Abstract: A system and method for enhancing media access control (MAC) address privacy in a multi-hop wireless network, comprising providing at least one node which generates a temporary MAC address for itself for use in the network by at least one other node, and which ensures that the temporary MAC address is unique among other nodes in the network prior to using the temporary MAC address.

Abstract: A system and method for routing packets in a multihopping wireless communication network (100). The system and method selects a node (106-1) of the wireless network (100) to operate as an aggregation point, at which two or more possible routes for transmitting packets or packet fragments from a source mobile node (102-1) to a destination mobile node (102-2) meet. A primary route is selected based on historical quality of one or more links between nodes (102, 106, 107), and one or more secondary routes are selected based on the success rate of packets reaching the aggregation point.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving crest factor (CF) reduction for multi-carrier modulation in a wireless communication network (100), such as an ad-hoc peer-to-peer multi-hopping mobile wireless communication network (100). The system and method use the properties of the Inverse Fourier Transform (TFT) for achieving crest-factor reduction. Specifically, the system and method map original signal input frequencies to a new set of frequencies by mapping every input frequency to some other input frequency, and then using the IFT to create multiple versions of the transmitted signal and then computing the transform with the lowest CF and selecting that signal for transmission.

Abstract: A system and method for locating and using multiple routes to transmit sub-packets of data from a source node to a destination node in an ad-hoc network, thus preventing intermediate nodes in any one transmission path from intercepting a useful amount of information. The system and method routes communications between a source node and a destination node via multiple routes, selected in a random fashion. Further protection is achieved by breaking data packets into sub-packets requiring reassembly at the destination node.

Abstract: A system and method to control congestion in a multihopping wireless communication network (100). The system and method distribute the congestion information back to the ingress points (106) and traffic source nodes (102, 106, 107) in the network (100) through the actual route of the data flow that contributes to the congestion. The system and method therefore avoid bottleneck points (102-5) in the network (100) to reduce congestion. The system and method can be used for packet-based, route-based or flow-based traffic shaping in a multihop wireless network (100) employing different media access control (MAC) and routing layer protocols. Moreover, the system and method is capable of distributing congestion and service differentiation information between different interfaces in the network (100).

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating at least one communication link between a transmitting node and a receiving node in a communications network. The system and method perform the operation of assigning respective link quality values to the respective communication links based on a transmit power level (TPL) value at which the respective data packets were transmitted by the transmitting node over the respective links, a received sensitivity (RS) value of the receiving node receiving the data packets, and a receive signal strength indication (RSSI) value provided by the network for each respective link. Based on the link quality values, the system and method can determine whether additional data packets are to be sent by the transmitting node to the receiving node via the communication link. Specifically, the link having the highest link quality value is selected.

Abstract: A system and method that creates an abstraction of the physical layer of a wireless communication network (100), in particular, a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer communication network (100), and that normalizes the feedback from the physical layer to enable multiple types of nodes (102, 106, 107) in the wireless network to operate using a common wireless routing protocol. This routing protocol uses a link quality metric to determine the best route regardless of how it actually chooses the route or disseminates such link quality information. The generalized routing metric can be derived for any node (102, 106, 107), regardless of its relative performance or its media access control (MAC) technology. The system and method also create a transaction summary that can be used for link adaptation and link quality estimation to determine, for example, future data rates, link quality/routing metrics, and transmit powers.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the quantity of training symbols in a transmission sequence sent by a terminal (102, 106, 107) in a wireless network (100). The transmission sequence include training symbols and data symbols. The system and method determine the number of data symbol errors which are close to training symbols in the transmission sequence, determine the number of symbol data errors which are far from training symbols in the transmission sequence, and adjust the quantity of training symbols in the transmission sequence based on a result of a comparison of the ratio of the number of data symbol errors which are close to training symbols to the number of data symbol errors which are far from training symbols.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a mobile user terminal in an ad-hoc packet-switched wireless communications network to selectably operate as a router for other mobile user terminals in the network based on certain criteria. The user terminal comprises a transceiver and a controller. The transceiver is adapted to transmit wireless communications data, such as packetized data, addressed to a destination user terminal, to at least one other user terminal for routing by that other user terminal to the destination user terminal. The controller is adapted to prevent the transceiver from transmitting the wireless communications data to that particular other user terminal based on routing data pertaining to an ability of the other user terminal to route said wireless communications data to the destination user terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for medium access control (MAC) protocol which controls transmissions in wireless devices to at least substantially comply with specific absorption rate (SAR) limits. The system and method of MAC protocol uses “source-based” time averaging measurements of transmitter “on-times” and an integral of transmission power to direct transmitter duty-cycle such that SAR limits are met. The system and method monitors and controls topology-dependent functions of a node transceiver, including transceiver duty cycle, transceiver transmit power levels and transceiver power-time products, using a automatic transmission control protocol (ATP) to vary functions to maintain specific absorption rate (SAR) limits for handheld and portable devices which are used close to human bodies. In cases in which SAR limits are approached, the ATP can direct the transceiver at the device to adjust each function, or combination of functions, to maintain an acceptable SAR limit.

Abstract: A system and method for calculating a routing metric that can select the route providing the best throughput in a multihopping network (100), based on one or more parameters including completion rates, data rates, MAC overhead and congestion. The system and method are capable of selecting a route in a multihopping network (100) having a high throughput, comprising calculating a routing metric at one or more nodes (102, 106, 107), wherein the routing metric enables the one or more nodes (102, 106, 107) to select the route in the network (100). The routing metric can include network information such as the raw data rate, the completion rate, and the media access control overhead and congestion.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the performance of an on-demand routing protocol in a wireless network is provided. The invention provides improved system performance of a wireless network by enabling nodes following an on-demand routing protocol to process (and possibly reply to) route request messages multiple times based on the routing metrics.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for a multicast routing algorithm to work in infrastructure based mesh networks. It chooses access points, fixed infrastructure gateway nodes connected to each other and/or the global internet via a wired/wireless backbone, as a group of local multicast group leaders to form a multicast group leader cloud. Each local multicast group leader is elected on-demand according to the local multicast group member's request. Each local multicast group leader forms a local multicast tree rooted at this leader connecting all multicast group members associated with the AP. The processes of electing and maintaining local multicast trees rooted at APs enable efficient coordination with underlying unicast routing to exploit the advantages of fixed infrastructure nodes. Therefore, routing overhead and multicast tree convergence time are reduced. The method can support large networks with fast topology change due to fast convergence and reduced routing overhead.

Abstract: A first time division multiplex (TDM) time slot is provided which is defined as a bi-directional channel for use in a TDM network including a source node and a destination node. The source node can transmit data to the destination node in a first portion of a first TDM time slot. In one implementation, a second portion of the same first TDM time slot can be reserved for the destination node to transmit information to the source node. The destination node can determine whether the data from the source node has arrived properly, and then transmit an indication message to the source node in the second portion of the same first TDM time slot to indicate whether the data from the source node has arrived properly at the destination node.

Abstract: A system and method for automated visual tracking of assets (302), such as personnel or vehicles, using location measurements and ad-hoc routing algorithms employed in a wireless multihopping communication network (100). The system and method comprise a plurality of imaging devices (300) that are deployed about an area and provide image information to at least one workstation (304) that displays the images based on the image information. In particular, as an asset (302) moves, the workstation (304) switches from displaying an image of the asset (302) captured by an imaging device (300) away from which the asset (302) is moving to displaying an image of the asset (302) captured by an imaging device (300) toward which the asset (302) is moving.

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 to avoid and control the bottleneck points in multi-hop wireless ad-hoc networks is described. This is achieved by using the overheard RTS/(N)CTS information to compute a weighted combination of the node's and neighbors weighted queue size. Rate limiting factor can be distributed by using ACK messages in case RTS/CTS is not enabled while node weight values can be distributed in DATA messages. Furthermore, rate limiting is based on two metrics that eliminate the problems of drop-tail schemes. Priority levels may be used for selective rejection to provide availability for emergency and system packets.

Abstract: A system and method enables an ad-hoc communication network to maintain connectivity between intelligent access points and nodes. The method includes: broadcasting an access point advertisement from a sender node to wireless routers; deciding by the wireless routers whether to use the sender node as a next hop towards the intelligent access point based on routing criterion associated with the wireless routers and contents of the access point advertisement; transmitting a unicast route request from the wireless routers to the intelligent access point; transmitting a unicast route reply from the sender node to the wireless router in response to receiving the unicast route request; storing a route entry associated with the intelligent access point in the wireless router; and periodically broadcasting a hello message from the wireless router to the nodes identifying the route from the wireless router to the intelligent access point using the stored route entry.

Abstract: A system and method for management of communication links between nodes in a wireless communication network (100). The system and method perform the operations of estimating an expected rate of change in the characteristics pertaining to communication over a communication link in the network (100), and assigning a value associated with the link based on the expected rate of change. The system and method also adjust the rate of change of the value associated with the link based on the condition of the link.

Abstract: A system and method for providing geographic location information to of at least one fixed reference device in a wireless network, the method comprising: determining a geographic location of the at least one fixed reference device within an image, such as a Geographic Information System (GIS) image, where the GIS image comprises a plurality of pixels each having an absolute geographic location value associated with it, and where the geographic location of the at least one fixed reference device is defined with respect to the absolute position values associated with at least one pixel that is proximal to an image of the at least one fixed reference device within the GIS image; and providing the determined geographic location information to the at least one fixed reference device.