Wireless communication system for reliable communication between a group

Abstract

The communication system allows a group of at least three apparatuses, such as game computers and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), to communicate wirelessly by using, for instance, infrared transmission. The apparatuses are the same from a communication point of view. A message frame (500) transmitted by an apparatus (10) can, therefore, be received by all other apparatuses (101 e.a.), which are part of the system. Reliability is increased by acknowledging correct reception of a message frame (500) and retransmitting a message frame (500) up to a predefined maximum number of times if no acknowledgement frame (510) is received. The chance of message frames (500) and/or acknowledgement frames (510) colliding is reduced. After a message frame (500) has been transmitted, a following defined time period is reserved for acknowledging reception of the message frame (500). Upon receiving the message frame (500), the receiving apparatuses (101 e.a.) wait a random time, within the defined period, before acknowledging. The first apparatus (101) to time-out transmits an acknowledgment frame (510). The other apparatuses do not transmit an acknowledgement frame. Correct reception of a message frame (500) is, therefore, only acknowledged by one apparatus. This is accomplished through use of two timers.