Abstract: A range equalization transceiver system (100) for increasing efficiency of a continuous duty communications link includes a first transceiver (105) for transmitting data traffic over a broadband traffic channel and a second transceiver (107) for determining routing information using a discovery channel based on link quality. A controller (103) is used for interpreting routing information from the second transceiver (107) where the controller (103) selects a transmitting scheme based on data traffic conditions on both the broadband traffic channel and link quality channel for sending data over a wireless network.

Abstract: A method for providing secure communications among a plurality of ad hoc devices includes authenticating one or more first devices within a first network; authenticating one or more second devices within a second network; transmitting a group key to the authenticated first devices and to the authenticated second devices; establishing an ad hoc network by at least one of the authenticated first devices and at least one of the authenticated second devices using the group key; and communicating within the ad hoc network among the at least one of the authenticated first devices and the at least one of the authenticated second devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for authenticating a first node M 220M in an ad hoc network 200. Node I 220I can receive a request from node M 220M to join the ad hoc network 200. This request includes, among other things, a biometric input associated with a first user of the node M 220M. Before the node M 220M is permitted to join the ad-hoc network, Node I 220I can authenticate the first user based on the biometric input by determining whether the biometric input matches biometric codes stored in Node I 220I.

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 wide area network assisted multimedia content delivery system (200) includes a first wide area network handset (205) and a second wide area network handset (207) having one or more transceivers (208) for exchanging information over the wide band network as well as multimedia information via an ad hoc communication. A wide area base unit (201) is used for communicating with the first wide area network handset (205) and second wide area network handset (207) where a content distribution broker (203) associated with the wide area base unit (201) is used for brokering multimedia content (audio, video and text data) between the first wide area network handset (205) and the second wide area network handset (207). The transceiver (208) operates to exchange multimedia content in an ad hoc communication directly between the first wide area network handset (205) and second wide area network handset (207) when within a predetermined proximity.

Abstract: A wide area network assisted multimedia content delivery system (200) includes a first wide area network handset (205) and a second wide area network handset (207) having one or more transceivers (208) for exchanging information over the wide band network as well as multimedia content via an ad hoc communication. A wide area base unit (201) is used for communicating with the first wide area network handset (205) and second wide area network handset (207) where a content distribution broker (203) associated with the wide area base unit (201) is used for brokering multimedia content (audio, video and text data) between the first wide area network handset (205) and the second wide area network handset (207). The transceiver (208) operates to exchange content in an ad hoc communication directly between the first wide area network handset (205) and second wide area network handset (207) when within a predetermined proximity.

Abstract: During operation, nodes that receive beacons from a different network will synchronize to the different network when a predetermined condition is met. Synchronization to the differing network will only take place if the node receiving the beacon from a different network does not have access to a fixed network coordinator and the predetermined condition is met. The predetermined condition may comprise such things as a Network ID for the different network being larger than the Network ID for the current network, or alternatively, the size of the different network being larger than a size of the current network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a node (200) within an ad-hoc communication system (100) is described herein. During operation all nodes periodically broadcast a synchronization beacon for other nodes to utilize for synchronization when a coordinating access point (node) is unavailable. A particular node's synchronization beacon will have an associated “tier” number that is incremented from the tier number of the beacon used to synchronize the particular node. In the absence of an access point, a node that joins the ad-hoc communication system will listen for synchronization beacons transmitted by other nodes. If synchronization beacons are heard, the node will synchronize with a beacon having a lowest tier. The node will then broadcast its own beacon having its tier number incremented from the lowest tier beacon heard.

Abstract: Signal-strength measurements are periodically made for all nodes within communication range of a node. The time-varying nature of the signal-strength measurements are taken into account prior to any node being used for routing purposes. More particularly, if the time-varying nature of a node's signal strength indicates that it is traveling at a high speed, the node is not utilized for routing purposes.

Abstract: Nodes (103a-d, 105, 107, 109a-c, 111a-c) in an ad hoc communication network are coordinated. The network includes the node (111b) and one or more neighbor nodes (103a-d, 105, 107, 109a-c, 111a,c). The node (111b) can sleep in a low duty cycle. Further, the node (111b) can awaken, responsive to a schedule; and register with a cluster head (101); listen for one or more neighbors, wherein the at least one neighbor can be active (103a-d, 105, 107) or idle (109a-c, 111a,c); and/or listen for one or more requests from the cluster head (101) or active neighbor(s) (103a-d, 105, 107). Responsive to the request(s), the idle node (111b) can become active on a communication link.

Abstract: A network reconfiguration protocol is provided that is initiated by the congested communication node (300). When a node (300) determines it is a bottleneck node, it will then analyze complaints from other nodes to determine which nodes are being affected by the bottleneck. The congested node will request the reconfiguration of select neighboring communication nodes in the ad hoc network to use an alternate channel (e.g., frequency) for future communications. Because nodes experiencing poor transmission/reception due to a bottleneck node are reconfigured to operate on a different channel, congestion is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for channel assignment within an ad-hoc communication system utilizing multiple channels is provided herein. Individual nodes receive and send route-request (RREQ) packets on all channels rather than a single channel. Each route-request packet comprises a first and a second table. The first table comprises a channel state for the link and the second table comprises a channel quality metric for the link. Each node updates the channel state and channel quality tables and forwards them in the RREQ packet as part of the route-discovery process. When channel selection is made, the channel selection is based on the channel state and the channel quality tables.

Abstract: A method (700), and apparatus (100-600) provide for the establishment of a wireless network connection between a remote unit (110) and a wireless network (130) through a communication unit (120) acting as a relay. In one embodiment an ad-hoc connection (101) is established between the remote unit (110) and the communication unit (120). An identifier (119) associated with the remote unit (110) is adopted by the communication unit (120) for the purpose of authenticating the establishment of a wireless network connection (102) with the wireless network (130), such that a session may be established between the remote unit (110) and the wireless network (130).

Abstract: A communication system (100) is provided that comprises an overlay communication system and an underlay ad-hoc communication system. Route discovery in the ad-hoc communication system takes place by notifying the overlay communication system of the source and destination nodes. The overlay communication system instructs all base stations between the source and destination nodes to instruct all nodes to participate in route discovery.