Abstract: Techniques are provided for reliably distributing network management information in and ad hoc multi-hop wireless network which includes a number of existing nodes. A first node selects a particular timeslot in a dedicated channel based on the network management information received from the neighbor nodes and determines, via a contention channel, if the particular timeslot is being used by any neighbor nodes of the first node. If the particular timeslot is determined to be unused, then it is assigned to the first node for periodically transmitting network management information.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling an ad-hoc communication network to maintain connectivity with the mobile nodes in the network in an effective and efficient manner with minimal overhead. The system and method enables an ad-hoc communication network to maintain connectivity between intelligent access points of the network and mobile nodes in the network while performing an on-demand protocol. The system and method further uses an improved distance vector routing algorithm and unicast messages, to thus avoid an increase routing advertisement frequency in the network while keeping network overhead at a minimum. The system and method also modifies the Ad Hoc On-Demand Distance Vector Routing (AODV) protocol to facilitate smooth handoff of subscriber devices in an ad-hoc communication network while also eliminating unidirectional links between nodes in the network.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining mobility of a first node in an ad hoc network. A particular node generates a fixed neighbor node table comprising second nodes in the area of the particular node which are not mobile. The particular node can monitor changes between the first node and the second nodes, and then determine if the first node is mobile based on the changes.

Abstract: A method and system for routing data in a wireless network (400) that enables all nodes (106, 402, 404, 406, 408) to find routes to each other even if the nodes are incapable of operating as a router to route packets received from other nodes (106, 402, 404, 406, 408). The meshed nodes (106, 402) which are capable of performing packet routing act as proxy nodes for their associated non-meshed nodes (STA 13-STA 15) to route packets from their associated non-meshed nodes (STA 13-STA 15) to destination nodes. Some of the meshed nodes further operate as intelligent access points (106) to provide the non-meshed nodes and other meshed nodes with access to other networks, such as the Internet (402).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for multihop packet forwarding within a multihop wireless communication network. The method uses a data frame format including at least the four address fields to forward packets in a multihop wireless network. The method includes generating a route request packet at a routable device in response to receiving a packet destined for an unknown destination. The route request packet includes an originating device field including an address of an originating device, wherein the originating device generated the packet originally; and a source field, wherein the source field includes an address of the first routable device which generated the route request packet.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining mobility of a first node in an ad hoc network. A particular node generates a fixed neighbor node table comprising second nodes in the area of the particular node which are not mobile. The particular node can monitor changes between the first node and the second nodes, and then determine if the first node is mobile based on the changes.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing information to a group of nodes over a medium. Before transmitting information to the group of nodes, a source can analyze factors to determine transmission reliability of a first transmission technique and a second transmission technique and generate an analysis result. Based on the result of this analysis, the source can select one of the first transmission technique and the second transmission technique for providing the information to the group of nodes over the medium.

Abstract: A node (200) includes a processor (201) for determining neighbor nodes in a routing path to a destination based on a routing table associated with the node (200). The node (200) includes a memory for storing a first authenticated tokens. The node includes a transmitter (203) for transmitting a first request-to-route (RTR) message including an indication specifying information units (IUs) from the first node to the neighbor nodes in a routing path from the first node to the destination. The node (200) includes a receiver (205) for receiving a neighbor reply message from one of the neighbor nodes to the first node which indicates that the neighbor node will route the information units (IUs). The transmitter (203) transmits a second authenticated tokens from the first node to one of the neighbor nodes. The second authenticated tokens are converted into a tradable entity and provide compensation to the neighbor node selected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electing broadcast relay nodes (520B, H, M) in an ad hoc network (500). Each node (520A-520O) generates an attribute message including associated parameters. Each node (520A-520O) generates a weighted value (WV) based on the parameters. The WV can be included in the attribute message for that node, can provide a metric for ranking that node to be nominated to be a broadcast relay node, can alternatively provide a probability measure for that node to probabilistically elect itself as a broadcast relay node. The broadcast manager node (520C) receives the attribute messages and elects at least one nominated node as a broadcast relay node (520B, H, M) based on the attribute messages. Each node (520A-520O) can also initiate election of an intermediate broadcast relay node if that node fails to receive a test message within a predetermined time.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the capacity of a wireless network (100, 300) including a plurality of access points (APs) (106, 305) and a plurality of nodes (200), at least one of said nodes (200) and at least one of said APs (106, 305) including multiple radios (310), the method comprising: (i) determining the routing metrics to one of said APs through each radio interface that is common between one of the nodes and that AP; (ii) selecting the radio interface whose routing metrics meet a desired criteria for packet stream transmission between the at least one node and the AP; and (iii) transmitting at least one packet stream from the node to the AP through the selected radio interface.

Abstract: A system and method for improving a current wireless communication route, between a source node and a destination node in an on-demand wireless communication network, enables the current communication route to be improved even when the current route has not failed. The method includes analyzing at a local node a packet transmission from the source node, the packet transmission comprising a current route metric (step 705). The local node then determines that it can provide an improved wireless communication route, between the source node and the destination node, having a better route metric than the current route metric (step 710). A route improvement message is then transmitted from the local node to the source node (step 740).

Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a node (300) in an ad hoc network to deterministically decide whether to relay broadcast information to another node in the ad hoc network. The node (300) receives broadcast information and measures received signal strength (RSS) of the broadcast information. The node (300) may determine if the measured RSS is below a low threshold, and if so, can relay the broadcast information to neighbor nodes. Otherwise, the node (300) can also determine if the measured RSS is above a high threshold, and if not, wait for a waiting period before relaying the broadcast information to the neighbor nodes. The node (300) may dynamically adjust the low threshold by decreasing the low threshold as the number of neighbor nodes increases and may dynamically adjust the high threshold by increasing the high threshold as the number of neighbor nodes decreases.

Abstract: A system and method for message exchanges in a wireless communication network which minimize network overhead and offers fast determination of Coordinates of a device. A system and method controls a node to exchange small, structured messages with one or more reference nodes requesting the Coordinates of the reference node, which are then used in a periodic evaluation of time of flight messages from that reference node for determination of Coordinates of the node.

Abstract: A system and method for using an ad hoc surrogate device (103, 103?) for reporting a service abnormality where the surrogate mobile device operates on a second communications system, such as a cellular telephone system, to collect and deliver diagnostic or other service abnormality information from a first communications system using Bluetooth, WiFi or the like. Any device utilizing Bluetooth or WiFi can be modified to fulfill the need for reporting service problems without the use of telemetry or other continuous monitoring systems.

Abstract: A method and system for indicating wireless interconnectivity between at least two electronic devices is useful for configuring wireless networks. The method includes activating at each device a wireless networking communication interface (step 305). At least one other device is then identified at each device (step 310). It is then determined at each device whether a wireless communication channel is operative with an identified at least one other device (step 315). An alarm is then triggered at each device that does not have a wireless communication channel operative with an identified at least one other device (step 320).

Abstract: An improved system and method for discovering and maintaining multiple routes in a wireless communication network (100), in particular, a wireless multi-hopping ad-hoc peer-to-peer communication network (100). The system and method use a combination of proactive and reactive routing protocols to effectively and efficiently discover and maintain multiple routes between nodes (106, 107).

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting packets in a network (100). A node (102, 106, 107) in the network (100) accesses uses one of a plurality of medium access techniques for transmitting packets on the network (100). The node (102, 106, 107) separates packets to be transmitted into classes based on at least one characteristic of the packets and selects one of the medium access techniques for each class of packets based on whether the medium access technique provides improved transmission efficiency for the at least one characteristic of the packets in the class. The node (102, 106, 107) transmits the packets in each respective class using the respective selected medium access technique.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the dissemination of Routing packets, and decreasing the latency in finding routes between nodes (SD1 through SD5). The system and method provides message exchanges between wireless devices (SD1 though SD5, IAP 130) to determine optimized communication routes with a minimum of overhead messages and buffered data. Exchanged messages are reduced to a specific series of exchanges indicating destination, destination node detection, and route, preferably using a series of IAP devices. Routes are discovered in an efficient manner and latency in finding routes between nodes (SD1 though SD5) is reduced, thereby reducing buffered information levels at individual devices.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the dissemination of Routing packets, and decreasing the latency in finding routes between nodes. The system and method provides message exchanges between wireless devices to determine optimized communication routes with a minimum of overhead messages and buffered data. Exchanged messages are reduced to a specific series of exchanges indicating destination, destination node detection, and route, preferably using a series of IAP devices. Routes are discovered in an efficient manner and latency in finding routes between nodes is reduced, thereby reducing buffered information levels at individual devices.

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.