Abstract: A method for calculating service redundancy of a wireless network is provided. The method comprises determining one or more of a plurality of routes through which a node can communicate to reach a destination. A routing metric is calculated for each of the plurality of routes. Using the calculated routing metrics a route having a best routing metric is identified as a best route to the destination. Service redundancy for each node within the wireless network is calculated using a sum of weighted ratios of the best routing metric to at least one alternate routing metric.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for evaluating the performance of a potential route before it is actually established. In a wireless network, when a trigger is received by a source node that suggests the existence of a better route, the source node sends a scouting packet along the suggested route. The scouting packet collects statistics related to the suggested route, without establishing the route while the scouting packet traverses the route. The metric for the suggested route, which is derived from the statistics collected by the scouting packet, is compared to the metric for the current route. If the metric for the suggested route is preferable to that of the current route, the suggested route is established as a new route.

Abstract: A multi-radio meshed node is provided which includes a first radio module, a second radio module, and a single routing manager module that is common to or shared by the first radio module and the second radio module. The multi-radio meshed node has a node MAC address associated therewith which uniquely identifies the multi-radio meshed node. The first radio module includes a first interface. The second radio module is designed to communicate simultaneously when the first radio module is communicating. The second radio module includes a second interface. The first radio module has a first interface MAC address associated therewith, and the second radio module has a second interface MAC address associated therewith. The single routing manager module determines which one of the first interface and the second interface is to be used for routing of a particular packet.

Abstract: A method is provided for a particular multi-radio meshed node to discover a route to a peer multi-radio meshed node in a wireless multi-hop network including a plurality of multi-radio meshed nodes. Each of the multi-radio meshed nodes each includes a plurality of radio modules, and each radio module comprises an interface. The particular multi-radio meshed node transmits route request (RREQ) messages from each interface of a particular multi-radio meshed node. When a particular recipient multi-radio meshed node receives at least one of the route request (RREQ) messages, it generates a reverse route to the particular multi-radio meshed node. A peer-to-peer route is established when the particular multi-radio meshed node receives a route reply (RREP) message and can then be used to forward traffic to and from the destination node.

Abstract: In a wireless multi-hop network including a plurality of multi-radio meshed nodes, a method is provided for a particular recipient multi-radio meshed node to optimize a route to an intelligent access point (IAP). Each of the multi-radio meshed nodes include a plurality of radio modules, and each radio module comprises an interface. Each of the radio modules in each of the multi-radio meshed nodes transmit a HELLO message over-the-air (OTA). Each HELLO message transmitted by each of the radio modules comprises: a source node MAC address field which specifies a first MAC address of the multi-radio meshed node, and a source interface MAC address field associated with a particular radio module of the multi-radio meshed node and which specifies an interface MAC address of the radio module.

Abstract: A method for security authentication within a wireless network is disclosed. A method within an adhoc mesh network for two devices to quickly determine roles (i.e. which is the authenticator and which is the supplicant) while establishing a security association is provided for. The invention further provides for the inclusion of cached key information in the role negotiation process and the application of role negotiation to a shortened three-way handshake.

Abstract: A system and method for locating optimal routes between source and destination nodes in a communications network, in particular, a wireless ad-hoc communications network by employing a link reliability algorithm that estimates the reliability of links between nodes using a prediction mechanism and a variable-weight filter. The prediction can be based on signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio or any statistic collected at the physical layer that is deemed representative of the quality of a link, and the weighting filter adjusts the predicted value based on the traffic conditions (e.g., idle, light traffic, moderate traffic or heavy traffic) being experienced by the nodes whose link quality is being estimated.

Abstract: A method is provided for communicating data items across one or more disjoined networks. The method comprises receiving a message including a data item information list having data item information associated with each of one or more data items stored in a node of the disjoined networks; ranking each of the data items based on each of the associated data item information; comparing each of the associated data item information of the ranked data items with a local data index information list to select one or more data items requiring updating; and sending a request for updating the selected data items.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating a location of a device is provided. A likelihood of the device being located at a particular location point or a particular location floor is determined using a likelihood calculation at each of a plurality of locations. The location point or location floor is then identified as that location having an associated highest likelihood calculation. The likelihood calculation includes calculating a distance from the device to each of a plurality of reference routers including one or more virtual coplanar reference routers, wherein each of the one or more virtual coplanar reference routers comprise a projection of a non-coplanar reference router onto the floor.

Abstract: A communications network which is capable of effectively and efficiently handling fading between mobile wireless user terminals of a packet-switched network with minimal overhead and packet loss, and a method for using the same. The communications network employs an origination mobile terminal and surrounding macroscopic mobile terminals and/or surrounding fixed infrastructure. Communication is established between the origination mobile terminal and surrounding macroscopic mobile terminals and/or surrounding fixed infrastructure. The communication is established via modified request to send (RTS) and clear to send (CTS) messages, wherein the modified messages provide for an additional two sets of k unicast addresses where k equals the maximum number of routes available per route entry in the origination mobile terminal's route table.

Abstract: A system and method for maximizing channel utilization by efficiently allocating codes and frequencies based on estimated relative interference between subscriber units in a wireless communications network, such as an ad-hoc wireless communications network, in such a way as to minimize multiple access interference. The system and method perform the operations of collecting existing and proposed transmission information between nodes in the network, and calculating a respective interference factor for each existing transmission between certain nodes and each proposed transmission by a transmitting node. The interference factors can be calculated based on, for example, respective distances between certain nodes. The system and method then assign the communications channel configuration, including a frequency channel and code channel, to the transmitting node for communications to other nodes as designated by a minimum of the calculated respective interference factors.

Abstract: A system and method for locating optimal routes between source and destination nodes in a communications network, in particular, a wireless ad-hoc communications network by employing a link reliability algorithm that estimates the reliability of links between nodes using a prediction mechanism and a variable-weight filter. The prediction can be based on signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio or any statistic collected at the physical layer that is deemed representative of the quality of a link, and the weighting filter adjusts the predicted value based on the traffic conditions (e.g., idle, light traffic, moderate traffic or heavy traffic) being experienced by the nodes whose link quality is being estimated.

Abstract: A system and method for data transmission using a multichannel medium access control (MAC) protocol to send small messages on the reservation channel directly without any RTS/CTS handshake or channel switching delays. The message is assigned a special type so that it can be distinguished from the RTS/CTS message. The message can also include information about congestion, activity, device type, mobility level, and so forth.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing the quality of a link, in particular, a bi-directional link, between nodes in a wireless communication network, such as a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer network, with minimum network overhead. The system and method determine the quality of link between two nodes by taking into consideration the view from both the nodes, and factors such as signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio or any statistic collected at the physical layer that is deemed representative of the quality of a link. The link quality can also be adjusted using a weighting factor.

Abstract: A system and method for improved Time Of Arrival (TOA) distance measurements between nodes of a wireless ad-hoc network. Specifically, the present invention is a system and method of distance estimation using square-root raised-cosine pulse shaping and chip matched filters on direct sequence spreading waveforms, the multiplication of which produces raised-cosine filtered pulse responses. The responses are used to identify a time when a function is at a maximum, corresponding to the actual signal reception time. The system and method produces a raised-cosine filtered pulse response and an auto-correlation function based on a received signal. A peak value of the auto-correlation function is calculated based on a quadratic approximation, which is corrected using a signal sampling phase offset detected between the raised-cosine filtered pulse response and the calculated peak value. The calculated peak value is then corrected to represent an actual reception time for received signals.

Abstract: A system and method for providing discrete analog voltage levels. The system and method employs a pseudo-random sequence generator for generating random-sequences of binary values, namely zeros and ones, based on a digital input. The pseudo-random sequence serves to modulate a current source whose output is integrated to develop a constant discrete analog voltage output. This method reduces spurious frequency interference on the circuit. The system and method can be employed in a node of a wireless ad-hoc communications network.