Abstract: A method includes, in a physical layer of a communication stack of a wireless communication device, receiving a first radio frequency (RF) signal, converting the first RF signal to a first digital data signal, and passing the first digital data signal to a higher communication stack layer. The method also includes, in the physical layer, receiving a second digital data signal from the higher communication stack layer, converting the second digital data signal to a second RF signal, and transmitting the second RF signal. The method further includes, in the physical layer, forwarding a signal, wherein forwarding comprises receiving a third RF signal, converting the third RF signal to a fourth RF signal, and transmitting the fourth RF signal.

Abstract: A method includes receiving wireless signals from a device at a wireless access point associated with a wireless network. The method also includes estimating a location of the device and determining whether the estimated location is within a specified area. In addition, the method includes allowing the device to communicate over the wireless network in response to determining that the estimated location is within the specified area. Estimating the device's location could include estimating a direction of the device with respect to the wireless access point and/or estimating a distance of the device from the wireless access point. Estimating the direction of the device could include using a direction of arrival of at least one wireless message received at the wireless access point from the device. Estimating the distance of the device could include transmitting multiple messages to the device at different power levels and receiving one or more responses from the device.

Abstract: A network includes a plurality of logical access entities. Each access entity includes two or more communication interfaces. The network further includes a plurality of logical node entities. Each logical node entity includes two or more communication interfaces that are configured to wirelessly communicate in a redundant manner with any of the logical access entities. In an embodiment, a communication degradation in the network is assessed, and the network is configured as a function of that assessment to provide fault tolerance within the 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: A network includes a plurality of logical access entities. Each access entity includes one or more communication interfaces. The network further includes a plurality of logical node entities. Each logical node entity includes one or more communication interfaces that are configured to wirelessly communicate in a redundant manner with any of the logical access entities. In an embodiment, a communication degradation in the network is assessed, and the network is configured as a function of that assessment to provide fault tolerance within the network.

Abstract: A network includes a plurality of logical access entities. Each access entity includes two or more communication interfaces. The network further includes a plurality of logical node entities. Each logical node entity includes two or more communication interfaces that are configured to wirelessly communicate in a redundant manner with any of the logical access entities. In an embodiment, a communication degradation in the network is assessed, and the network is configured as a function of that assessment to provide fault tolerance within the network.

Abstract: A method to dynamically reconfigure a network by receiving a data packet for transmission from a node in the network at a media access control layer of the node and determining a slot assignment for the data packet based on an application required quality of service. The application required quality of service is determined based on at least one of a number of slots required by the data packet, an application-specified data rate, an application-specified delay requirement and an application-specified number of reserved retries, and application-associated priority values for the data packet. The media access control layer is enabled for time division multiple access.

Abstract: A method includes receiving wireless signals from a device at a wireless access point associated with a wireless network. The method also includes estimating a location of the device and determining whether the estimated location is within a specified area. In addition, the method includes allowing the device to communicate over the wireless network in response to determining that the estimated location is within the specified area. Estimating the device's location could include estimating a direction of the device with respect to the wireless access point and/or estimating a distance of the device from the wireless access point. Estimating the direction of the device could include using a direction of arrival of at least one wireless message received at the wireless access point from the device. Estimating the distance of the device could include transmitting multiple messages to the device at different power levels and receiving one or more responses from the device.

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 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.

Abstract: Wireless devices, systems and approaches or methods having the capability of determining the location of a given wireless device. An example system includes a wireless device that generates at least one pulse as a part of an output signal, and the at least one pulse is captured by anchor devices and used, in a time of arrival approach, to determine the location of the example device. The at least one pulse may be generated during a designated portion of an otherwise normally modulated message. Another example system includes an anchor node that generates a directional output signal, the direction output signal including data indicating its direction, and the directions of output signals from plural anchor nodes when pointed at a wireless device are used to determine the location of the wireless device. Combinations of the pulse and directional antenna systems, devices used within each of these systems, and approaches associated with these systems are also included.

Abstract: A method includes, in a physical layer of a communication stack of a wireless communication device, receiving a first radio frequency (RF) signal, converting the first RF signal to a first digital data signal, and passing the first digital data signal to a higher communication stack layer. The method also includes, in the physical layer, receiving a second digital data signal from the higher communication stack layer, converting the second digital data signal to a second RF signal, and transmitting the second RF signal. The method further includes, in the physical layer, forwarding a signal, wherein forwarding comprises receiving a third RF signal, converting the third RF signal to a fourth RF signal, and transmitting the fourth RF signal.

Abstract: A wireless network system includes a plurality of nodes. Each node includes two or more redundant network interfaces, and each one of these network interfaces operates on a different channel. A plurality of links couple the nodes together. A layer residing on each of the nodes detects a link status associated with each interface, and switches to a redundant interface of a node when the link degrades beyond a tolerance. The routing and control layer provides redundant non-overlapping routes.

Abstract: A network includes a plurality of logical access entities. Each access entity includes one or more communication interfaces. The network further includes a plurality of logical node entities. Each logical node entity includes one or more communication interfaces that are configured to wirelessly communicate in a redundant manner with any of the logical access entities. In an embodiment, a communication degradation in the network is assessed, and the network is configured as a function of that assessment to provide fault tolerance within the network.

Abstract: A method to dynamically reconfigure a network by receiving a data packet for transmission from a node in the network at a media access control layer of the node and determining a slot assignment for the data packet based on an application required quality of service. The application required quality of service is determined based on at least one of a number of slots required by the data packet, an application-specified data rate, an application-specified delay requirement and an application-specified number of reserved retries, and application-associated priority values for the data packet. The media access control layer is enabled for time division multiple access.

Abstract: Wireless devices, systems and approaches or methods having the capability of determining the location of a given wireless device. An example system includes a wireless device that generates at least one pulse as a part of an output signal, and the at least one pulse is captured by anchor devices and used, in a time of arrival approach, to determine the location of the example device. The at least one pulse may be generated during a designated portion of an otherwise normally modulated message. Another example system includes an anchor node that generates a directional output signal, the direction output signal including data indicating its direction, and the directions of output signals from plural anchor nodes when pointed at a wireless device are used to determine the location of the wireless device. Combinations of the pulse and directional antenna systems, devices used within each of these systems, and approaches associated with these systems are also included.