Abstract: A system for monitoring the contents of a closed container includes one or more sensors for monitoring the container contents, a signal receiving element positioned, and a processing system. The signal receiving element receives sensor data from the sensors. The processing system has a memory for storing predetermined conditions and a control element for analyzing received sensor data by comparing the received sensor data to stored predetermined conditions. The control element includes capabilities for declaring a security alert based on the comparison. The communications system includes a first transceiver inside the closed container for receiving signals containing sensor data from within the container and for transmitting those signals outside of the container, and a satellite transceiver, physically linked to the first transceiver and disposed outside the closed container, for receiving signals from the first transceiver and for forwarding the received signals via satellite uplink to a remote location.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the status of a container for transporting goods, wherein the container includes sensors includes receiving data at a processing system within the container from at least one sensor within the container, implementing a controller within the processing system for comparing the received sensor data against a predetermined condition stored in a memory of the processing system, initiating a message from the controller in response to comparison between the received sensor data and the predetermined-condition related to the measured sensor data, and transmitting the initiated message as an RF signal from within the container to a satellite transceiver element outside the container, thereby initiating unprompted communication from inside of the container, wherein the RF signal is transmitted outside of the container via a passive antenna system.

Abstract: A shipping container that facilitates communications between wireless communication devices within the shipping container and an external network includes a keyhole communication device that is adapted for wireless communications with the external network and that includes first and second housing components. The first and second housing components together form an integrated housing structure that extends through a small opening in a wall of the shipping container, with the first housing component being disposed exterior to the shipping container and the second housing component being disposed interior to the shipping container. A first antenna is disposed within the first housing component for communications via a first communications protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol. A second antenna also may be disposed within the first housing component for communications via a second communications protocol, such as a cellular communications protocol.

Abstract: A shipping container that facilitates communications between wireless communication devices within the shipping container and an external network includes a keyhole communication device that is adapted for wireless communications with the external network and that includes first and second housing components. The first and second housing components together form an integrated housing structure that extends through a small opening in a wall of the shipping container, with the first housing component being disposed exterior to the shipping container and the second housing component being disposed interior to the shipping container. A first antenna is disposed within the first housing component for communications via a first communications protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol. A second antenna also may be disposed within the first housing component for communications via a second communications protocol, such as a cellular communications protocol.

Abstract: A shipping container that facilitates communications between wireless communication devices within the shipping container and an external network includes a keyhole communication device that is adapted for wireless communications with the external network and that includes first and second housing components. The first and second housing components together form an integrated housing structure that extends through a small opening in a wall of the shipping container, with the first housing component being disposed exterior to the shipping container and the second housing component being disposed interior to the shipping container. A first antenna is disposed within the first housing component for communications via a first communications protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol. A second antenna also may be disposed within the first housing component for communications via a second communications protocol, such as a cellular communications protocol.

Abstract: A method for node communication in a mobile ad hoc network, which network includes a plurality of wireless mobile nodes and a plurality of wireless communication links connecting the nodes together, includes the steps of transmitting node condition information from a given mobile node using a signal; determining a node condition of the given mobile node, where the node condition includes priority of information to be transmitted by the given mobile node; and varying the signal by changing a transmission characteristic based upon changes in priority of information to be transmitted by the given mobile node.

Abstract: A radio frequency communication device includes a receiver; a transmitter; an interface for receiving one or more sensor signals based on sensor-acquired data that is indicative of a predetermined condition; and electronic components. The electronic components are arranged and configured such that the device operates in at least two states. In the first state, the device responds to a Present Broadcast by making a Present Response. In the second state, the device does not respond to a Present Broadcast with a Present Response. The electronic components further are arranged and configured such that the device enters the second state from the first state upon responding to a Present Broadcast with a Present Response, and such that the device enters the first state from the second state upon receiving, through the interface, one or more sensor signals based on sensor-acquired data that is indicative of a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining a position of a wireless communication device. A method includes determining a respective (x,y) position of two wireless communication devices, determining a distance between the two wireless communication devices, and determining a relative elevational differential between the two wireless communication devices. The relative elevational differential is determined based on the determined (x,y) positions of the two wireless communication devices and the determined distance between the first and second wireless communication devices. The (x,y) positions may be determined using GPS receivers incorporated in the wireless communication devices. Determining the distance between the devices may be accomplished using RF ranging. The relative elevational differential may be derived using the Pythagorean theorem.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining a position of a wireless communication device. A method includes determining a respective (x,y) position of two wireless communication devices, determining a distance between the two wireless communication devices, and determining a relative elevational differential between the two wireless communication devices. The relative elevational differential is determined based on the determined (x,y) positions of the two wireless communication devices and the determined distance between the first and second wireless communication devices. The (x,y) positions may be determined using GPS receivers incorporated in the wireless communication devices. Determining the distance between the devices may be accomplished using RF ranging. The relative elevational differential may be derived using the Pythagorean theorem.

Abstract: A wireless sensor network for monitoring of a container includes a sensor disposed for monitoring of a container, at least one remote sensor interface, and a gateway. The sensor is configured to acquire data related to the container and communicate sensor data as a function of the acquired data. The remote sensor interface is configured to receive the sensor data communicated from the sensor and wirelessly transmit data relating to the received sensor data. The gateway is configured to receive data related to the sensor data, and transmitted from the at least one remote sensor interface, and is configured to communicate data relating to the sensor data to a network external to the wireless sensor network. The gateway is in at least intermittent electronic communications with the external network.

Abstract: A sensor network for monitoring of a pipeline comprises a sensor disposed for monitoring of a pipeline, the sensor capable of acquiring data related to the pipeline and communicating sensor data; a first remote sensor interface (RSI) comprising a data communications device capable of receiving the sensor data communicated from the sensor, and transmitting data relating to the received sensor data; and a data communications device capable of receiving the data transmitted by the first RSI and transmitting data related to the sensor data directly or indirectly to a network external to the sensor network. The sensor network comprises a common designation network.

Abstract: A sensor network for monitoring utility power lines comprises a sensor disposed for monitoring utility power lines, the sensor capable of acquiring data related to the utility power lines and communicating sensor data; a first remote sensor interface (RSI) comprising a data communications device capable of receiving the sensor data communicated from the sensor, and transmitting data relating to the received sensor data; and a data communications device capable of receiving the data transmitted by the first RSI and transmitting data related to the sensor data directly or indirectly to a network external to the sensor network. The sensor network comprises a common designation network.

Abstract: A method of forming ad hoc RSI hierarchical communication networks among pluralities of wireless transceivers includes assigning to each of the transceivers one or more common designations. A network organization routine of the transceivers operates to establish hierarchical networks based on the transceivers' common designations, resulting in a logical network organization that provides efficiencies for acquiring information from particular transceivers that share a common designation. Each transceiver's common designation is used by a digital processor of the transceiver to selectively receive data packets that are intended for receipt by transceivers sharing the particular common designation. Such a “common designation” network reduces power consumption and signal interference thereby increasing battery life.

Abstract: A method for communicating to a recipient transceiver from a plurality of transceivers located within the broadcast range of the recipient transceiver includes: transmitting a communication at a first power level such that only a first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, the communication including a command causing each of the first group of transceivers not to respond to a subsequent broadcast; and subsequent thereto, transmitting a communication at a second power level greater than the first power level such that a second group of transceivers greater than and including the first group of transceivers receive the broadcast, but such that only a limited number of transceivers of the second group respond to the broadcast, the limited number of transceivers excluding the first group of transceivers. Each of the plurality of transceivers is associated with a respective sensor for acquiring data and transmitting the data to the recipient transceiver.

Abstract: In a wireless network that includes a plurality of nodes, a method of maintaining, by a first node, information regarding communications links between nodes in the wireless network includes: for each communications link that is established with another node, recording an identification of the other node; and for each message received by the first node from the other node through the communications link with the other node, recording a network pathway by which the message has been sent in the wireless network, the network pathway identifying the nodes and the communications links therebetween by which the message has been sent. Another method includes recording, by a server, for each message that is received by the server from the wireless network, a network pathway by which the message has been sent, the network pathway identifying the nodes and the communications links therebetween by which the message has been sent.

Abstract: A system for operating a GPS receiver in a GPS-adverse environment includes a plurality of GPS receivers, a plurality of remote sensor interfaces (RSIs), and a computer management system. The GPS receivers are adapted to determine positional parameters based on the GPS satellite signals. A first set of GPS receivers is able to accurately determine its positional parameters and a second set of GPS receivers is unable to do so. Each RSI is associated with a respective GPS receiver. The RSIs are communication nodes in an ad hoc wireless network. The computer management system identifies a GPS receiver that is not accurately determining its positional parameters, and in response, causes GPS information to be provided from one of the first set of GPS receivers to the identified GPS receiver. The identified GPS receiver then determines its positional parameters accurately using the provided GPS information.

Abstract: A tactical GPS denial/denial detection system includes a plurality of GPS detection/denial devices, a gateway, and a computer management system. Each GPS detection/denial includes a GPS receiver for determining positional parameters based on the GPS satellite signals, a GPS denier, which may be selectively activated, for disrupting reliable operation of GPS receivers, and a remote sensor interface adapted to extract the GPS parameters from the GPS receiver and to effectuate the activation of the GPS denier. The remote sensor interfaces and the gateway are communication nodes in an ad hoc wireless network. The gateway receives the GPS parameters from the remote sensor interfaces and communicates instructions to the remote sensor interfaces to selectively activate the GPS deniers. The computer management system receives the extracted GPS parameters from the gateway and analyzes the GPS parameters to detect whether an active GPS denial device is present in the vicinity of the system.

Abstract: In a wireless network that includes a plurality of nodes, a method of communicating a message from an originating node, intended for receipt by a destination node, via one or more intermediate nodes, includes the steps of: (a) communicating with just a single node within the communications range of the originating node—including sending the message and the known network pathway—if a network pathway to the destination node is known by the originating node, the single node being the first intermediate node identified in the known network pathway; and (b) communicating with one or more first intermediate nodes within the communications range of the originating node—including sending the message—if a network pathway to the destination node is unknown by the originating node.

Abstract: A selective GPS denial system includes a plurality of GPS deniers for disrupting reliable operation of GPS receivers, a plurality of remote sensor interfaces, a gateway, and a computer management system. Each of the plurality of GPS deniers may be selectively activated. Each remote sensor interface is associated with a respective GPS denier such that each remote sensor interface effectuates the activation of the respective GPS denier. The plurality of remote sensor interfaces and the gateway are communication nodes in an ad hoc wireless network. The gateway communicates instructions to one or more of the plurality of remote sensor interfaces to selectively activate the GPS denier respectively associated therewith. The computer management system is disposed in communication with the gateway and controls the instructions communicated by the gateway, thereby selectively controlling which GPS deniers are activated.

Abstract: An all weather housing assembly for protection of electrical components includes a first housing having an open end and defining a first compartment for receipt therein of electronic components; a cover attached to the first housing for enclosing the first compartment, the cover further including a mounting structure for receiving and retaining a power source which structure is mounted on a side of the cover that is exterior to the enclosed first compartment; and a second housing having an open end and defining a second compartment that is dimensioned to cover and protect a power source when received and retained by the mounting structure of the cover, the second housing being connected to the first housing independent of the attachment of the cover to the first housing.