Abstract: A process control system or other system includes multiple nodes that communicate using frequency-hopping patterns. Each node may operate using its own frequency-hopping pattern. Each node may also broadcast information identifying its frequency-hopping pattern to other nodes, such as any neighboring nodes. Each node may further receive information identifying the frequency-hopping patterns of any neighboring nodes. The nodes may then operate in a non-synchronized manner and use the frequency-hopping patterns of neighboring nodes to communicate. For example, each node may use the identified frequency-hopping pattern of a neighboring node to synchronize with and communicate data to the neighboring node. In this way, the nodes need not maintain synchronization at all times during operation. Also, different nodes may use different frequency channels at the same time, helping to increase the bandwidth available for wireless communications.

Abstract: A wireless network includes leaf nodes (such as wireless sensors or other wireless devices) and infrastructure nodes (such as access points). The leaf nodes communicate data messages to the infrastructure nodes. The infrastructure nodes communicate the data messages to gateway infrastructure nodes, which transmit the data messages over a wired network. The leaf nodes may communicate data messages to multiple infrastructure nodes in various ways. For example, the leaf nodes may transmit multiple messages, one at a time, to multiple infrastructure nodes. The leaf nodes may also broadcast a single message to multiple infrastructure nodes. In addition, the leaf nodes may communicate a single message containing a group identifier (such as a multi-cast group address) associated with multiple infrastructure nodes. In this way, communications from the leaf nodes may be more reliable. This may be particularly useful, for example, in networks such as 802.11-based networks.

Abstract: A method includes communicating, during a first time slot, with a first wireless node in a wireless network. The method also includes determining that the communication with the first wireless node requires additional time beyond the first time slot. The method further includes identifying a priority associated with the first wireless node and a priority associated with a second wireless node in the wireless network, where the second wireless node is associated with a second time slot. In addition, the method includes communicating, during the second time slot, with the first wireless node when the priority associated with the first wireless node exceeds the priority associated with the second wireless node. The method may also include identifying routes through the wireless network for data associated with the first wireless node and data associated with the second wireless node. The routes may be based on the priorities of the wireless nodes.

Abstract: A wireless network includes leaf nodes (such as wireless sensors or other wireless devices) and infrastructure nodes (such as access points). The leaf nodes communicate data messages to the infrastructure nodes. The infrastructure nodes communicate the data messages to gateway infrastructure nodes, which transmit the data messages over a wired network. The leaf nodes may communicate data messages to multiple infrastructure nodes in various ways. For example, the leaf nodes may transmit multiple messages, one at a time, to multiple infrastructure nodes. The leaf nodes may also broadcast a single message to multiple infrastructure nodes. In addition, the leaf nodes may communicate a single message containing a group identifier (such as a multi-cast group address) associated with multiple infrastructure nodes. In this way, communications from the leaf nodes may be more reliable. This may be particularly useful, for example, in networks such as 802.11-based networks.

Abstract: A wireless network includes a leaf node, which generates a data message. The data message is routed through infrastructure nodes to a gateway infrastructure node, which is coupled to a wired network. A wireless interface module is also coupled to the wired network and communicates with the gateway infrastructure node. Multiple copies of the data message are created in the wireless network due to redundancy mechanisms supported in the wireless network, such as redundant connectivity and redundant message routing. The multiple copies of the data message are received at the gateway infrastructure node or the wireless interface module, which identifies the copies and communicates a single copy of the data message over the wired network to a destination. In this way, the redundancy mechanisms supported in the wireless network are concealed from wired components coupled to the wired network.

Abstract: Methods and devices for operating a wireless network including redundant communication. Methods involving redundantly connected nodes are discussed including addressing methods and/or methods of creating groups for such redundant communication. The use of primary and secondary redundant connections is discussed. Also, devices for implementing such methods.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of antennas, where each antenna is configured to receive wireless signals transmitted using adaptive beam forming. The apparatus also includes a plurality of wireless radios, where each wireless radio is configured to output signals representing the wireless signals received by one of the antennas. The apparatus further includes a plurality of first diversity combiner units, where each first diversity combiner unit is configured to perform spread spectrum diversity combining using the signals output by one of the wireless radios. In addition, the apparatus includes a second diversity combiner unit configured to perform antenna diversity combining using signals output by the first diversity combiner units, where the second diversity combiner unit is configured to output recovered wireless signals.

Abstract: A system includes a wireless leaf node configured to modify operation of an industrial process. The system also includes a plurality of wireless access points configured to transmit data to the wireless leaf node in specified time slots and to receive an acknowledgement from the wireless leaf node in response to successful receipt of the data by the wireless leaf node. Various communication schemes are disclosed for supporting communications between the wireless leaf node and the access points. Each access point could also include a local slot manager configured to assign the specified time slots for that access point to communicate with the wireless leaf node. The wireless leaf node could represent a wireless actuator.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for improved reliability of wireless communications using packet combination-based error correction. For example, a method includes receiving a first message transmitted wirelessly, where the first message contains a first copy of a data packet and has at least one error. The method also includes receiving a second message transmitted wirelessly, where the second message contains a second copy of the data packet and has at least one error. The method further includes identifying a set of bit positions based on where the first and second copies of the data packet differ and modifying the set of bit positions to produce a modified set of bit positions. In addition, the method includes modifying one or more bit values in the modified set of bit positions to produce at least one modified copy of the data packet and determining if the at least one modified copy of the data packet is error-free.

Abstract: Methods and devices for operating a wireless network including redundant communication. Methods involving redundantly connected nodes are discussed including addressing methods and/or methods of creating groups for such redundant communication. The use of primary and secondary redundant connections is discussed. The inclusion of a redundant network in association with a non-redundant network such as a Zigbee® protocol network is discussed. Also, devices for implementing such methods are described.

Abstract: Methods and devices for operating a wireless network including redundant communication. Methods involving redundantly connected nodes are discussed including addressing methods and/or methods of creating groups for such redundant communication. The use of primary and secondary redundant connections is discussed. Also, devices for implementing such methods.

Abstract: A system includes multiple wireless nodes forming a cluster in a wireless network, where each wireless node is configured to communicate and exchange data wirelessly based on a clock. One of the wireless nodes is configured to operate as a cluster master. Each of the other wireless nodes is configured to (i) receive time synchronization information from a parent node, (ii) adjust its clock based on the received time synchronization information, and (iii) broadcast time synchronization information based on the time synchronization information received by that wireless node. The time synchronization information received by each of the other wireless nodes is based on time synchronization information provided by the cluster master so that the other wireless nodes substantially synchronize their clocks with the clock of the cluster master.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transceiver configured to transmit wireless signals to and receive wireless signals from wireless nodes associated with an industrial process. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to initiate transmission of the wireless signals and to process data contained in the received wireless signals. The transceiver includes a diversity receiver configured to process the wireless signals from the wireless nodes. The transceiver may be further configured to perform beam-shaping in order to transmit a directional beam to at least one of the wireless nodes. Also, the controller may be configured to perform spatial routing by identifying a target of a wireless transmission and to initiate transmission of the directional beam towards a known or estimated location associated with the identified target.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an image recorder configured to record video images. The apparatus also includes a display screen configured to present the video images to a user and to create notations overlying one or more of the video images based on user input. The apparatus further includes a transceiver configured to stream the video images over a wireless mesh network and to transmit data associated with the notations over the wireless mesh network. The apparatus could also include components for providing cryptographic keys to wireless nodes joining the wireless mesh network, a sensor for detecting or measuring one or more characteristics, and/or an asset tracker for transmitting or receive signals for identifying a location of the apparatus. The apparatus could further include at least one voice unit supporting bidirectional voice communications and/or a site survey unit for identifying signal strengths associated with detected wireless nodes.

Abstract: A method includes repeatedly transmitting messages from a first wireless node at a transmit power. The method also includes receiving feedback from a second wireless node, where the feedback is based on a quality of reception of at least some of the messages at the second wireless node. The method further includes adjusting the transmit power of the first wireless node based on the feedback to maintain the quality of reception proximate to a setpoint. The feedback could be received from multiple second wireless nodes. The feedback could include quantized values. The quality of reception could include a bit error rate, a packet error rate, and/or a receive signal strength. The quality of reception can be determined for a sliding window associated with a subset of the transmitted messages.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining data to be transmitted wirelessly and detecting if any transmitting devices having a higher priority are currently using at least one of multiple wireless channels. The method also includes transmitting the data wirelessly over the multiple wireless channels in a first specified manner when no transmitting devices having the higher priority are detected. The method further includes transmitting at least a portion of the data wirelessly over the multiple wireless channels in a second specified manner when at least one transmitting device having the higher priority is detected. The data could normally be transmitted using OFDM. When a higher-priority transmitting device is detected, at least a portion of the data could be transmitted using a reduced transmit power and a reduced constellation size and/or larger error correcting code. One or more wireless channels associated with one of two quadrature components could also be suppressed.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a data message having data associated with a process system and mapping the data message to one of multiple classifications. The method also includes wirelessly transmitting the data message, where a Quality of Service (QoS) associated with the transmission is based on the mapping. Mapping the data message could include identifying a type associated with the data message and mapping the data message based on the identified type. The type may include a publish message type, an alert message type, or a management message type. The publish message type could be mapped to an Unsolicited Grant Service (UGS) class, the alert message type could be mapped to a real-time Polling Service (rtPS) class, and the management message type could be mapped to a Best Effort (BE) or non-real-time Polling Service (nrtPS) class. A WiMAX standard could be used to transmit the message, and a WiMAX or WiFi standard could be used to obtain the message.

Abstract: A system includes multiple wireless nodes forming a cluster in a wireless network, where each wireless node is configured to communicate and exchange data wirelessly based on a clock. One of the wireless nodes is configured to operate as a cluster master. Each of the other wireless nodes is configured to (i) receive time synchronization information from a parent node, (ii) adjust its clock based on the received time synchronization information, and (iii) broadcast time synchronization information based on the time synchronization information received by that wireless node. The time synchronization information received by each of the other wireless nodes is based on time synchronization information provided by the cluster master so that the other wireless nodes substantially synchronize their clocks with the clock of the cluster master.

Abstract: A system includes a first cluster having multiple first wireless nodes. One first node is configured to act as a first cluster master, and other first nodes are configured to receive time synchronization information provided by the first cluster master. The system also includes a second cluster having one or more second wireless nodes. One second node is configured to act as a second cluster master, and any other second nodes configured to receive time synchronization information provided by the second cluster master. The system further includes a manager configured to merge the clusters into a combined cluster. One of the nodes is configured to act as a single cluster master for the combined cluster, and the other nodes are configured to receive time synchronization information provided by the single cluster master.

Abstract: A wireless system having an infrastructure node and several leaf nodes in a non-redundant version or having at least two infrastructure nodes and several leaf nodes in a redundant version. Leaf nodes may individually seek out timing information in order to be in synch with an infrastructure node. Upon receipt of synch information from an infrastructure node, the respective leaf node may send data to the infrastructure node. In the case of a redundant system, primary and secondary nodes may be selected from a list of infrastructure nodes. Communications between an infrastructure node and a leaf node may occur on one of a number of channels, and the channel may be changed for communications between the nodes. In the case of a redundant system, a single transmission from the leaf node is received simultaneously by the redundant infrastructure nodes.