10a having received the presence radio message.

[0158] In step E1 10, the new entity analyzes the rank of each of the entities having responded to the radio presence message. The new entity then establishes a list of the entities having responded whose rank is the highest.

[0159] Then, as shown in [Fig.8], the Up phase of ascending discovery continues in step El 12. During this step the new entity transmits a radio control message to all the entities listed in the list established in step El 10. The radio control message is transmitted, via the first communication channel (by which the entities of the communication network 10a responded to the presence message).

[0160] In step E1 14, this radio control message is then received by the entities of the communication network 10a appearing in the list obtained in step E1 10. If one of the entities receiving the radio presence message (in step E104), and whose rank is higher than or equal to that of the entities listed in the list of step E1 10, does not receive the radio control message, this means that the new entity has not listed it as a high-ranking entity. The Up phase of ascending discovery resumes in step E104 (the entity of the communication network 10a concerned not having received the radio control message again transmitting a response radio message). Steps E104 to E1 14 are repeated (under the initiative of the new entity) until all entities (of the communication network) receiving the radio presence message and of high rank are listed in the list.

[0161] At the end of this loop of steps, the new entity therefore has a discovery list listing all the entities with a rank higher than its own.

[0162] Then, a partial discovery phase as described previously is implemented to integrate the new entity into the architecture of the communication network 10a.

[0163] This ascending discovery phase finds a particularly advantageous application for the rediscovery of entities which were part of the communication network 10a previously and which are no longer part of it in the current state of the network. These are, for example, entities which have not operated recently, or whose message power on reception was too low.

[0164] Advantageously, this rediscovery of entities makes it possible to modify the architecture of the communication network 10a and therefore to optimize its topology.

[0165] The method for managing the communication network 10a in accordance with the invention also relates to the transmission of signals through this network (in particular during the different discovery phases described previously).

[0166] As presented previously, in the communication network 10a, a message can be sent in “Broadcast” mode, i.e. to all the entities of the network (for example the first level discovery message sent by the main gateway 12), or in “Multicast” mode, i.e. to a particular group of entities or even in “Peer-to-Peer” mode, to a particular entity.

[0167] Generally speaking, the transmission of signals is carried out according to three possible modes: a downward transmission mode, from the main gateway to the entities included in the network, an upward transmission mode, from the entities included in the network to the main gateway and a horizontal transmission mode, between entities of the network at the same level.

[0168] The transmission mode is indicated in the header information of each transmitted message. For example, in the case of the presence message sent by an entity during the ascending discovery phase, the header information specifies that it is an ascending transmission mode.

[0169] We are first interested in a Trans_Up phase of ascending transmission.

[0170] During this phase, a level N+k entity wishes to transmit a message to the main gateway 12 (or a remote server external to the communication network 10a). The Trans_Up upward transmission phase therefore aims to “upload” the message in the communication network 10a.

[0171] As the entity of level N+k has a neighborhood table listing all the higher-ranking entities with which it can communicate directly, the Trans_Up phase of upward transmission begins with a step during which the entity of level N+k selects the higher-ranking entity (i.e., of level N+k-1) to which it will send the message to be transmitted. This selection is by example performed randomly among all higher-ranking entities with which it can communicate directly.

[0172] Alternatively, this selection may be performed in a pseudo-random manner to ensure that transmission does not always occur via the same entities.

[0173] Once the N+k-1 level entity has been selected, the message is transmitted to it. Then, this N+k-1 level entity receives the message and deduces from its header information that it is an upward transmission. In the same way as the N+k entity previously, based on the neighborhood table available to it, the N+k-1 level entity selects the higher-ranking entity to which it will send the message to be transmitted. This selection is for example implemented in a random or pseudo-random manner.

[0174] These successive steps are implemented for all higher-ranking entities until reaching the main gateway 12. Starting from an entity of level k, there will be k steps of transmission of the message (corresponding to each level of message upload in the communication network 10a). The number of steps therefore depends on the rank of the transmitting entity.

[0175] The message is then finally transmitted to the main gateway 12.

[0176] This Trans_Up phase of ascending transmission in accordance with the invention has the advantage that it does not require knowing the destination entity to achieve the most efficient transmission of the message (i.e. according to an image of the shortest path).

[0177] The method for managing the communication network 10a also comprises a Trans_Down phase of downward transmission of the message.

[0178] During this phase, the main gateway 12 wishes to transmit a message to an entity of level N+k. The Trans_Down downward transmission phase therefore aims to “download” the message into the communication network 10a. Unlike the Trans_Up upward transmission phase described previously, the recipient of the message must be known in the Trans_Down downward transmission phase.

[0179] The main gateway 12 first selects a level N+l entity to which it will transmit the message. As the main gateway 12 has the neighborhood tables of all the entities of the communication network 10a, it has in particular the level N+l entities associated with the targeted entity N+k. Among the level N+l entities concerned, the main gateway 12 selects one to which it will send the message to be transmitted. This selection is for example implemented in a random or pseudo-random manner.

[0180] Once the N+1 level entity has been selected, the message is transmitted to it. Then, this N+1 level entity receives the message and deduces from its header information that it is a downlink transmission and that the message must be transmitted to the N+k level entity. In the same way as the main gateway 12, the N+1 level entity, based on the neighborhood tables available to it, identifies the N+2 level entities associated with the targeted N+k entity. Among the N+2 level entities concerned, the N+1 level entity selects one to which it will send the message to be transmitted. This selection is for example implemented in a random or pseudo-random manner.

[0181] These successive steps are implemented for all lower-rank entities until the targeted N+k-level entity is reached. Seeking to transmit the message to the k-level entity, there will be k steps of message transmission (corresponding to each level of descent of the message in the communication network 10a). The number of steps therefore depends on the rank of the destination entity.

[0182] The message is then finally transmitted to the entity of level N+k.

[0183] This Trans_Down phase of downward transmission in accordance with the invention has the advantage that it does not require knowledge of the message transmission path upstream.

[0184] The method for managing the communication network 10a also includes a Trans_Hor phase for horizontal transmission of the message.

[0185] During this phase, an entity of level N+i wishes to transmit a message to an entity of level N+k. The Trans_Hor horizontal transmission phase corresponds to a combination of the downward and upward transmission phases. More particularly, the Trans_Hor phase comprises a Trans-Up upward transmission phase from the entity of level N+i (to the main gateway 12), then a Trans_Down downward transmission phase from the main gateway 12 to the entity of level N+k.

[0186] Regardless of the transmission mode considered, the chosen transmission path does not need to be known upstream of the transmission. It is determined locally, based on the current architecture of the communication network. This local operating mode is particularly efficient because it does not require the intervention of an external server and it makes it possible to adapt, in real time, to any modification observed in the network architecture.

[0187] The method for managing the communication network 10a according to the invention also comprises a Ver verification phase. This phase aims to verify the correct functioning of an entity of the communication network 10a when the latter has not given any recent sign of life.

[0188] To do this, by a downward transmission mode, the main gateway 12 sends a verification message to the entity concerned. If the entity concerned is still present and operational in the network, it sends a response message in return (by an upward transmission mode).

[0189] If, on the other hand, the main gateway 12 does not receive any response message, it deletes the entity concerned from the lists of entities included in the network.

[0190] Alternatively, the main gateway 12 may implement a series of verification signal transmissions (if a response message is sent in return, the deletion step does not take place).

[0191] Generally, each entity of the communication network 10a can periodically transmit, in uplink transmission mode, life signals in order to attest to its correct operation in the network. The life message includes information concerning the type of the entity, information on the software elements used, the date, etc.

[0192] Alternatively, a level N+k entity can send a message to all the level N+k+1 entities associated with it in order to ask them to transmit a life message.

Claims

1. Claims Method for managing a radio communication network (10a, 10b, 10c) comprising a main gateway (12) and a plurality of entities (I4\ + b 16n + b 18n + b 14^ + 2, 1&n + 2, 14n + 3) capable of communicating with each other and with the main gateway (12) via at least one radio communication channel (13, Cl, C2), the method comprising a total downward discovery phase (Down) comprising the following steps: - transmission of a first discovery radio message by the main gateway (12), the first radio message being designed to trigger a first response message from at least one entity (14n + 1, 16n + b 18n + 1), - in the event of reception of the first discovery message by an entity (14N + b 16N + b 18N + 1) called the receiver, transmission of a first response radio message by this receiving entity (14N + b 16N + b 18N + 1), the first response radio message being designed to indicate, to the main gateway (12), on the one hand, that the receiving entity (14N + b 16N + b 18N + 1) has the ability to communicate directly with the main gateway (12) and, on the other hand, an identifier of the receiving entity (14N + b 16N + b 18N + 1), the receiving entity (14N + b 16N + b 18N + 1) then being qualified as a first-level entity, then - transmission of a second discovery radio message by each first-level entity (14N + b 16N + b 18N + 1), the second discovery message being designed to trigger a second response message from at least one entity (14N + 2, 18N + 2) not being qualified as a first-level entity, - in case of reception of the second discovery message by an entity (14N + 2, 18N + 2), called receiver, not qualified as a first level entity, transmission of a second response message by the receiving entity (14N + 2, 18N + 2), the second response message being designed to indicate, to the first level entity transmitting the first discovery message, on the one hand, that the receiving entity (14N + 2, 18n + 2) has a direct communication channel with the first level entity (14N + b 16N + b 18N + 1), and, on the other hand, an identifier of the receiving entity (14N + 2, 18N + 2), the entity (14N + 2, 18N + 2) receiving then being qualified as a second level entity, and - transmission of a radio report message by each first level entity (14N + 1, 16n + 1, 18n + 1), the radio report message being designed to indicate, to the main gateway (12), the identifier of each second level entity (14N + 2, 18N + 2) capable of communicating with said first level entity (14N + b 16N + b 18N + 1).

2. Method according to claim 1, in which, the total downward discovery phase (Down) further comprises, in the context of iterations of rank n+1 with n an integer greater than or equal to 2, the following steps: - transmission of a level n+1 discovery radio message by each level n entity, the level n+1 discovery message being designed to trigger a response message from at least one entity not being qualified as an entity of level lower than or equal to n, - in the event of reception of the level n+1 discovery message by an entity, called a receiver, not qualified as an entity of level lower than n, transmission of a level n+1 response message by the receiver entity, the level n+1 response message being designed to indicate, to the level n entity transmitting the level n+1 discovery message, on the one hand, that the receiver entity has a direct communication channel with the level n entity, and, on the other hand,an identifier of the receiving entity, the receiving entity then being qualified as a level n+1 entity, and - transmission of a radio report message by each level n entity, the radio report message being designed to be relayed by the entities of level lower than n until reaching the main gateway (12) and indicating, to the main gateway (12), the identifier of each level n+1 entity capable of communicating with said level n entity.,

3. Method according to claim 2, in which there is also provided a phase (Part) of partial discovery comprising steps of: - transmission of a discovery radio message of level k by any one of the entities and / or the main gateway (12), the discovery message of level k being designed to trigger a

4.

5.

6. response message from at least one entity not qualified as an entity of level less than or equal to k, - in the event of receipt of the level k discovery message by an entity, called the receiver, not qualified as an entity of level lower than k-1, transmission of a level k response message by the receiver entity, the level k response message being designed to indicate, to the level k-1 entity transmitting the level k discovery message, on the one hand, that the receiver entity has a direct communication channel with the level k-1 entity, and, on the other hand, an identifier of the receiver entity, the receiver entity then being qualified as a level k entity, and - transmission of a radio report message by the entity of level k-1, the radio report message being designed to be relayed by the entities of level lower than k-1 until reaching the main gateway (12) and indicating, to the main gateway (12), the identifier of the entity of level k capable of communicating with said entity of level k-1. Method according to claim 3, in which there is also provided a phase (Up) of ascending discovery of a new entity comprising steps of: - transmission of a radio presence message by the new entity to the main gateway (12) and the plurality of entities (14N + i, 16n + i, 18N + i, 14N + 2, 18n + 2, 14n + 3), the presence message being designed to trigger a response message from at least one entity among the main gateway (12) and the plurality of entities (14n + 1, 16n + 1, 18n + 1, 14n + 2, 18n + 2, 14n + 3), - then, in the event of reception of the presence message by the main gateway (12) or one of the entities (14N + 1, 16N + 1, 18N + 1, 14N + 2, 18n + 2, 14n + 3) among the plurality of entities, implementation of the partial discovery phase (Part). The method of claim 4, wherein a response message is sent only when the presence message has a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 10 decibels. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a response message is transmitted only when the discovery message has a signal-to-noise ratio greater than or equal to 10 decibels.

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which a discovery phase (Hor) is provided comprising steps of: - transmission of a level k discovery radio message by any one of the level k entities called the level k transmitter, the level k discovery message being designed to trigger a response message from at least one other level k entity, - in the event of reception of the level k discovery message by the other level k entity, called the level k receiver, transmission of a level k response message by the receiver entity, the level k response message being designed to indicate, to the level k transmitter entity, on the one hand, that the level k receiver entity has a direct communication channel with the level k transmitter entity, and, on the other hand, an identifier of the receiver entity, the level k receiver and transmitter entities then being qualified as level k relay entities,and - transmission of a radio report message by the receiving entity of level k, the radio report message being designed to be relayed by the transmitting entity of level k and entities of level lower than k-1 until reaching the main gateway (12) and indicating, to the main gateway (12), the identifiers of the transmitting and receiving entities of level k capable of communicating together.,

8. Method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, in which the main gateway (12) has a list of identifiers of authorized entities, called a white list, and provision is made, in the phase (Down) of total downward discovery, in the phase (Part) of partial discovery or in a phase (Hor) of horizontal discovery of an entity of the same rank as the entity sending the discovery message, for a verification, by the main gateway (12), of the membership of each identifier received in the white list.

9. Method according to any one of claims 3 to 8, in which the main gateway (12) has a list of identifiers of prohibited entities, called a black list, and provision is made, in the phase (Down) of total downward discovery, in the phase (Part) of partial discovery or in a phase (Hor) of horizontal discovery of an entity of the same rank as the entity sending the discovery message, for a step of excluding the entity concerned if the associated identifier received belongs to the black list.

10. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which each entity, of level k, has a list of entities of higher level with respect to it with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel.

11. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which each entity, of level k, has a list of entities of lower level with respect to it with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel.

12. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which each entity, of level k, has a list of entities of the same level with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel.

13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each level k entity comprises a communication channel configured to allow transmission and reception of a message with a level k-1 entity and a communication channel configured to allow transmission and reception of a message with a level k+1 entity.

14. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one level k entity comprises a communication channel configured to allow transmission and reception of a message with another level k entity.

15. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in which the main gateway (12) has a plurality of neighborhood tables comprising, for each entity (14N + b 16N + b 18N + i , 14n + 2, 18N + 2, 14n + 3) of the communication network (10a), a list of the entities with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel.

16. Method according to claim 15, in which a step of transmitting the message in the communication network (10a) is provided on the basis of the neighborhood tables available to the main gateway (12).

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein, for the transmission of the message in the communication network, for each entity level, the entity implementing the transmission of the message is selected randomly.

18. A communication network (10a) comprising a main gateway (12), a plurality of entities (14N + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14n + 3) and a control module (12a) configured to implement a management method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. Communication network (10a) according to claim 18, wherein each entity (14N + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3) comprises a communication unit (15a) configured to receive and transmit a message according to a first communication channel (Cl) and to receive and transmit a message according to a second communication channel (C2) distinct from the first communication channel (Cl).

20. Communication network (10a) according to claim 19, wherein the communication unit (15a) of each entity (14N + b 16N + i, 18N + b 14n + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3) comprises at least two receiver modules (15b) configured, each respectively, to receive a message according to the first communication channel (Cl) and to receive a message according to the second communication channel (C2) and at least one transmitter module (15c) configured to transmit on the first communication channel (Cl) and the second communication channel (C2) alternately.

21. Communication network (10a) according to claim 19 or 20, wherein each entity (14N + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14n + 3) comprises a control unit (15d) configured to store a neighborhood table comprising a list of entities with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel and to control the communication unit (15a) according to the neighborhood table.

22. A communication network (10a) according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the control module (12a) comprises a storage unit (12c) storing the white list, the black list and at least one neighborhood table comprising a list of entities with which each entity can communicate via a direct communication channel.

23. Entity (14n + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3) for implementing a method for managing a communication network according to one of claims 1 to 17, comprising: - a communication unit (15a) configured to receive and transmit a message according to a first communication channel (Cl) and to receive and transmit a message according to a second communication channel (C2) distinct from the first communication channel (Cl), and - a control unit (15d) configured to store a neighborhood table comprising a list of entities with which it can communicate via a direct communication channel and to control the communication unit according to the neighborhood table.

24. Entity (I4\ + b 16n + b 18n + b 14^ + 2, 18n + 2, 14n + 3) according to claim 23, wherein the communication unit (15a) comprises at least two receiver modules (15b) configured, each respectively, to receive a message according to the first communication channel (Cl) and to receive a message according to the second communication channel (C2) and at least one transmitter module (15c) configured to transmit a message on the first communication channel (Cl) and the second communication channel (C2) alternately.

25. Entity (14n + b 16n + b 18n + b 14n + 2, 18n + 2, 14n + 3) according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the control unit (15d) is configured to be placed in a full downlink discovery state, the communication unit (15a) being configured to receive a discovery radio message, to transmit a response message and to transmit a report message.

26. Entity (I4\ + b 16n + b 18n + b 14^ + 2, 18n + 2, 14n + 3) according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the control unit (15d) is configured to be placed in a full downlink discovery state, the communication unit (15a) being configured to transmit a discovery radio message, to receive a response message and to receive a report message.

27. Entity (14n + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3) according to any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the control unit (15d) is configured to be placed in a partial discovery state, the communication unit (15a) being configured to receive a discovery radio message, to transmit a response message and to transmit a report message.

28. Entity (14n + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3) according to any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the control unit (15d) is configured to be placed in a state of partial discovery, the communication unit being configured to transmit a discovery radio message, to receive a response message and to receive a report message.

29. Entity (14N + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3) according to any one of claims 23 to 28, wherein the control unit (15d) is configured to be placed in an upward discovery state, the communication unit (15a) being configured to transmit a presence radio message.

30. Entity (14n + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3) according to any one of claims 23 to 28, wherein the control unit (15d) is configured to be placed in an upward discovery state, the communication unit (15a) being configured to receive a presence radio message.

31. An entity (14n + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3) according to any one of claims 23 to 30, wherein the control unit (15d) is configured to be placed in a horizontal discovery state in which an entity of the same rank as the entity transmits a discovery message, the communication unit (15a) being configured to receive a discovery radio message, to transmit a response message and to transmit a report message.

32. An entity (14n + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3) according to any one of claims 23 to 30, wherein the control unit (15d) is configured to be placed in a horizontal discovery state in which an entity of the same rank as the entity transmits a discovery message, the communication unit (15a) being configured to transmit a discovery radio message, to receive a response message and to receive a report message.

33. Entity (14n + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3) according to any one of claims 23 to 32, wherein the control unit (15d) is configured to be placed in a communication state, the communication unit (15a) being configured to transmit a communication message to another entity (14n + b 16n + b 18n + b 14n + 2, 18n + 2, 14N + 3) or a main gateway (12) of the communication network (10a).

34. Entity (14n + b 16N + b 18N + b 14N + 2, 18N + 2, 14N + 3) according to any one of claims 23 to 33, wherein means for measuring data external to the entity (14N + b 16N + b 18n + b 14n + 2, 18n + 2, 14n + 3) are provided, the control unit (15d) being configured to transmit data acquired by the measuring means in the communication network (10a).

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