Bae Systems, Inc.

Christopher Mark Dearlove

Alan Manuel Cullen

Peter Noble Hudson

Rania Hamdi Eissa

Kenneth Graham Paterson

Jacob Chroeis Nakamura Schuldt

Graeme Craig Jenkinson

A method of establishing a network by sharing a secret between a first entity (A) and a second entity (B), comprising the steps of: the first entity (A) broadcasting () an ANNOUNCE message announcing its identity and details of other entities it is aware of, wherein each of the other entities of which it is aware is associated with a particular nonce, and the message is encrypted using a broadcast encryption scheme common to the first and second entities (A,B), and; the second entity (B), upon receiving and decrypting the ANNOUNCE message, transmitting () to the first entity (A) a SHARE message, wherein the SHARE message comprises a signcryption of the secret, authenticated using signcryption data associated with the particular nonce associated with the second entity (B).

Secret communications

A method and apparatus for use in an ad hoc network, comprising: a node transmitting an extended allowable hold time value to a further node; the node changing its transmission behavior such that the further node stops receiving transmission from the node for an extended period, for example by pausing transmission at least in the direction of the further node; and the further node treating the link to the node as intact during the extended allowable hold time. The transmitting of the extended allowable hold time value may be performed earlier than a next routine transmission of routine allowable hold time value would have been sent. The method may further comprise the node being instructed to maintain topology information for an extended time.

Ad hoc network with unidirectional link

Growing community of inventors

Essex, United Kingdom

Christopher Mark Dearlove