Abstract: A communications network (100) includes a first node (110) and a group of neighboring nodes (110). The first node (110) includes at least one transceiver (340). The first node (110) may observe one or more conditions in at least one of the communications network (100) and the first node (110) and select a sleep mode of a group of sleep modes based on the observed one or more conditions. Each sleep mode of the group of sleep modes may be associated with a different procedure. The first node (110) may power down the at least one transceiver (340) according to the procedure associated with the selected sleep mode.

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: 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: 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: A system provides packet flooding in a network (200) that includes multiple nodes (210). The system may receive a flood packet, select one or more of the nodes (210) as a like number of one or more relays (210), and attach a header to the flood packet. The header may instruct the one or more relays (210) to which of the nodes (210) to send the flood packet. The system may send the flood packet with the attached header to the one or more relays (210). The one or more relays (210) may retransmit the packet such that each of the nodes (210) in the network (200) receives a single copy of the flood packet.

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.

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: A method, a node and a machine-readable medium are provided for dynamically adjusting a beam of an adaptive antenna array (302). A receiving node (101) receives, via a group of antenna array elements (302), a signal from a transmitting node (101). Each received signal from the antenna array elements (101) is digitized and recorded. K+1 output signals are generated from the recorded digitized signal. The k+1 output signals are generated by applying each of a group of weight sets to the recorded digitized signal. Each of the weight sets corresponds to a different one of k known neighboring nodes (101) and a weight set for generating an omnidirectional propagation pattern. Which one of the k+1 output signals to process is determined. The determined one of the k+1 output signals is processed and the packet encoded in the determined one of the k+1 output signals is decoded.

Abstract: A communications apparatus (2) in a communications network (100 or 110) is provided for communication among a plurality of communication apparatuses. The communications apparatus (2) routes messages for neighboring apparatuses. The communications apparatus (2) includes a memory (4, 7 or 8), a processor (3) and a transceiver (6). The memory has a plurality of routing managers (12, 13, and 14) stored thereon, and each manager maintains at least one network table including one or more entries. The processor 3 selects at least one network table from those maintained by the plurality of routing managers (12, 13 and 14) that are stored in the memory (4, 7 or 8), based on an address indicator and/or on a type-of-service of a message. The processor 3 extracts network information from the selected network table or tables. The processor (3) also controls transmission of the message according to the extracted network information. The transceiver (6) transmits and receives messages.

Abstract: A node (105-1) determines a power level for transmitting to a neighboring node (105-2) in a wireless network (100). The node (105-1) receives one or more messages indicating a location of the neighboring node and a type of directional antenna of the neighboring node (105-2) that transmitted the one or more messages. The node (105-1) determines the power level for transmitting to the neighboring node (105-2) based on the location of the neighboring node (105-2) and the type of the directional antenna.

Abstract: A method is provided to operate a communications node (2) in a network including a plurality of nodes. The communications node (2) includes a transceiver (6) to transmit and receive messages. The communications node (2) has at least one communications link with a first node of the plurality of nodes. The method includes the steps of: (i) determining path loss information across the at least one communications link by evaluating power data corresponding to a received signal from the first node; (ii) distributing the path loss information to the network; and (iii) routing messages to the network based on path loss information.

Abstract: A system selects an antenna for transmitting data from a node (105-1) in an ad-hoc, multi-hop, wireless network (100). The system receives a message from another node (105-2) of the wireless network (100), the message including location data associated with the other node (105-2). The system determines an angle from the node (105-1) to the other node (105-2), based on the location data, to produce a determined angle. The system selects an antenna from a plurality of antennas for transmitting data to the other node (105-2) based on the determined angle.

Abstract: A node (105-1) determines a power level for transmitting to a neighboring node (105-2) in a wireless network (100). The node (105-1) receives one or more messages indicating a location of the neighboring node and a type of directional antenna of the neighboring node (105-2) that transmitted the one or more messages. The node (105-1) determines the power level for transmitting to the neighboring node (105-2) based on the location of the neighboring node (105-2) and the type of the directional antenna.

Abstract: A band manager (100) for a frequency-agile network simplifies packet transmission over multiple channels in an ad hoc network or wireless network by acting as a filter between a radio layer (104) and a network layer (102). The band manager (100) selects one channel out of multiple channels for transmitting and receiving packets, thereby taking the channel-decision making responsibility away from the components (e.g., the routing module (206), packet multiplexer (204), clustering module (210)) in the network layer (102). As a result, the radio layer (104) and the network layer (102) transmit and receive packets over a single channel selected by the band manager (100) rather than handling multiple packets over multiple channels. The inventive band manager (100) simplifies a multiple-channel network by making the network layer (102) and radio layer (104) act like a single-channel network.

Abstract: A first wireless node provides a method of avoiding multiple access collision in a wireless network. The system receives a request to send data from a second wireless node (405) and determines if the system is receiving data from a third node (410). The system transmits a non-authorization message if the system is receiving data from the third node (415). If, however, the system is not receiving data from the third node, the system transmits an authorization message to the first wireless node (420). The system receives data from the second node in response to the authorization message (425) and then transmits an acknowledgment message to the second node acknowledging receipt of the data (435).

Abstract: According to the principles of the invention, there is provided a system, apparatus, and method for conserving energy in a mobile station (100) of an ad hoc wireless data network (10). Information concerning motion of the mobile station is obtained, and a rate of motion is used to adjust network parameters such as a beaconing rate (202) and a link change granularity (216). These parameters may be adjusted to reduce network overhead transmissions, and the power usage associated therewith, at appropriate times. In one embodiment, network-related transmissions, such as beacon signals and link state announcements, are reduced when the mobile station is moving quickly.

Abstract: A communications apparatus (2) in a communications network (100 or 110) is provided for communication among a plurality of communication apparatuses. The communications apparatus (2) routes messages for neighboring apparatuses. The communications apparatus (2) includes a memory (4, 7 or 8), a processor (3) and a transceiver (6). The memory has a plurality of routing managers (12, 13, and 14) stored thereon, and each manager maintains at least one network table including one or more entries. The processor 3 selects at least one network table from those maintained by the plurality of routing managers (12, 13 and 14) that are stored in the memory (4, 7 or 8), based on an address indicator and/or on a type-of-service of a message. The processor 3 extracts network information from the selected network table or tables. The processor (3) also controls transmission of the message according to the extracted network information. The transceiver (6) transmits and receives messages.

Abstract: A method is provided to operate a communications node (2) in a network including a plurality of nodes. The communications node (2) includes a transceiver (6) to transmit and receive messages. The communications node (2) has at least one communications link with a first node of the plurality of nodes. The method includes the steps of: (i) determining path loss information across the at least one communications link by evaluating power data corresponding to a received signal from the first node; (ii) distributing the path loss information to the network; and (iii) routing messages to the network based on path loss information.