Abstract: Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) health nodes are provided, as are methods for determining maintenance actions with respect to LRU health nodes. In one embodiment, the LRU health node includes a passive Radio Frequency identification (RFID) module having an RFID memory and an RFID antenna coupled thereto. The LRU health node further includes a mass storage memory, a sensor configured to monitor an operational parameter of an LRU and generate a corresponding output signal, and a health node controller operably coupled to the passive RFID module, to the mass storage memory, and to the sensor. The health node controller is configured to: (i) record the output signal generated by the sensor in the mass storage memory as time-phased sensor data, (ii) derive health summary data from the time-phased sensor data, and (iii) store the health summary data in the RFID memory.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for personalizing interaction with a structure are described herein. One method includes determining a comfort preference associated with a user of a mobile device corresponding to a particular location with respect to a structure, storing the comfort preference in a memory, and modifying an operation of at least one device in the structure to provide the comfort preference responsive to a distance between the mobile device and the particular location being less than a particular threshold.

Abstract: System and methods for surveying areas using a radar system and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are described herein. For example, one or more embodiments include detecting an event in the area using movement measurements from a radar system, wherein the radar system transmits electromagnetic radiation waves to capture the movement measurements in the area, and determining geographic information system (GIS) coordinates of a location of the event. Further, one or more embodiments can include navigating an UAV to the location substantially autonomously using the GIS coordinates of the location of the event and capturing a second number of images of the location using the UAV.

Abstract: A wireless fire detection monitoring system comprises a control unit which includes a wireless transceiver and control software to implement a wireless multi-hop communications protocol. A network of battery powered monitoring devices is provided for monitoring alarm conditions. Each monitoring device includes software to implement the wireless communication protocol with one of, the control unit and at least one other child member of the plurality, or, at least two other members of the plurality where a selected device communicates with at least one child device and at least one parent device. The wireless multi-hop communications protocol comprises a time division multiple access communications protocol with the monitoring devices being time synchronized and the control unit and the monitoring devices are adapted to communicate compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard.

Abstract: Planning a wireless network is described herein. One method includes navigating a first unmanned mobile vehicle to a location in an environment, navigating a second unmanned mobile vehicle along a route through the environment, capturing, by the second unmanned mobile vehicle while navigating along the route, data associated with a wireless signal emitted by the first unmanned mobile vehicle at the location and locations of the second unmanned mobile vehicle while the second unmanned mobile vehicle is capturing the data associated with the wireless signal, and determining locations to place a number of wireless network access points in the environment based on the captured data.

Abstract: Generating a three-dimensional model of an industrial plant using an unmanned aerial vehicle is described herein. One method includes capturing, using an unmanned aerial vehicle, a number of visual images of an industrial plant, capturing, using the unmanned aerial vehicle, a number of infrared images of the industrial plant, and forming a three-dimensional model of the industrial plant by combining the number of visual images and the number of infrared images.

Abstract: Systems and methods of backup battery support for switches and access points in fire detection systems are provided. Methods can include identifying a communications time interval for a plurality of devices, detecting a power failure, identifying a start time for a next scheduled communications time interval for a respective one of the plurality of devices, placing a wireless access point in a low power mode, and, substantially immediately prior to the start time, removing the wireless access point from the low power mode.

Abstract: Safety radio devices are described herein. One method of constructing a safety radio device includes mounting a radio module on a first layer of a circuit board, fabricating an antenna on a second layer of the circuit board, and constructing a safety radio device by connecting the radio module to the antenna through an aperture formed in the second layer of the circuit board.

Abstract: A Wi-Fi mesh fire detection system and methods therefor are provided. The system can include a plurality of access points, where each access point in the plurality of access points is wirelessly connected to at least two other access points in the plurality of access points. For example, a first access point can be assigned as a primary parent device to a third access point, and a second access point can be assigned as a secondary parent device to the third access point. The third access point can transmit a message to the secondary parent device when the third access point fails to confirm that the primary parent device successfully received the message transmitted by the third access point.

Abstract: Systems and methods of backup battery support for switches and access points in fire detection systems are provided. Methods can include identifying a communications time interval for a plurality of devices, detecting a power failure, identifying a start time for a next scheduled communications time interval for a respective one of the plurality of devices, placing a wireless access point in a low power mode, and, substantially immediately prior to the start time, removing the wireless access point from the low power mode.

Abstract: A wireless fire detection monitoring system comprises a control unit which includes a wireless transceiver and control software to implement a wireless multi-hop communications protocol. A network of battery powered monitoring devices is provided for monitoring alarm conditions. Each monitoring device includes software to implement the wireless communication protocol with one of, the control unit and at least one other child member of the plurality, or, at least two other members of the plurality where a selected device communicates with at least one child device and at least one parent device. The wireless multi-hop communications protocol comprises a time division multiple access communications protocol with the monitoring devices being time synchronized and the control unit and the monitoring devices are adapted to communicate compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard.

Abstract: Systems and method of accuracy mapping in a location tracking system are provided. Methods include identifying a position of at least one location anchor on a site rendering, determining, for a plurality of positions on the site rendering, an estimated error value of location accuracy as a function of position on the site rendering, generating an overlay rendering of the estimated error values of location accuracy for the plurality of position on the site rendering, and the site rendering with the overlay rendering therewith.

Abstract: In an encrypted wireless system, when a wireless node detects that it is having problems, it may be programmed to transmit one or more diagnostic messages without encryption, or with reduced encryption. The transmitted diagnostic messages may be received and interpreted by a technician troubleshooting the system. Once the technician troubleshoots and repairs the system, the affected wireless node may detect that it is operating normally, and may cease transmitting the unencrypted, or reduced-encryption, diagnostic messages. In most cases, the wireless system does not need any particular input to initiate the unencrypted, or reduced-encryption, diagnostic message transmissions.

Abstract: A wireless location-based gas detection system and method includes a gas detector for wirelessly detecting location information associated with a hazardous gas event. The gas detector includes one or more remote gas sensors that monitor for the occurrence of a gas event and wirelessly communicates information with respect to the location of the event in association with time information to a server or location manager. A wireless communication device in association with one or more location anchor points periodically and under event conditions, transmits the location information and the gas concentration level. A location engine calculates an estimated location of the gas detector based on information received from the wireless communication device and provides the location data to the location manager. The location manager records the gas concentration level, the estimated location, and the time information and stores this information within a database.

Abstract: A system for sharing secure keying information with a new device not of a secure wireless network. The keying information may be used for encryption and provided to the new device in a manner which is not susceptible to exposure outside of the secure network. The keying information shared with the new device may be regarded as a birth key. Upon appropriate provision of the birth key, the new device may request with a birth key encrypted message via a communication mode exposed to potential adversaries to be added to the secure network.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for integrating multiple communication systems including multiple wireless communication protocols into a single system are discussed. In an illustrative example, a communication system includes a device adapted to communicate via first and second wireless communication protocols. The system may further include local area network or other wired sub-network, with the device adapted for first and second protocols also being adapted to operate using the local area network or other wired sub-network.

Abstract: Wireless communication systems using transmitter initiated communications methods. Several devices in the system listen by following a common frequency hopping sequence. When communication is desired, a transmitting device sends a request to send signal to an addressee; if available, the addressee sends a clear to send signal, and the transmitting device and the addressee then perform communications using a separate frequency hopping sequence. Methods for adding new devices are also included. In an example, a new device uses a discovery frequency hopping sequence to ping a number of frequencies until the common frequency hopping sequence is discovered. In another example, a new device listens on a single frequency forming part of the common frequency hopping sequence until the common frequency hopping sequence overlaps the single frequency.

Abstract: Wireless communication systems using transmitter initiated communications methods. Several devices in the system listen by following a common frequency hopping sequence. When communication is desired, a transmitting device sends a request to send signal to an addressee; if available, the addressee sends a clear to send signal, and the transmitting device and the addressee then perform communications using a separate frequency hopping sequence. Methods for adding new devices are also included. In an example, a new device uses a discovery frequency hopping sequence to ping a number of frequencies until the common frequency hopping sequence is discovered. In another example, a new device listens on a single frequency forming part of the common frequency hopping sequence until the common frequency hopping sequence overlaps the single frequency.

Abstract: Wireless devices, systems and approaches or methods having the capability of determining the location of a given wireless device. An example system includes a wireless device that generates at least one pulse as a part of an output signal, and the at least one pulse is captured by anchor devices and used, in a time of arrival approach, to determine the location of the example device. The at least one pulse may be generated during a designated portion of an otherwise normally modulated message. Another example system includes an anchor node that generates a directional output signal, the direction output signal including data indicating its direction, and the directions of output signals from plural anchor nodes when pointed at a wireless device are used to determine the location of the wireless device. Combinations of the pulse and directional antenna systems, devices used within each of these systems, and approaches associated with these systems are also included.

Abstract: Wireless devices, systems and approaches or methods having the capability of determining the location of a given wireless device. An example system includes a wireless device that generates at least one pulse as a part of an output signal, and the at least one pulse is captured by anchor devices and used, in a time of arrival approach, to determine the location of the example device. The at least one pulse may be generated during a designated portion of an otherwise normally modulated message. Another example system includes an anchor node that generates a directional output signal, the direction output signal including data indicating its direction, and the directions of output signals from plural anchor nodes when pointed at a wireless device are used to determine the location of the wireless device. Combinations of the pulse and directional antenna systems, devices used within each of these systems, and approaches associated with these systems are also included.