Abstract: Systems and methods for improving network performance. A method of transmitting packet data across a network includes a transmitting network device establishing a reservation to transmit traffic to a plurality of wireless receiving network devices across a network; the transmitting network device transmitting a sequence of packets across the network, wherein a packet of the sequence of packets includes data requesting the receivers acknowledge receipt of the packet; the transmitting network device waiting for a predetermined time to receive acknowledgement of receipt of the packet from the wireless receiving network devices; the transmitting network device retransmitting a packet across the network only if it does not receive an acknowledgement for that packet from any of the wireless receiving network devices within the predetermined time.

Abstract: Embodiments describe scheduling communication in an ad hoc multihop network. Included is a reservation based Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol that has resources scheduled along the path from source to destination. Admission control is performed on a per-hop basis and a decision is made, in a distributed manner, if enough resources exist along the multihop path to admit a new communication.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods are provided to allow a network device to simultaneously monitor multiple adjacent wireless physical layer channels. If network communications are discovered on an adjacent channel, the network device may move to this adjacent channel. Accordingly, the network device is able to discover other devices or services existing on the adjacent channel, and is able to avoid interference caused by adjacent channels coexisting on the same frequency bands. After moving to the adjacent channel, a standard MAC protocol is able to regulate channel excess amongst all the network devices coexisting on the new channel.

Abstract: A system and method allows a slave device to avoid the potential energy dissipation that might otherwise result from remaining in receive mode for long enough to account for worst-case clock drift. A master device is configured to transmit a plurality of beacons during a time interval determined according to possible clock drift between the master and slave device. When the slave device wakes, it receives a beacon of the plurality. Accordingly, the slave device can save power by minimizing the time it is required to spend in receive mode.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a system and method to provide alignment of hibernation and active cycles is provided. When one device receives a beacon from one of its neighbors it can be implemented to check for the neighboring device's global cycle start countdown value and to compare it's global cycle start countdown value with its own. If the beacon from the neighboring device contains a global cycle start countdown value that is different from the device's own global cycle start countdown, the device can be implemented to check a predefined condition. For example, if a device's global cycle start time falls into the first half of a neighbor's global cycle, then the device changes its own global cycle start time to the global cycle start time of that neighbor. In another embodiment, if a device's global cycle start time falls into the first 256/K superframes of a neighbor's global cycle, then the device changes its own global cycle start time to the global cycle start time of that neighbor.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention a device can announce broadcast traffic in a global access period. Thus, a destination can change its local communication window every global access period. By announcing a local communication window during a global access period it can be more likely that a source device in a network will receive the information because all devices should be active during the global access period. A device can awaken for its local communication window and during the local communication window a source device can schedule a transmission and transmit information to the device.

Abstract: A method of network operations comprises conducting communication activities at a first network device using a shared network medium and having a first coverage area, wherein the communication activities comprise broadcasting a data transmission reservation or receiving a data transmission reservation of another network device during a beacon period; and conducting communications with the first network device at a second network device using the shared network medium; wherein the second network device is configured to provide a second coverage area that is substantially contained within the first coverage area and wherein the second network device does not monitor network communications during the beacon period.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for managing power of devices on a network. The method comprises: transmitting a first weighted value and a first anchor status of a first device on the network to a second device on the network, wherein the second device is a neighboring device to the first device; receiving a second weighted value and a second anchor status from the second device; and setting one of the devices as an anchor device based on one or more of weighted values and the anchor statuses, wherein the anchor device is configured to either wake up at predetermined times or to remain active.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention the timing of one or more local communication windows can be defined using equations such that one or more local communication windows for two or more devices overlap. For example the periods between two consecutive local communication windows can be defined using a periodic equation such as: LAP Cycle Period=?*2n. In this equation n=0, 1, 2, . . . , N, where N and ? can be fixed. For example, N and ? can be numbers that are predetermined for a given network, a given set of network devices, etc. In one embodiment every device can become active every ?*2n superframes. The frequency (n) can be determined based on, for example, incoming or outgoing message traffic, power consumption needs, etc.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, systems and methods are provided to allow wireless network devices to transmit more data than the maximum length beacon during a beacon period. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting an original beacon, determining if a beacon slot is available, selecting the available beacon slot; determining if the selected slot is within a beacon period of a neighbor, and transmitting an additional beacon. Other embodiments may include determining a different device address and EUI48 and selecting a new MAC information element for the additional beacon.

Abstract: According to various embodiments a receiver may include information elements in its beacon. The information elements can then be used to send feedback information about packets received during the previous superframe(s). This feedback information may contain some acknowledgement information. For example, the feedback information may include information elements that include acknowledgement information that acknowledge the reception of previously transmitted packets. According to an embodiment of the invention, systems and methods to provide feedback information comprising receiving a packet; determining feedback information based on the received packet; and transmitting a beacon. The beacon comprises a frame header, including routing information for the frame; a beacon parameter, including signaling information; and an information element comprising the feedback information for the received packets.

Abstract: Embodiments describe scheduling communication in an ad hoc multihop network. Included is a reservation based Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol that has resources scheduled along the path from source to destination. Admission control is performed on a per-hop basis and a decision is made, in a distributed manner, if enough resources exist along the multihop path to admit a new communication.

Abstract: A layer 2 routing protocol that may route packets from a source to a destination via intermediate devices is proposed. In some embodiments, the proposed routing scheme may be a variant of the AODV routing protocol that runs at layer 2. The routing may be transparent to upper layers (e.g., the IP layer), so no modifications whatsoever to upper layers are needed to enable multi-hop communication for WiMedia-based devices. The proposed scheme may take advantage of the information (e.g., detailed channel condition) and tools (e.g., beacon protocol) available at WiMedia MAC to reduce the overhead needed to exchange routing messages. The proposed scheme may also support end-to-end quality-of-service allowing applications to find and reserve resources along a route in a distributed manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for managing power of devices on a network. The method comprises: transmitting a first weighted value and a first anchor status of a first device on the network to a second device on the network, wherein the second device is a neighboring device to the first device; receiving a second weighted value and a second anchor status from the second device; and setting one of the devices as an anchor device based on one or more of weighted values and the anchor statuses, wherein the anchor device is configured to either wake up at predetermined times or to remain active.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention the timing of one or more local communication windows can be defined using equations such that one or more local communication windows for two or more devices overlap. For example the periods between two consecutive local communication windows can be defined using a periodic equation such as: LAP Cycle Period=?*2n. In this equation n=0, 1, 2, . . . , N, where N and ? can be fixed. For example, N and ? can be numbers that are predetermined for a given network, a given set of network devices, etc. In one embodiment every device can become active every ?*2n superframes. The frequency (n) can be determined based on, for example, incoming or outgoing message traffic, power consumption needs, etc.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a system and method to provide alignment of hibernation and active cycles is provided. When one device receives a beacon from one of its neighbors it can be implemented to check for the neighboring device's global cycle start countdown value and to compare it's global cycle start countdown value with its own. If the beacon from the neighboring device contains a global cycle start countdown value that is different from the device's own global cycle start countdown, the device can be implemented to check a predefined condition. For example, if a device's global cycle start time falls into the first half of a neighbor's global cycle, then the device changes its own global cycle start time to the global cycle start time of that neighbor. In another embodiment, if a device's global cycle start time falls into the first 256/K superframes of a neighbor's global cycle, then the device changes its own global cycle start time to the global cycle start time of that neighbor.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention a device can announce broadcast traffic in a global access period. Thus, a destination can change its local communication window every global access period. By announcing a local communication window during a global access period it can be more likely that a source device in a network will receive the information because all devices should be active during the global access period. A device can awaken for its local communication window and during the local communication window a source device can schedule a transmission and transmit information to the device.

Abstract: A mechanism that enables power sensitive communication devices to utilize the hibernation power saving mechanism offered by existing protocols is provided. In circumstances where there is no data buffered for transmission for a network device, that device can be permitted to hibernate. Alternatively, where there is data buffered for transmission for a network device, that device can be permitted to remain active. A device that receives a traffic indication that contains its identification can be configured to remain in the active mode for as long as traffic indications included in received beacons contain its identification.