Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and devices that coordinate access to a common medium between two networks. Typically, a gateway is employed that requests resources from a home central coordinator and/or access coordinator. If resources are not available from the home central coordinator and the access coordinator, a neighbor network protocol is performed to obtain additional resources.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system for communicating between stations in a network are presented. The method includes providing repeated beacon transmissions from a coordinator station for coordinating transmissions among a plurality of the stations; transmitting from a first station to a second station during a time slot assigned to the first station by at least one of the beacon transmissions; and transmitting from the first station information that grants permission to the second station to transmit during at least a portion of a time slot assigned to the first station.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide methods, devices, and systems enabling a central coordinator to manage hidden stations via a proxy central coordinator.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, and devices for improving network management in a centralized network, which typically includes a central coordinator (CCO) that manages and schedules activities within the network. The embodiments of the invention provide a manner of selecting a CCO, including a backup CCO, best suited to manage the network based on a set of rules. Furthermore, the embodiments provide a manner of transferring the current CCO functions to a new CCO, e.g., via message exchanges. Moreover, a process of a backup CCO assuming the function of an unavailable CCO is also described.

Abstract: With the addition of high-speed data traffic to traditional CDMA cellular networks, there is a need to efficiently utilize system capacity so that the quality of service of existing voice and low-speed data users is maintained while new high-speed data users are added to the network. Methods and systems are presented that control allocation of power to users, quality of service requirements, and/or user activity levels to enhance capacity utilization. These methods and systems are based on a method for estimating the capacity of a CDMA carrier with both voice and data users using an interference-based analysis of the reverse link. In particular, the methods enhance capacity utilization in a multi-code CDMA network architecture, in which several codes are allocated to a single high-speed data user for parallel transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method employable in the task, during organizing of an ad hoc network from a collection of plural nodes, of selecting a central coordinator node, where such organizing is taking place in a setting wherein there is available, to all of the nodes in the collection, a topology map describing, for all of the nodes, their respective identities, capabilities, and associated inter-nodal communication link numbers and qualities. The method includes the steps of (a) engaging all of the nodes in activity leading to an analysis of the topology map, and (b) from such engaging, and from the resulting nodal analysis, implementing an all-nodal participatory process to establish at least a predesignation of best candidate(s) to become the thereafter selected central coordinator node.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for performing ongoing ad hoc network topology discovery with regard to a collection of plural participating nodes. The method features the steps of (a) defining an appropriate topology-discovery condition to be associated with such nodes, (b) when that condition occurs, establishing and activating a dedicated, contention-free, discovery-communication time period wherein each node broadcasts, for reception by all other nodes, its attributes, including its identity, it operating characteristics, its capabilities, and its associated link qualities in relation to the other nodes, (c) utilizing the results of such establishing and activating steps, creating an overall network topology map associated with the nodes, and (d) then making that map available for use in subsequent network organizational activities, including the practices of creating suitable communication links between nodes, and enabling organization of a network into appropriate subnets and proxy networks.

Abstract: An ad hoc network organizational method which is employable with a collection of plural nodes in a setting where there is available a current overall network topology map containing at least the identities of, and the inter-nodal communication link qualities and capabilities associated with, each of the nodes. The method generally involves the steps of (a) examining the topology map to determine the current pattern of possible and not-possible direct communication links between pairs of nodes, thus to detect, from an inter-nodal, inter-communication point of view, hidden nodes and non-hidden nodes, and (b) on the basis of such examining, establishing a proxy networking scheme wherein pairs of nodes which are hidden with respect to one another can nonetheless communicate with one another through at least one, intermediary, selectable proxy node which is non-hidden with respect to each of the two nodes in such a pair.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for detecting and applying network channel characteristic measurements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for establishing, managing and transitioning between network coordination modes.

Abstract: A computer-based communication network including a communication medium, and plural, self-timing-controlled, participating communication nodes operatively connected to that medium and operable to gain transmission access to the medium based upon prior transmission-scheduling knowledge, along with future-transmission, deferential, time-slot scheduling. Time-slot scheduling, which is broadcast by each node every time that it communicates over the network medium, is self-performed substantially autonomously by the network nodes, and is based upon an access-control protocol which effectively operates continually in relation to a span of time that brackets the current moment, where that span encompasses a time extent which includes currently knowable, prior, time-slot-scheduling history, along with future time-slot-scheduling intension.

Abstract: A distributed network method for self-organizing a group of nodes into a bi-directional communication network where initially there is no central coordinator in the prospective network environment. The method involves engaging in the process of determining internodal communication capabilities en route to creating a network topology table, and then using that table as a guide (a) selecting, by nodal election, an appropriate central coordinator, and (b) establishing proxy nodes which enable full network bi-directional communication between all nodes, including otherwise communicatively-compromised hidden nodes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for coordination of interfering network devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for network connection setup and bandwidth allocation comprising negotiable and non-negotiable modulation allocation procedures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for distributed network coordination and administration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for managing and allocating bandwidth in a communication medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for establishment and modification of network allocation parameters.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data in a centralized network is disclosed. The method establishes a traffic channel. A source device transmits data to a group of destination devices over the traffic channel. The source device then waits for an acknowledgement of reception of the data from at least one source device.

Abstract: A method of converting application data to transport data in a power line communication system includes receiving application data from an application in a device through a service access point. The connection type and connection specification for the application data is then analyzed to determine if a connection exists for the application data. If a connection exists for the application data, mapping the application data is mapped into transport data.

Abstract: A method to establish communications in a centralized network determines that a connection needs to be established and generates a connection type and a connection specification. A connection is then requested from a central coordinator. If the connection is granted, a connection identifier with an originating service access point and predefined parameters with the connection identifier. The determination of a need for a connection may be made by request from an application, or automatically determining that a connection does not exist and needs to be set up.