British Telecommunications Public Limited Company

British Telecommunications Corporation

Christopher M Roadknight

Ian W Marshall

Mark A Shackleton

Jane E Tateson

David J T Heatley

A method of operating an ad hoc network comprising a plurality of devices (-). Each device includes communication means for communicating with other ones of the plurality of devices when they are in range. The method involves storing on each device one or more nodal policies (-) which specify rules for determining how a device should behave in response to various prevailing circumstances and controlling each device to operate in accordance with one or more of the stored nodal policies. Additionally, each device stores a fitness parameter and adjusts the value of the fitness parameter in dependence upon the level of activity of the device (in particular, activity which is consistent with its stored policies). Additionally, each device monitors the value of its stored fitness parameter and the activity of its communication means and transmits (), to other ones of the devices which are in range () one or more of its stored nodal policies () in the event that its fitness parameter exceeds a threshold of value and its communication means is not required for other purposes.

Nodal policy inclusive techniques for operating an ad hoc network

The present invention relates to a sensing system, in particular to sensing system for sensing undersea seismic events. A vibration sensor is provided for sensing seismic vibrations on the sea bed is provided. The vibration sensor is electrically coupled to a transmitter unit, the transmitter unit being arranged to transmit, in use, an acoustic wave from which the presence of a seismic vibration can be inferred. The acoustic wave modulates light travelling along a nearby optical cable, the modulation being recovered at a distant monitoring station. A flotation arrangement is provide for retaining the transmitter unit in a raised position relative to the sea bed to facilitate the coupling of the acoustic wave to the optical cable.

Sensing system

An emergent network is autonomous at the service level. Network nodes have policies that enable them to process different types of service requests, with the processing earning the nodes 'rewards'. Successful nodes can pass some or all of their policies to other nodes using the evolutionary biology of bacteria as a model.

Communications network

Layered communications network with adaptively distributed nodal policies

An emergent network that is autonomous at the service level. Network nodes have policies that enable them to process different types of service requests, with the processing earning the nodes 'rewards'. Successful nodes can pass some or all of their policies to other nodes using the evolutionary biology of bacteria as a model.

Growing community of inventors

Woodbridge, United Kingdom

Christopher M Roadknight