Multiple wireless communication protocol methods and apparatuses including proactive reduction of interference

Abstract

A collection of wirelessly networked devices including first devices wirelessly networked together using a first wireless protocol that is a frequency hopping protocol, and second devices wirelessly networked together using a second wireless protocol, are operated in a coordinated manner, including proactive reduction of interference between the networked devices. In one embodiment, the first devices include at least a first and a second subset operating with a first and a second frequency hopping pattern respectively. The proactive reduction effort includes synchronized operations of the first and second subsets of the first devices, and the second devices operate in a manner complementary to the synchronized operations of the first devices. In one embodiment, the collection of wirelessly networked devices includes at least one wireless device that operates in both wireless networks in accordance with both wireless protocols. The multi-protocol device is equipped to at least facilitate prospective anticipation of whether transmission of a long packet that spans multiple ones of successive frequencies by a device of the first wireless network will cause interference with devices of the second wireless network.