Abstract: Wireless medium access in a communication network having a number of terminals is controlled by defining protocol message units for transmission by a given terminal which units correspond to operational states of at least one of the terminal and the medium. A number of time slots are allocated for transmission of packets from each terminal, and a number of contention opportunities are defined at the beginning of each time slot. Priority and backoff mechanisms are defined and applied at each terminal during the contention opportunities in the slots. Packets are then transmitted by the terminal within the slots while (1) minimizing the occurrence of empty slots at times when packets are available for transmission, and (2) minimizing the number of slots during which two or more packets are detected on the medium simultaneously at the terminal.

Abstract: A process and system for enhancing connectivity among nodes of a wireless communications network by adapting to changes in the network topology. Nodes of the network are configured to operate according to either (i) an ad hoc protocol wherein a given node assumes a role of a mesh node capable of connecting with other like-configured nodes, or (ii) a point-to-multipoint protocol wherein the given node assumes a role of either a base station, or a subscriber station being served by another node which is assuming the role of a base station. A determination is made as to whether each node should operate according to the ad hoc protocol or the point-to-multipoint protocol, in order to maintain an optimum state of connectivity among all nodes of the network. The determined operating protocol is then implemented for each node.

Abstract: Wireless medium access in a communication network having a number of terminals is controlled by defining protocol message units for transmission by a given terminal which units correspond to operational states of at least one of the terminal and the medium. A number of time slots are allocated for transmission of packets from each terminal, and a number of contention opportunities are defined at the beginning of each time slot. Priority and backoff mechanisms are defined and applied at each terminal during the contention opportunities in the slots. Packets are then transmitted by the terminal within the slots while (1) minimizing the occurrence of empty slots at times when packets are available for transmission, and (2) minimizing the number of slots during which two or more packets are detected on the medium simultaneously at the terminal.

Abstract: A process and system for enhancing connectivity among nodes of a wireless communications network by adapting to changes in the network topology. Nodes of the network are configured to operate according to either (i) an ad hoc protocol wherein a given node assumes a role of a mesh node capable of connecting with other like-configured nodes, or (ii) a point-to-multipoint protocol wherein the given node assumes a role of a either base station, or a subscriber station being served by another node which is assuming the role of a base station. A determination is made as to whether each node should operate according to the ad hoc protocol or the point-to-multipoint protocol, in order to maintain an optimum state of connectivity among all nodes of the network. The determined operating protocol is then implemented for each node.