Abstract: A method for saving energy in a locator apparatus includes calculating an update threshold as a function of energy available in the locator apparatus, movement detection and location detection; performing a location update when the update threshold is exceeded; and transmitting the location update to a server using communication channel selected based on energy efficiency of the communication channel at the time of the transmission. The energy efficiency is determined by measuring received signal strength from each communication channel; adding a predefined protocol overhead to an amount of data of the location update to be transmitted to obtain an actual amount of data of the location update to be transmitted, for each communication channel; performing a conversion from the actual amount of data of the location update to energy required for transmission using each communication channel; and selecting the communication channel having the lowest requirement of energy for transmission.

Abstract: The invention relates to the scheduling of data transfers in a multi-hop packet network. The nodes of the network are adapted to schedule their transmissions according to a common time sequence, recurring in time domain and comprising a control portion for transmission of at least one control packet and a data portion for transmission of data packets. In order to accomplish a simple and controlled way for minimizing delay and delay variation, the network is classified into several levels with respect to a certain node, each level comprising the nodes located at the same distance from said certain node, measured in number of hops along the shortest path in the network. The data portion is further divided into successive reservation periods, each being allocated to transmissions of delay sensitive traffic through the hops between two predetermined neighboring levels so that a data packet can be transferred across the network within a single time sequence.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) modem for a mobile communications device comprises a monitoring circuit; an RF circuit having a demodulator, the RF circuit being for receiving RF signals; a baseband processing unit, for processing baseband signals; and a controller. The RF modem can enter a sleep mode in which the monitoring circuit is operational and the RF circuit and the baseband processing unit are not operational. The controller is responsive to an indication from the monitoring circuit to control the RF modem to enter a monitoring mode in which the RF circuit is operational and the baseband processing unit is not operational. The RF circuit is configured for data reception in the monitoring mode. The controller then controls the RF modem to exit the monitoring mode and to enter a baseband processing mode in which the baseband processing unit is operational to process data signals provided by the RF circuit.

Abstract: A communications system comprising: a first network comprising a plurality of first network subscriber units and a first network sink node unit capable of wireless communication with the first network subscriber units; and a second network geographically at least partly overlapping the first network and comprising a plurality of second network subscriber units and a second network sink node unit capable of wireless communication with the second network subscriber units; and a dedicated connection between the first network sink node unit and a second network unit capable of communication in the second network, whereby a first network subscriber unit may be provided with a communication path to another second network unit.

Abstract: A wireless access network, and an associated method, is formed of multiple tiers to provide for communications between individual nodes. Each tier of the network operates at different frequency ranges and provides for connectivity between selected nodes of the different tiers.

Abstract: The invention is related to an apparatus configured to: monitor a power supply voltage and a transmission power need and adjust transmission power according to the power supply voltage and the transmission power need for prolonging operation time of an electronic device when the power supply voltage is at least the same as a predetermined limiting value set for a power supply voltage of the electronic device.

Abstract: Apparatus, and associated method, by which to synchronize nodes in a wireless mesh network, such as a fixed broadband network or a moving ad-hoc mesh network. Time stamps are added to data packets at a reference node defined pursuant to a pseudo hierarchy. The data packets are communicated by the reference node to a receiving node. The time stamp information is extracted therefrom, to provide an indication of a time reference value from which the time stamp information is formed. Registers are maintained at the nodes with updated values of the timing information, used in time synchronization between the nodes of the mesh network.

Abstract: Apparatus, and associated method, by which to synchronize nodes in a wireless mesh network, such as a fixed broadband network or a moving ad-hoc mesh network. Time stamps are added to data packets at a reference node defined pursuant to a pseudo hierarchy. The data packets are communicated by the reference node to a receiving node. The time stamp information is extracted therefrom, to provide an indication of a time reference value from which the time stamp information is formed. Registers are maintained at the nodes with updated values of the timing information, used in time synchronization between the nodes of the mesh network.

Abstract: The invention relates to the scheduling of data transfers in a multi-hop packet network. The nodes of the network are adapted to schedule their transmissions according to a common time sequence, recurring in time domain and comprising a control portion for transmission of at least one control packet and a data portion for transmission of data packets. In order to accomplish a simple and controlled way for minimizing delay and delay variation, the network is classified into several levels with respect to a certain node, each level comprising the nodes located at the same distance from said certain node, measured in number of hops along the shortest path in the network. The data portion is further divided into successive reservation periods, each being allocated to transmissions of delay sensitive traffic through the hops between two predetermined neighboring levels so that a data packet can be transferred across the network within a single time sequence.

Abstract: Apparatus, and associated method, by which to synchronize nodes in a wireless mesh network, such as a fixed broadband network or a moving ad-hoc mesh network. Time stamps are added to data packets at a reference node defined pursuant to a pseudo hierarchy. The data packets are communicated by the reference node to a receiving node. The time stamp information is extracted therefrom, to provide an indication of a time reference value from which the time stamp information is formed. Registers are maintained at the nodes with updated values of the timing information, used in time synchronization between the nodes of the mesh network.

Abstract: A wireless access network, and an associated method, is formed of multiple tiers to provide for communications between individual nodes. Each tier of the network operates at different frequency ranges and provides for connectivity between selected nodes of the different tiers.