Random Inquiry for Bluetooth Ad Hoc Networks

Abstract

Exchanging multi-media name cards among cellular phones and personal area ad-hoc networking look promising application for a wireless proximity networking technology such as Bluetooth. These applications are symmetrical in nature, and fault-tolerant distributed algorithms require symmetry. However the current Bluetooth specification only provides an asymmetrical connection and its connection delay is intolerably high. We can resolve it by Random Inquiry between two devices, which was proposed formerly. In this paper, we present an extension of the random inquiry procedure that forms a piconet among more than two devices in a symmetrical fashion. The procedure elects a master within a second, and at the same time, constructs a piconet. It can be used effectively for finding an initial topology and tracking changes in ad-hoc networks.