Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods of operating a wireless network including allocating and assigning frequency channels using a dynamic and distributed process. For example, a network node in an ad hoc wireless network will assign frequency channels to one or more of its transceivers based on at least one of a list of allowed frequency channels and a neighbor-frequency channel list.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a node comprising a processor, a memory including a predefined mapping, the predefined mapping correlating network characteristics to related critical thresholds at which a delivery ratio of the node is close to a maximum level and at which a total number of transmissions by the node is close to a minimum number necessary to achieve the delivery ratio, and a component configured to communicate with one-hop neighbors of the node and configured to determine at least one characteristic of a dynamic network based on information received from the one-hop neighbors of the node, wherein, in reference to the predefined mapping, the processor is configured to identify a critical threshold associated with the at least one characteristic of the network and is configured to transmit a first packet to at least one one-hop neighbor based on the critical threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods of operating a wireless network including allocating and assigning frequency channels using a dynamic and distributed process. For example, a network node in an ad hoc wireless network will assign frequency channels to one or more of its transceivers based on at least one of a list of allowed frequency channels and a neighbor-frequency channel list.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods of operating a wireless network including allocating and assigning frequency channels using a dynamic and distributed process. For example, a network node in an ad hoc wireless network will assign frequency channels to one or more of its transceivers based on at least one of a list of allowed frequency channels and a neighbor-frequency channel list.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a node comprising a processor, a memory including a predefined mapping, the predefined mapping correlating network characteristics to related critical thresholds at which a delivery ratio of the node is close to a maximum level and at which a total number of transmissions by the node is close to a minimum number necessary to achieve the delivery ratio, and a component configured to communicate with one-hop neighbors of the node and configured to determine at least one characteristic of a dynamic network based on information received from the one-hop neighbors of the node, wherein, in reference to the predefined mapping, the processor is configured to identify a critical threshold associated with the at least one characteristic of the network and is configured to transmit a first packet to at least one one-hop neighbor based on the critical threshold.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for communication in a wireless ad hoc network that employs multi-packet reception. The wireless network includes a transmitting node configured to transmit a control packet to a receiving node while other nodes within a transmission range of the transmitting node are involved in ongoing communication. The receiving node is configured to receive the control packet while simultaneously receiving a second packet from a second transmitting node, and to process the control packet without aborting the receiving of the second packet. Methods for transmitting and receiving multiple packets simultaneously are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multinode arrangement that utilizes a plurality of nodes that communicate with each other by RF transmissions and hardwire communications. The use of both hardwire and RF transmission provides the advantages obtained with both forms of transmission.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media consistent with the present invention address this and other needs by providing mechanisms for minimizing an energy cost within a wireless network having a plurality of nodes, including a plurality of transmitting nodes and a plurality of receiving nodes. An energy cost, including at least an overhearing cost, is determined. A transmission power assignment of a transmitting node is then adjusted to reduce the energy cost. These determining and adjusting stages are repeated to reduce the energy cost.

Abstract: A system may place nodes (110) within a non-biconnected network (100) that includes multiple interconnected nodes (110) to achieve biconnectivity within the network (100) and transform the network (100) from a non-biconnected one to a biconnected one. A non-biconnected network is one that necessarily becomes partitioned into two or more disconnected networks if a node in a critical position (termed a “cutvertex” node) should fail or otherwise become unavailable. A biconnected network is one that includes at least one additional network link (sometimes termed an “edge”) between nodes belonging to each of the otherwise potentially disconnected networks for the purpose of maintaining network communication therebetween if and when the cutvertex node fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. To achieve biconnectivity, the system may identify one or more nodes (110) to move and determine the direction and distance to move the one or more nodes (110).

Abstract: In many aspects, the invention relates to systems and methods for synchronizing a communication network, particularly a slotted communication network, having a plurality of nodes. In slotted communication networks, the nodes are configured to transmit or receive data during selected time slots. During a selected time slot, each node transmits a synchronization message that is received by a neighboring node. The neighboring node adjusts its time slot boundary to coincide with the time of receipt of the synchronization message, thereby synchronizing each node with a neighboring node. Such systems and methods are energy efficient, accurate, fast, fault tolerant and easy to implement.

Abstract: The invention relates to communications devices for reduced energy communications in an ad hoc network. The communication device includes a first low-powered transceiver for initiating communications with other communications devices and a second transceiver for transmitting data messages to the other communications devices once communication is initiated. The communication device also includes a communications control processor for determining times at which the other communications devices will be available to receive communications based on scheduling data received from those communication devices. The communications control processor can also take into account requests for reserved bandwidth.

Abstract: A network device (110) includes a forwarding module (230) and one or more network interfaces (240) that may be configured to transmit data units. The forwarding module (230) may be configured to identify one of the network interfaces (240) to transmit a data unit when the data unit is received by the network device (110) or generated by the network device (110), determine one of the network interfaces (240) to transmit the data unit when the data unit is ready to be transmitted by the network device (110), and forward the data unit to the determined network interface (240) for network when the determined network interface (240) is the identified network interface (240).

Abstract: A system (105) determines a power level for transmitting to a neighboring node in a wireless network. The system (105) receives a message indicating a three-dimensional position and orientation of the neighboring node and a type of directional antenna of the neighboring node that transmitted the message. The system (105) determines the power level for transmitting to the neighboring node based on the three-dimensional position and orientation of the neighboring node and the type of the directional antenna.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for communication in a wireless ad hoc network that employs multi-packet reception. The wireless network includes a transmitting node configured to transmit a control packet to a receiving node while other nodes within a transmission range of the transmitting node are involved in ongoing communication. The receiving node is configured to receive the control packet while simultaneously receiving a second packet from a second transmitting node, and to process the control packet without aborting the receiving of the second packet. Methods for transmitting and receiving multiple packets simultaneously are also presented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport protocol and associated methods and stack architectures for improving the energy efficiency of transmitting packets through an ad hoc network. The protocol controls transmissions by taking into account per-packet energy limits, per-node loss tolerances, and/or minimum availability rates determined based on path quality measurements collected by packets traversing the network and application reliability requirements associated with various applications.

Abstract: A remote control device (140, 600) controls the operation of an appliance. The remote control device (140, 600) includes a receiver (320) or transceiver (620), a controller (330, 630), and a transmitter (350, 650). The receiver (320) or transceiver (620) receives a network packet that includes at least one command. The controller (330, 630) analyzes the network packet to determine whether the packet is intended for the remote control device (140, 600). The transmitter (350, 650) outputs a signal to control operation of the appliance based on the command when the controller (330, 630) determines that the packet is intended for the remote control device (140, 600).

Abstract: A remote control device (140, 600) controls the operation of an appliance. The remote control device (140, 600) includes a receiver (320) or transceiver (620), a controller (330, 630), and a transmitter (350, 650). The receiver (320) or transceiver (620) receives a network packet that includes at least one command. The controller (330, 630) analyzes the network packet to determine whether the packet is intended for the remote control device (140, 600). The transmitter (350, 650) outputs a signal to control operation of the appliance based on the command when the controller (330, 630) determines that the packet is intended for the remote control device (140, 600).

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods of operating a wireless network including allocating and assigning frequency channels using a dynamic and distributed process. For example, a network node in an ad hoc wireless network will assign frequency channels to one or more of its transceivers based on at least one of a list of allowed frequency channels and a neighbor-frequency channel list.

Abstract: A network device (110) includes a forwarding module (230) and one or more network interfaces (240) that may be configured to transmit data units. The forwarding module (230) may be configured to identify one of the network interfaces (240) to transmit a data unit when the data unit is received by the network device (110) or generated by the network device (110), determine one of the network interfaces (240) to transmit the data unit when the data unit is ready to be transmitted by the network device (110), and forward the data unit to the determined network interface (240) for network when the determined network interface (240) is the identified network interface (240).

Abstract: A network device (110) includes a forwarding module (230) and one or more network interfaces (240) that may be configured to transmit data units. The forwarding module (230) may be configured to identify one of the network interfaces (240) to transmit a data unit when the data unit is received by the network device (110) or generated by the network device (110), determine one of the network interfaces (240) to transmit the data unit when the data unit is ready to be transmitted by the network device (110), and forward the data unit to the determined network interface (240) for network when the determined network interface (240) is the identified network interface (240).