Abstract: A building control system includes a central coordinator and one or more discrete air conditioner controllers configured to communicate with one or more discrete air conditioner units servicing the building. In some instances, a discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to transition between a sleep mode and an active mode. The discrete air conditioner controller may also be configured to transmit over a mesh network in the active mode and to not transmit over the mesh network in the sleep mode. The discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to transition between the sleep mode and the active mode according to a schedule dictated by the central coordinator. Alternatively, or in addition, the discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to transition between the sleep and active modes in accordance with a beacon signal received from the central coordinator.

Abstract: A building control system that includes a central coordinator and one or more discrete air conditioner controllers configured to communicate with one or more discrete air conditioner units. The discrete air conditioner controller may include a wireless I/O block for receiving signals in a first signal format from the central coordinator and for transmitting signals to the one or more discrete air conditioner units in a second signal format. In some instances, the discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to wirelessly transmit a signal to at least one discrete air conditioner unit in response to receiving a signal from the central coordinator. This configuration may provide a measure of distributed control of the building control system in a cost effective and efficient manner.

Abstract: A building control system includes a central coordinator and one or more discrete air conditioner controllers configured to communicate with one or more discrete air conditioner units servicing the building. In some instances, a discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to transition between a sleep mode and an active mode. The discrete air conditioner controller may also be configured to transmit over a mesh network in the active mode and to not transmit over the mesh network in the sleep mode. The discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to transition between the sleep mode and the active mode according to a schedule dictated by the central coordinator. Alternatively, or in addition, the discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to transition between the sleep and active modes in accordance with a beacon signal received from the central coordinator.

Abstract: A building control system that includes a central coordinator and one or more discrete air conditioner controllers configured to communicate with one or more discrete air conditioner units. The discrete air conditioner controller may include a wireless I/O block for receiving signals in a first signal format from the central coordinator and for transmitting signals to the one or more discrete air conditioner units in a second signal format. In some instances, the discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to wirelessly transmit a signal to at least one discrete air conditioner unit in response to receiving a signal from the central coordinator. This configuration may provide a measure of distributed control of the building control system in a cost effective and efficient manner.

Abstract: A method includes identifying, at a wireless device, transmit and receive link costs respectively associated with transmitting data to and receiving data from one or more neighboring nodes of the wireless device. The method also includes selecting at least one of multiple antennas to be used to further communicate with the neighboring node(s). The at least one antenna is selected using the link costs. At least some of the link costs are identified using link status messages received from the neighboring node(s). For each neighboring node, one antenna can be selected as a unicast antenna for unicast communications with that neighboring node. Also, one antenna can be selected as a broadcast/multicast antenna for broadcast or multicast communications with multiple neighboring nodes. An identity of the at least one antenna selected to communicate with the neighboring node(s) may not be communicated from the wireless device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transceiver configured to transmit wireless signals to and receive wireless signals from wireless nodes associated with an industrial process. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to initiate transmission of the wireless signals and to process data contained in the received wireless signals. The transceiver includes a diversity receiver configured to process the wireless signals from the wireless nodes. The transceiver may be further configured to perform beam-shaping in order to transmit a directional beam to at least one of the wireless nodes. Also, the controller may be configured to perform spatial routing by identifying a target of a wireless transmission and to initiate transmission of the directional beam towards a known or estimated location associated with the identified target.

Abstract: A method includes identifying, at a wireless device, transmit and receive link costs respectively associated with transmitting data to and receiving data from one or more neighboring nodes of the wireless device. The method also includes selecting at least one of multiple antennas to be used to further communicate with the neighboring node(s). The at least one antenna is selected using the link costs. At least some of the link costs are identified using link status messages received from the neighboring node(s). For each neighboring node, one antenna can be selected as a unicast antenna for unicast communications with that neighboring node. Also, one antenna can be selected as a broadcast/multicast antenna for broadcast or multicast communications with multiple neighboring nodes. An identity of the at least one antenna selected to communicate with the neighboring node(s) may not be communicated from the wireless device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transceiver configured to transmit wireless signals to and receive wireless signals from wireless nodes associated with an industrial process. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to initiate transmission of the wireless signals and to process data contained in the received wireless signals. The transceiver includes a diversity receiver configured to process the wireless signals from the wireless nodes. The transceiver may be further configured to perform beam-shaping in order to transmit a directional beam to at least one of the wireless nodes. Also, the controller may be configured to perform spatial routing by identifying a target of a wireless transmission and to initiate transmission of the directional beam towards a known or estimated location associated with the identified target.