Abstract: A method, simulator and program for simulating vehicular movement based upon user input parameters related to simulation topology and simulation vehicles including, but not limited to linear vehicular density. The simulator generates the simulation topology having a simulation area using the user input parameters, places a plurality of simulation vehicles within the simulation area at an initial placement using at least two input parameters related to simulation vehicle and the generated simulation topology; and determines movement of the plurality of simulation vehicles starting with the initial placement using a plurality of movement models. Each of the plurality of simulation vehicles has mobility characteristics generated using the plurality of movement models. When vehicle moves outside the simulation area, the vehicle re-emerges at a location within the simulation area. The vehicle re-emerges with new movement characteristics.

Abstract: A hybrid mobile ad-hoc network and a method of operating the same, including a mobile network node and a plurality of static network nodes randomly distributed over a coverage area with a predetermined density. The static network nodes form a static infrastructure backbone of the hybrid mobile ad-hoc network. Position information of the static network nodes, either through position awareness or triangulation with reference to other static nodes enhances the network function. The method tracks mobile node position with a minimum of overhead because of the fixed infrastructure of static nodes. The infrastructure can self-heal by placing excess static nodes in a hibernating state, and activating those in response to the failure of a nearby static node.

Abstract: A method for routing a multicast message comprising the steps of receiving a multicast message including at least a message, a source identifier, a sequence number, a time-to-live value and a multicast group destination, determining if the multicast group destination is in a multicast forwarding table, determining if the message has been previously received, adding the multicast message to the multicast forwarding table if it is determined that the multicast message has not been previously received, determining if a node that received the multicast message is a forwarding node; randomly setting a wait time for forwarding the multicast message; and forwarding the multicast message at the expiration of the wait time.

Abstract: A communications path is established among an ordered sequence of moving nodes, representing vehicles. Available channels may differ from one node to the next node and a node cannot use the same channel for both receiving and transmitting information. Three methods are described that provide an optimal sequence of channel assignments between the nodes. A sequence of channel assignments is called optimal if it establishes a communications path from the first node in the sequence to the last node in the sequence, or, if such a path does not exist, from the first node to the farthest node possible in the sequence. The first method uses a depth-first search starting from the first node in the sequence. The second method uses a “look ahead” scheme in the depth-first search method. The third method requires only a single pass through the sequence of nodes by identifying optimal channel assignments in subsequences of nodes without a need for backtracking.

Abstract: A method of controlling a wireless communication device that is installed in a moving vehicle. The method comprises receiving roadway topology information and vehicle traffic pattern information, receiving vehicle and wireless communication device performance information from a plurality of other moving vehicles, determining current position information for the moving vehicle; determining a first set of metrics for a performance of the wireless communication device installed in the moving vehicle, estimating at least one second metric related to the performance of the wireless communication device or an ad-hoc network which includes each wireless communication device and changing an operation or routing parameter for the wireless communication device based upon the estimation. The second metric is based upon at least a sub-set of the first set of metrics, the received information and the determined current position information for the moving vehicle.

Abstract: A method for routing a multicast message comprising the steps of receiving a multicast message including at least a message, a source identifier, a sequence number, a time-to-live value and a multicast group destination, determining if the multicast group destination is in a multicast forwarding table, determining if the message has been previously received, adding the multicast message to the multicast forwarding table if it is determined that the multicast message has not been previously received, determining if a node that received the multicast message is a forwarding node; randomly setting a wait time for forwarding the multicast message; and forwarding the multicast message at the expiration of the wait time.

Abstract: The present invention offers systems and methods for effective multiple-hop routing, multicasting and media access control for vehicle group communications that employ directional wireless radio technology. Multi-beam optic-wireless media and streamlined operations provide low-overhead communications among vehicles. Systems and methods are provided to maintain a quasi-stationary group of neighboring vehicles, enable high-throughput on-demand switching among multiple vehicles, enable group coding in the vehicle group to achieve higher throughput, and enable dynamic adjustment of link to maintain desirable vehicle group. The proposed solution builds upon the conception of a MAC-free wireless operation and quasi-stationary vehicular switched network to achieve ultra-low-overhead and high-throughput vehicle communications.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing transmission concurrency amongst communicating vehicles using UWB radio-based communication is presented. The method comprises dividing an area around a sending vehicle into transmission areas, and, for each transmission area, broadcasting a message from the sending vehicle, waiting for a time, and when a not clear to send response is not received, sending information to the transmission area, and the information being sent using a time-hopping sequence based on a location and seed in the message. The message can also have a frame length and a target region. The method can also comprise determining, when a no-send is received, whether the no-send was in response to the message from the sending vehicle, and when the no-send is not in response to the message from the sending vehicle, sending the information to the transmission area. The system and method can be used for active-safety vehicle communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing communication of data within a disruption tolerant network. The method comprises of receiving a data packet, said data packet including a context and a state related to said context, storing the data packet to a buffer and disseminating the data packet to neighboring vehicles and RSU, and passing said state to an application, said application associated with said application context. In one embodiment, the method functions as a software protocol within a dashboard computer. The apparatus comprises a processor and a memory operable to receive a data packet, said data packet including a context and a state related to said context, store the data packet to a buffer when the context matches an application context, disseminating the data packet to neighboring vehicles and RSU, and pass said state to an application when the context matches an application context, said application associated with said application context.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a size of a local peer group (LPG) network in a dynamic roadway (mobile) environment is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring a roundtrip time between a first node and a second node, and utilizing the measured roundtrip time to select the size of the local peer group network from a lookup table. In another embodiment, the method comprises determining when the roundtrip time exceeds a time interval of the heartbeat signal, and when the roundtrip time exceeds the time interval of the heartbeat signal adjusting the size of the local peer group network.

Abstract: A method for distributing a packet to a plurality of moving nodes comprising receiving a packet containing at least a message, a sender identifier, a location of a sender, an identifier for a relay node and distance from the sender and the relay node, determining if a node receiving the packet is the relay node and immediately distributing the packet to a plurality of moving nodes if the receiving node is the relay node. If the receiving node is not the relay node, the method further comprises steps of waiting a set period of time, determining if a packet is received from a different sender containing the same message, within the period of time and distributing the packet to a plurality of moving nodes if a packet containing the same message is not received within the period of time. The distributed packet includes an identifier for a successive relay node.

Abstract: A method for distributed traffic navigation in a vehicular network is presented. At each vehicle entering the network, information associated with the vehicular network is acquired and stored, and destination addresses are broadcasted as route requests. At each vehicle in the network, the stored information is updated through vehicle to vehicle communication. At each junction, a header vehicle is selected for listening for broadcasts to determine the presence of a matrix. If the matrix is not present, the matrix is initialized based on the stored information of the header vehicle. The header vehicle further estimates travel time on the road segments based on the matrix, calculates a backlog indicator based on the segment travel time and the route requests. The header vehicle further updates the matrix and generates a route based on the matrix. The matrix is broadcasted from the header vehicle.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a local peer group (LPG) for supporting communications among vehicles. The LPG is formed from a plurality of vehicles. Each vehicle is equipped with a wireless communications device. One of the vehicles is selected as a group header node (GH). The method comprises receiving periodically a heartbeat packet from the GH, the heartbeat packet including a maximum hop count, and a heartbeat cycle, forwarding the heartbeat packet until the maximum hop count is reached after waiting for a first random relay delay, which is less than a maximum allowable adjustable value, replying to the heartbeat packet with a membership report packet, forwarding a membership report packet towards the GH, and adding a vehicle that submitted the membership report packet to a LPG membership as a member node of the LPG if the membership report packet is new or updating information for a member node.

Abstract: A method of controlling a wireless communication device that is installed in a moving vehicle. The method comprises receiving roadway topology information and vehicle traffic pattern information, receiving vehicle and wireless communication device performance information from a plurality of other moving vehicles, determining current position information for the moving vehicle; determining a first set of metrics for a performance of the wireless communication device installed in the moving vehicle, estimating at least one second metric related to the performance of the wireless communication device or an ad-hoc network which includes each wireless communication device and changing an operation or routing parameter for the wireless communication device based upon the estimation. The second metric is based upon at least a sub-set of the first set of metrics, the received information and the determined current position information for the moving vehicle.

Abstract: A system for fall-duplex communication using a single transmitter is presented. The system comprises a base station with a signal and data processor, peripheral detectors each placed at a distance from the transmitting antenna, and a mobile device having at least a dipole antenna having a switch and a loop antenna having a switch, wherein the sending device modulates the shorting state, i.e., the electromagnetic configuration, of the wire and coil antennas using the switches, the modulating resulting in alteration in load at the base station. This alteration can be calculated based on input from the transmitting antenna and the detectors, each input having time coding. The input from the transmitting antenna can be magnitude of propagated signal and the input from each detector can comprise a quantified signal level and the quantified signal level time-delayed by propagation time. The detectors can be peripheral signal level detecting antennas.

Abstract: An ad-hoc wireless network with a roadside network unit (RSU) and a local peer group (LPG). The LPG is formed from a plurality of moving vehicles. The LPG includes a group header node (GH) for managing the LPG. The GH is elected from one of the moving vehicles. The LPG further includes group nodes (GN) designated from the remaining moving vehicles in a given area. Each of the moving vehicles, whether the GH or the GN, communicates with other using routing paths created based upon a first control packet broadcast from the GH and a second control packet broadcast from each of the GN. Each moving vehicle communicates with the RSU using a routing paths created based upon a beacon broadcast by the RSU and a reply signal from each of the moving vehicles. The RSU can also be a member of the LPG and act as GN or GH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the reduction of handoff delays for mobile telematics applications. In particular, the present invention provides a method employing GPS technology to define IP addresses in a mobile environment in order to reduce delays and transient data loss caused by handoff from one network to another.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data in vehicular network comprising determining a communication window between at least two nodes, grouping a plurality of fragments of content together into an aggregate fragment block, forwarding the aggregate fragment block to a target node and assembling the plurality of fragments into the content. The content is divided into the plurality of fragments. A fragment signature is generated for the fragments that contain fragment index information regarding each fragment. Each fragment is unambiguously identified by its signature. A number of fragments grouped into the aggregate fragment block is dependent on the communication window.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the reduction of handoff delays for mobile telematics applications. In particular, the present invention provides a method employing GPS technology to define IP addresses in a mobile environment in order to reduce delays and transient data loss caused by handoff from one network to another.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for improved self-healing in a mobile ad-hoc wireless network in which network communication functions are divided into a plurality of functional layers. The system utilizes cross-layer self-healing techniques. Network data from at least one of the functional layers is stored, for example in a storage unit of the network node. The stored network data is then used to modify the functioning of at least one of the other layers. In one embodiment, a management module manages the storage and use of the network data. In particular embodiments, the stored network data relates to successful transmission rates and/or clear channel rates, and this stored data is used to adjust the transmission power of the network node. In another embodiment, the stored data may be used to generate a table of interchangeable network nodes, which may then be used to reroute a data packet to a network node other than an originally specified destination node.