Abstract: A network combining wireless and wired elements is described, using a multi-slot modular mesh node to house diverse transceiver elements (e.g. IR, Wi-Fi, Powerline). A radio agnostic tree based mesh network is formed, based on what type of wireless links are formed on the uplink and downlink of the backhaul and what type of radios are used for the Access Points AP. In addition to servicing IP based clients (e.g. Wi-Fi, WiMax, Bluetooth), the modular mesh nodes APs may also serve as receivers/collectors for low cost chirp devices. The method of transport is standard IP based packets yet security is inherent in this chirp-based implementation: only mesh nodes are privy to the routing tables that indicate that packet addresses are not IP. Multiple methods to obfuscate packet flow are presented. An organic approach to providing category/class based form of data type identification is proposed, to support a (dynamic) M2M Social Network Applications in-device discovery, registration and control are presented.

Abstract: A tree-shaped mesh network is discussed which uses a mesh of wireless nodes that form a tree shaped network with one root node having a connection to an external network; chirp clients; and wireless network clients. Chirp clients comprise low cost chirp devices wherein said low cost chirp devices transmit short duration messages wherein transmission of said short duration messages are scheduled at preset transmission intervals. At least one wireless node of the mesh of wireless nodes is a designated chirp-aware node wherein said chirp-aware node sets the preset transmission intervals for chirp client communication by broadcasting a beacon prior to transmission by chirp clients and said chirp-aware node further comprises a bridge between the short duration messages and IP based devices wherein said bridge includes a wireless receiver to receive the short duration messages and is connected to said external network.

Abstract: In order to better manage VoIP transmissions between an AP and multiple voice client devices, methods are described that use synchronization techniques combined with packet concatenation to greatly reduce latency and jitter while enabling a much larger number of simultaneous conversations than would otherwise be possible. A TDMA-style methodology is superimposed over the standard CSMA/CA mechanism of 802.11 to provide the benefits of both mechanisms while remaining fully compatible with an industry standard protocol. The synchronization/concatenation mechanism may be optionally used in conjunction with a wireless mesh network to provide enhanced roaming as well as the ability for concatenated VoIP packets to be distributed over a wider area, and in much greater quantity, through the mesh.