Abstract: A wireless communication system comprises one or more control units operable to transmit control signals, a plurality of actuators responsive to the control signals, and a plurality of sensors operable to transmit sensor data used by the one or more control units in generating the control signals. Each of the sensors, actuators, and one or more control units are located at a fixed position in the system relative to one another. Each of the plurality of sensors and each of the plurality of actuators are coupled to at least one of the one or more control units via a plurality of wireless paths. Each of the plurality of sensors are operable to transmit the sensor data in an assigned time slot to at least one of the one or more control units over a plurality of wireless channels in each of the plurality of wireless paths.

Abstract: A method of routing a packet in an ad-hoc network is provided. The method provides a packet at a first node, the first node being one of a plurality of nodes. A destination node is determined for the packet, the destination node being one of the plurality of nodes. Configuration information is also provided, the configuration information representing the location of each of the plurality of nodes. Finally, at least one forward node in a direction towards the destination node is selected based on the configuration information, and packets are sent to the at least one forward node.

Abstract: A method of communicating among vehicles in a convoy or otherwise in close proximity is provided. The method includes initiating an internet protocol layer on a wireless hub of a first vehicle. The first vehicle also synchronizes with at least a one other vehicle having a wireless hub. A voice signal is received at the first vehicle. The voice signal is then converted into packets. Finally, the packets are sent from the wireless hub of the first vehicle to the wireless hub of the at least one other vehicle using a networking protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining spatio-temporal data for a given area (e.g., an airspace) containing a given node (e.g., an aircraft) and one or more other nodes (e.g., aircraft). The given aircraft may break the given airspace into a first plurality of smaller airspaces, and may also break the given airspace into a second plurality of smaller airspaces. The given aircraft may then detect local spatio-temporal data for each smaller airspace located within its detectable range. The aircraft may also receive remote spatio-temporal data for the smaller airspaces from the one or more other aircraft. Thereafter, the aircraft may update stored spatio-temporal data based on the aircraft's navigation data, the local spatio-temporal data, the remote spatio-temporal data, and/or a reliability of the data. Further, the aircraft may transmit the stored spatio-temporal data for receipt by the one or more other aircraft.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a node comprises a plurality of IEEE 1394 subnet interfaces for communicating over a plurality of IEEE 1394 buses. Each of the plurality of IEEE 1394 subnet interfaces comprises a respective IEEE 1394 physical layer and IEEE 1394 link layer for communicating over a respective one of the plurality of IEEE 1394 buses. At least the IEEE 1394 physical layers for the plurality of subnet interfaces do not share hardware. The node further comprises at least one programmable processor that executes software that comprises common network layer functionality that interacts with all of the plurality of IEEE 1394 subnet interfaces and routes IEEE 1394 data packets among the plurality of IEEE 1394 buses.

Abstract: A method of routing packets in an ad-hoc network is provided. The method determines a hop count for a route. Then, a redundancy value is calculated based on the hop count. A plurality of packets containing identical payload information is then sent down a number of routes equal to the redundancy value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of nodes and an IEEE 1394 bus. Each of the plurality of nodes comprises at least one IEEE 1394 interface for communicating over the IEEE 1394 bus. The plurality of nodes communicates over the IEEE 1394 bus in accordance with a rooted, half-binary tree topology. In another embodiment, a node comprises an IEEE 1394 interface to communicate over an IEEE 1394 bus. The node encapsulates logical data packets into IEEE 1394 data packets and maps a traffic class associated with each logical data packet to an IEEE 1394 class of service for the IEEE 1394 data packet into which that logical data packet is encapsulated.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining spatio-temporal data for a given area (e.g., an airspace) containing a given node (e.g., an aircraft) and one or more other nodes (e.g., aircraft). The given aircraft may break the given airspace into a first plurality of smaller airspaces, and may also break the given airspace into a second plurality of smaller airspaces. The given aircraft may then detect local spatio-temporal data for each smaller airspace located within its detectable range. The aircraft may also receive remote spatio-temporal data for the smaller airspaces from the one or more other aircraft. Thereafter, the aircraft may update stored spatio-temporal data based on the aircraft's navigation data, the local spatio-temporal data, the remote spatio-temporal data, and/or a reliability of the data. Further, the aircraft may transmit the stored spatio-temporal data for receipt by the one or more other aircraft.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining spatio-temporal data for a given area (e.g., an airspace) containing a given node (e.g., an aircraft) and one or more other nodes (e.g., aircraft). The given aircraft may break the given airspace into a first plurality of smaller airspaces, and may also break the given airspace into a second plurality of smaller airspaces. The given aircraft may then detect local spatio-temporal data for each smaller airspace located within its detectable range. The aircraft may also receive remote spatio-temporal data for the smaller airspaces from the one or more other aircraft. Thereafter, the aircraft may update stored spatio-temporal data based on the aircraft's navigation data, the local spatio-temporal data, the remote spatio-temporal data, and/or a reliability of the data. Further, the aircraft may transmit the stored spatio-temporal data for receipt by the one or more other aircraft.

Abstract: A wireless communication system comprises one or more control units operable to transmit control signals, a plurality of actuators responsive to the control signals, and a plurality of sensors operable to transmit sensor data used by the one or more control units in generating the control signals. Each of the sensors, actuators, and one or more control units are located at a fixed position in the system relative to one another. Each of the plurality of sensors and each of the plurality of actuators are coupled to at least one of the one or more control units via a plurality of wireless paths. Each of the plurality of sensors are operable to transmit the sensor data in an assigned time slot to at least one of the one or more control units over a plurality of wireless channels in each of the plurality of wireless paths.

Abstract: A system and method for laser source detection. An exemplary embodiment of the system includes a first array of lenses, a second array of opto devices (including light sources and light detectors), and at least one processor. By positioning the array of lenses to determine the lens position at which energy from an incoming laser is greatest on the light detectors, the approximate location of the laser source may be determined. Upon determining the source, responsive action may be taken. If the incoming laser is from a friendly party, a friendly-party notification may be provided. If the incoming laser is from an enemy, reciprocal targeting or false reflections may be employed.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining spatio-temporal data for a given area (e.g., an airspace) containing a given node (e.g., an aircraft) and one or more other nodes (e.g., aircraft). The given aircraft may break the given airspace into a first plurality of smaller airspaces, and may also break the given airspace into a second plurality of smaller airspaces. The given aircraft may then detect local spatio-temporal data for each smaller airspace located within its detectable range. The aircraft may also receive remote spatio-temporal data for the smaller airspaces from the one or more other aircraft. Thereafter, the aircraft may update stored spatio-temporal data based on the aircraft's navigation data, the local spatio-temporal data, the remote spatio-temporal data, and/or a reliability of the data. Further, the aircraft may transmit the stored spatio-temporal data for receipt by the one or more other aircraft.

Abstract: A method of routing packets in an ad-hoc network is provided. The method determines a hop count for a route. Then, a redundancy value is calculated based on the hop count. A plurality of packets containing identical payload information is then sent down a number of routes equal to the redundancy value.

Abstract: A method of routing a packet in an ad-hoc network is provided. The method provides a packet at a first node, the first node being one of a plurality of nodes. A destination node is determined for the packet, the destination node being one of the plurality of nodes. Configuration information is also provided, the configuration information representing the location of each of the plurality of nodes. Finally, at least one forward node in a direction towards the destination node is selected based on the configuration information, and packets are sent to the at least one forward node.

Abstract: A system and method for laser source detection. An exemplary embodiment of the system includes a first array of lenses, a second array of opto devices (including light sources and light detectors), and at least one processor. By positioning the array of lenses to determine the lens position at which energy from an incoming laser is greatest on the light detectors, the approximate location of the laser source may be determined. Upon determining the source, responsive action may be taken. If the incoming laser is from a friendly party, a friendly-party notification may be provided. If the incoming laser is from an enemy, reciprocal targeting or false reflections may be employed.

Abstract: Network reference models and configuration tools utilizing a database engine providing deduction facilitate automatic or semi-automatic configuration of security software packages based on security policies. One or more associated databases provide a central repository of information about the network and its security goals. The associated databases may further provide a central repository of information about network events, such as possible attacks and benign events that could be confused with attacks. Taken together, the database engine and associated databases facilitate automated generation of detailed security goals. The security goals can then be used by various configuration modules to configure security software packages installed within the network.