Removal of ambiguities in forming new piconet controller (PNC) when the current PNC controller is suddenly unavailable

摘要

A piconet in which at least one master communication station and at least one slave communication station are self-designated implements a successor hierarchy. A wireless device (DEV) functioning as a piconet controller (PNC) poll a plurality of DEVs to obtain data concerning other DEVs in range of the respective polled DEVs. Data concerning stations in range of the respective polled stations is received and at least one successor DEV is selected as a successor PNC based on the received data concerning stations in range of the respective polled DEVs. The selection of the successor DEVs is communicated to the successor DEVs. This provides for continuity of communication.