Abstract: A key fob includes a transceiver to send and receive signals, a memory to store a key fob identification (KFID), and a processor coupled to said transceiver and memory. The processor is to execute, along with a pairing device, an identification (ID) authenticated key agreement protocol based on the KFID to authenticate a pairing device and to generate a common secret encryption key known only by the processor and the pairing device. The Processor receives a control unit identification (CUID) encrypted by the pairing device with the common secret encryption key, execute along with the control unit associated with the CUID an ID authenticated key agreement protocol based on the CUID to authenticate the control unit, generates a second common secret encryption key known only by the processor and the control unit, and receives an operation key encrypted by the control unit with the second common secret encryption key.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for setting up, modifying and tearing down an up-stream communication session in a basic service set (BSS) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), so that the communication session has a defined Quality of Service (QoS). Regarding setting up an up-stream communication session, a first Path message and a first Resv message (Path/Resv message) of a RSVP protocol are detected at a designated subnet bandwidth manager (DSBM) in a station having a point coordinator (PC). The first Resv message originates from a RSVP agent of a host outside the BSS, and is a request for setting up an up-stream session between a source non-PC station in the BSS and the PC station. A QoS parameter set and a classifier from the first Path/Resv message for the session are extracted at the DSBM.

Abstract: A key fob-control unit pairing device that includes a transceiver to transmit and receive signals, a memory to store a key fob identification (KFID) and a control unit identification (CUID), and a processor coupled to said transceiver and memory. The processor is to authenticate the key fob using identification (ID) authenticated key agreement protocol based on the KFID, and to transmit an encrypted CUID to the key fob.

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing or preventing interference between wireless networks is disclosed. A network hub broadcasts a beacon signal within repeating beacon periods. The position of the beacon signal shifts within each beacon period based upon a predetermined pseudo-random sequence. The beacon signal includes data identifying the current beacon shift sequence and the current phase of the sequence. Neighboring hubs independently or jointly determine and broadcast their own beacon shift sequences and phases for their respective networks from a predetermined list. Nodes connected with the network hubs are assigned allocation intervals having a start time that is set relative to the beacon signal. The start time and duration of the allocation interval wraps around the beacon period if the allocation-interval would otherwise start or continue in a next beacon period.

Abstract: A method and system for a quality of service (QoS) point coordinator (PC) for a basic service set (BSS) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is disclosed. For example, the PC includes a QoS management entity (QME) and an admission control entity (ACE). The QME receives at least one reservation request message that characterizes one of a QoS session and QoS application (session/application) that can be of a continuous/periodic flow type that is time sensitive, or can be of a discontinuous/bursty flow type that is time tolerant. The reservation request message contains at least one QoS parameter set and requests a resource of a communication channel in the BSS for the QoS session/application.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a pairwise temporal key (PTK) between two devices based on a shared master key and using a single message authentication codes (MAC) algorithm is disclosed. The devices use the shared master key to independently compute four MACs representing the desired PTK, a KCK, and a first and a second KMAC. The Responder sends its first KMAC to the Initiator, which retains the computed PTK only if it verifies that the received first KMAC equals its computed first KMAC and hence that the Responder indeed possesses the purportedly shared master key. The Initiator sends a third message including the second KMAC to the Responder. The Responder retains the computed PTK only if it has verified that the received second KMAC equals its computed second KMAC and hence that the Initiator indeed possesses the purportedly shared master key.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a variety of medium access and power management methods are disclosed. A defined frame structure allows a hub and a node to use said methods for secured or unsecured communications with each other. Contended access is available during a random access phase. The node uses an alternate doubling of a backoff counter to reduce interference and resolve collisions with other nodes attempting to communicate with the hub in the random access phase. Non-contended access is also available, and the hub may schedule reoccurring or one-time allocation intervals for the node. The hub and the node may also establish polled and posted allocation intervals on an as needed basis. The node manages power usage by being at active mode at times during the beacon period when the node is expected to transmit or receive frames.

Abstract: A system and method for providing communications between a hub (medical controller) and a node (an implant) are disclosed. The hub selects an operating channel within a channel group in accordance with applicable regulations, and transmits signals to facilitate communications with nodes. A node sequentially tunes to individual channels within the group, monitoring each channel for a hub transmission during a monitoring period. If a hub transmission is detected, the node stays on the current channel. Otherwise, the node tunes to a next channel in the channel group. The hub transmission may be directed to unconnected nodes, to a single connected node, or to a group of connected nodes. The node transmits a first frame to the hub at a designated transmission time and receives a response. The node reports an emergency by sequentially transmitting emergency frames on each of the channels until receiving an acknowledgment from the hub.

Abstract: A method and system for a quality of service (QoS) point coordinator (PC) for a basic service set (BSS) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is disclosed. For example, the PC includes a QoS management entity (QME) and an admission control entity (ACE). The QME receives at least one reservation request message that characterizes one of a QoS session and QoS application (session/application) that can be of a continuous/periodic flow type that is time sensitive, or can be of a discontinuos/bursty flow type that is time tolerant. The reservation request message contains at least one QoS parameter set and requests a resource of a communication channel in the BSS for the QoS session/application.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method to accommodate clock drift and guard time in a distributed fashion. A first device is adapted to communicate with a second device. A clock in the first device is synchronized to a clock in the second device using beacon or/and acknowledgement frames from the second device. A nominal guard time is computed that accounts for clock drift in the first and second devices during a nominal synchronization interval. An additional guard time is computed that accounts for clock drift in the first and second devices during an additional interval beyond the nominal synchronization interval. An available transmission interval is determined within an allocation interval for transmissions between the devices, wherein the beginning and/or the end of the available transmission interval are selected by accounting for the nominal guard time and/or the additional guard time. One or more frames are transmitted within the available transmission interval.

Abstract: Embodiments support stringent Quality of Service (QoS) requirements using adaptations to the existing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols. In systems using an enhanced BLE protocol, the master send a poll frame at selected connection intervals or poll intervals. The duration of the connection interval and/or poll interval may be calculated based upon desired QoS parameters, such as delay, target packet error rate (PER), frame error rate (FER), and/or jitter. The master may consider the connection interval lost if a frame is not received from the slave after a predetermined number (m) of consecutive poll frames are transmitted. The value m may be set relatively high to provide more robustness in the system. However, the poll interval may also need to be adjusted to meet QoS requirements. The slave may be required to transmit a packet—that may or may not carry data—in response to every mth received poll.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a pairwise temporal key (PTK) between two devices based on a shared master key and using a single message authentication codes (MAC) algorithm is disclosed. The devices use the shared master key to independently compute four MACs representing the desired PTK, a KCK, and a first and a second KMAC. The Responder sends its first KMAC to the Initiator, which retains the computed PTK only if it verifies that the received first KMAC equals its computed first KMAC and hence that the Responder indeed possesses the purportedly shared master key. The Initiator sends a third message including the second KMAC to the Responder. The Responder retains the computed PTK only if it has verified that the received second KMAC equals its computed second KMAC and hence that the Initiator indeed possesses the purportedly shared master key.

Abstract: A system and method for providing wireless communications between a medical controller hub and an implant node are disclosed. The hub transmits signals to facilitate communication connections with the node. The signals include connection invitation polls with identification parameters. A node monitors the hub's transmissions for the connection invitation polls. When a poll is detected, the node compares the identification parameters to a list of preferred identification values. If the received identification parameter is on the preferred list, and the node and hub are not already connected, then the node responds to the connection invitation poll. If the received identification parameter is not on the preferred list, then the node continues to monitor hub transmissions for other connection invitation polls that include identification parameters that are on the preferred list.

Abstract: A system and method for providing communications between a hub (medical controller) and a node (an implant) are disclosed. The hub selects an operating channel within a channel group in accordance with applicable regulations, and transmits signals to facilitate communications with nodes. A node sequentially tunes to individual channels within the group, monitoring each channel for a hub transmission during a monitoring period. If a hub transmission is detected, the node stays on the current channel. Otherwise, the node tunes to a next channel in the channel group. The hub transmission may be directed to unconnected nodes, to a single connected node, or to a group of connected nodes. The node transmits a first frame to the hub at a designated transmission time and receives a response. The node reports an emergency by sequentially transmitting emergency frames on each of the channels until receiving an acknowledgment from the hub.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a variety of medium access and power management methods are disclosed. A defined frame structure allows a hub and a node to use said methods for secured or unsecured communications with each other. Contended access is available during a random access phase. The node uses an alternate doubling of a backoff counter to reduce interference and resolve collisions with other nodes attempting to communicate with the hub in the random access phase. Non-contended access is also available, and the hub may schedule reoccurring or one-time allocation intervals for the node. The hub and the node may also establish polled and posted allocation intervals on an as needed basis. The node manages power usage by being at active mode at times during the beacon period when the node is expected to transmit or receive frames.

Abstract: An expanded sequence number is added to PDUs in a Bluetooth® low energy system. The expanded sequence number provides more accurate identification of the PDUs and allows the system to avoid delaying transmission of PDUs while retransmitting other PDUs. A PDU security sequence number may also be added to the PDUs. The security sequence number is used to create a unique nonce for use in encrypting or decrypting and authenticating the PDU. Using the security sequence number, a failed connection can be reestablished between two devices without the need of generating an encryption key. The security sequence number allows the devices to perform encryption or decryption and authentication using an existing key and a nonce generated from the security sequence number.

Abstract: A multiple access communication protocol that includes an uplink and a downlink channel is disclosed. The uplink channel has a plurality of frames, such that each frame has a first selectable number of minislots and a second selectable number of slots. A reservation request of a first type is sent into a first selected minislot of a selected frame of the uplink channel when information of a first type is to be sent. The reservation request of the first type requests an assignment for at least one slot for transmitting information of the first type in at least one frame that is subsequent to the selected frame. A reservation request of a second type is sent into a second selected minislot of the selected frame when the second selected minislot is available in the selected frame and when information of a second type is to be sent.

Abstract: A system and method for providing wireless communications between a medical controller hub and an implant node are disclosed. The hub transmits signals to facilitate communication connections with the node. The signals include connection invitation polls with identification parameters. A node monitors the hub's transmissions for the connection invitation polls. When a poll is detected, the node compares the identification parameters to a list of preferred identification values. If the received identification parameter is on the preferred list, and the node and hub are not already connected, then the node responds to the connection invitation poll. If the received identification parameter is not on the preferred list, then the node continues to monitor hub transmissions for other connection invitation polls that include identification parameters that are on the preferred list.

Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed for providing quality of service (QoS)-driven channel access within a basic service set (BSS) in a wireless local area network (WLAN). A contention control (CC) frame is sent from a point coordinator (PC) of the BSS during a contention-free period (CFP) of a superframe that includes the contention-free period (CFP) and a contention period (CP). The CC frame contains information relating to at least one of a priority limit for a next centralized contention interval (CCI), a length of the next CCI, a permission probability associated with the next CCI and information relating to a reservation request (RR) frame successfully received by the PC in a previous CCI. A non-colliding RR frame is then received at the PC in the CCI following the CC frame. The received RR frame is sent from a non-PC station in the BSS when at least one centralized contention opportunity (CCO) is available during the CCI after the CC frame.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods implement aggregation frames and allocation frames. The aggregation frames include a plurality of MSDUs or fragments thereof aggregated or otherwise combined together. An aggregation frame makes more efficient use of the wireless communication resources. The allocation frame defines a plurality of time intervals. The allocation frame specifies a pair of stations that are permitted to communicate with each other during each time interval as well as the antenna configuration to be used for the communication. This permits stations to know ahead of time when they are to communicate, with which other stations and the antenna configuration that should be used. A buffered traffic field can also be added to the frames to specify how much data remains to be transmitted following the current frame. This enables network traffic to be scheduled more effectively.