Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus includes a communication circuit and a transducer array coupled to the communication circuit. The communication circuit is operable to generate first and second information signals, and the transducer array is operable to generate in response to the first information signal a first sonar signal having a first frequency, and to generate in response to the second information signal a second sonar signal having a second frequency. The transducer array may generate the first and second sonar signals simultaneously to increase the transmission bandwidth. Where such an apparatus is a buoy, then the buoy may relay signals from an above-surface vessel to an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), and may relay signals from the UUV to the vessel. Therefore, the buoy allows the vessel to control the UUV without a cable linking the buoy and the vessel, and thus allows one to eliminate such a cable.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus includes a communication circuit and a transducer array coupled to the communication circuit. The communication circuit is operable to generate first and second information signals, and the transducer array is operable to generate in response to the first information signal a first sonar signal having a first frequency, and to generate in response to the second information signal a second sonar signal having a second frequency. The transducer array may generate the first and second sonar signals simultaneously to increase the transmission bandwidth. Where such an apparatus is a buoy, then the buoy may relay signals from an above-surface vessel to an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), and may relay signals from the UUV to the vessel. Therefore, the buoy allows the vessel to control the UUV without a cable linking the buoy and the vessel, and thus allows one to eliminate the tether between the UUV and the vessel for applications in which a tethered UUV may be unsuitable.

Abstract: An address resolution protocol technique enables an intermediate station of a heterogeneous network to dynamically assign an address to an end station for use in a communication session between the end station and other stations of the network. The end station initiates the session by issuing a novel address assignment request to the intermediate station. In response to the request, the intermediate station assigns the end station an address chosen from a pool of addresses allocated to the intermediate station. If the assigned address is unacceptable, the end station reissues the address assignment request to which the intermediate station allocates another address from the pool.