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: 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: 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: 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: 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 process control system having wireless nodes (field devices, routers, wireless gateways, etc.) communicating with enhanced throughput using frequency hopping. The frequency channel using which each node transmits is determined by frequency agility/frequency hopping technique. Multiple nodes then transmit the packets in their respective channels, but in overlapping duration. In one embodiment such a technique is employed in combination with TDMA, with the boundaries of time slots being ‘global’ (same for all the nodes in the network) and thus the overlapping duration equals the duration of the time slot. In an alternative embodiment employed in combination of SDMA, each node transmits in a (substantially) non-overlapping corresponding beam area, but without reference to global boundaries. In yet another alternative embodiment, a combination of SDMA, TDMA and overlapping duration is used.