Iwics Inc.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Comp. Ltd.

Mosaid Technologies Corporation

Conversant Intellectual Property Management Incorporated

Salbu Research and Development (proprietary) Limited

Salbu Resarch & Development (proprietary) Limited

Salbu Research and Development (proprietary) Limited of Pretoria

James David Larsen

Mark Sievert Larsen

Paul Jonathan Rodman

Gerhard Willem Van Lochem

David Victor Larsen

The invention relates to a network, and a method of operating a network. The network includes a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data between stations via at least one selected intermediate station. Each station transmits probe signals in broadcast fashion to other stations to gather a list of neighbor stations. The stations transmit position data and/or position determining data in at least some of the probe signals. The position data includes data indicative of the absolute or relative position of a station transmitting a probe signal, and the position determining data includes data usable by a station receiving a probe signal to determine the absolute or relative position of the station and/or other stations. Each station maintains position data and/or position determining data received from selected probing stations, and utilizes the data to determine the absolute or relative position of itself and/or other stations. The stations can determine the relative or absolute position of other stations in direct communication with themselves, and also of other stations not in direct communication with themselves.

Position determination of mobile stations in a wireless network

A network, and a method of operating a network. The network includes a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data between stations via at least one selected intermediate station. Each station transmits probe signals in broadcast fashion to other stations to gather a list of neighbor stations. The stations transmit position data and/or position determining data in at least some of the probe signals. Each station maintains position data and/or position determining data received from selected probing stations, and utilizes the data to determine the absolute or relative position of itself and/or other stations. The stations can determine the relative or absolute position of other stations in direct communication with themselves, and also of other stations not in direct communication with themselves.

The invention provides a method of operating a network which comprises a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data directly, or indirectly via one or more intermediate stations, between a requesting station and potential resource providing stations. The method comprises monitoring, at each station, the activity and/or resources of other stations on the network to establish the availability of resources at the other stations, and transmitting, from a requesting station requiring a specified resource, resource request probe signals identifying the specified resource. The resource may be data, connectivity, memory/storage, or another resource. At each station receiving the resource request probe signals, the availability of the specified resource or a portion thereof is determined, and hence whether said station is a potential resource providing station. If such a potential resource providing station has the specified resource or a portion thereof, response data is transmitted directly, or indirectly via one or more intermediate stations, to the requesting station indicating the availability of the specified resource or portion thereof to the requesting station. The requesting station is then given access to the specified resource or portion thereof from at least one resource providing station selected from one or more potential resource providing stations. The invention extends to a network for implementing the method.

Intelligent video, data streaming and access to distributed resources in a wireless network

The invention relates to a network and to a method of operating a network. The network comprises a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data between stations via at least one selected intermediate station. The network further comprises a plurality of levels of stations including a first level comprising user and/or seed stations, a second level comprising auxiliary stations providing access to auxiliary networks, a third level comprising at least one location management station, and a fourth level comprising at least one authentication station. The method comprises transmitting, from or on behalf of a station on the first level requiring authentication, to an authentication station via one or more stations, an authentication request message. In response, the authentication station transmits authentication data to authenticate the station on the first level.

Distributed network management hierarchy in a multi-station communication network

The invention provides a method of operating a communication network and a network itself. The network comprises a plurality of wireless stations, each station being able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit a message comprising a plurality of data packets from an originating station to a destination station via at least one intermediate station. At least some of the stations have a controllable antenna system operable to direct a null selectively. The method includes selecting, at each station, one or more probing channels for the transmission of probe signals to other stations. At stations having a controllable antenna system, the presence of interference on said one or more probing channels is detected, and one or more nulls are selectively directed towards the source or sources of the interference. Typically, a null is directed towards a source of interference where the level of the interference exceeds a predetermined level. Each station transmits neighbor gathering probe signals on the selected probing channel or channels, and other stations which receive the neighbor gathering probe signals from a probing station respond directly or indirectly to thereby indicate to the probing station their availability as destination or intermediate neighbor stations. The presence of the nulls affects the ability of other stations to receive the neighbor gathering probe signals, and the resulting variations in the connectivity between stations provides variations in the availability of neighbor stations to each station.

Adaptive antenna system for diversity and interference avoidance in a multi-station network

The invention relates to a network and to a method of operating a network. The network comprises a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data between stations via at least one selected intermediate station. The network further comprises a plurality of levels of stations including a first level comprising user and/or seed stations, a second level comprising auxiliary stations providing access to auxiliary networks, a third level comprising at least one location management station, and a fourth level comprising at least one authentication station. The method comprises transmitting, from or on behalf of a station on the first level requiring authentication, to an authentication station via one or more stations, an authentication request message. In response, the authentication station transmits authentication data via one or more stations to the station on the first level to authenticate the station on the first level. The authentication station maintains a record of each authenticated station on the first level. A location management station monitors the location of each authenticated station on the first level with respect to its connectivity, whether directly or indirectly, with one or more stations on the second level. Where a station on the first level attempts to communicate with another station on any level and is assisted by a station on another level, the assisting station transmits connectivity data directly, or indirectly via other stations, to the station on the first level and/or to an intermediate station.

The invention relates to a method of operating a communication network, the network comprising a plurality of stations which are able to transmit data to and receive data from one another so that a message comprising a plurality of data packets is sent from an originating station to a destination station via at least one opportunistically selected intermediate station. The method makes use of probe signals transmitted from each station on a selected probing channel to which other stations respond to indicate their availability as destination or intermediate stations. A Request to Send message is sent, with a Clear to Send message returned by an available station. The station with data to send opportunistically selects an available station and the selected station uses a Packet Acknowledge message to confirm successful reception of the transmitted data packet. An End-to-End Acknowledge message is sent by the originating station, directly or indirectly, to confirm receipt of said data packets.

Data transport protocol for a multi-station network

A method of operating a communication network having multiple stations, each able to transmit and receive data, so that the network can transmit a message from an originating station to a destination station via at least one opportunistically selected intermediate station. Stations wishing to transmit data transmit probe signals which are responded to by other stations, thereby to identify available stations. When a station has data to send, it transmits probe signals with Request to Send messages, identifying the data to be sent. When a station receives such data for onward transmission, it transmits its own probe signals with a Request to Send message and including identification information relating to the data. The Request to Send messages are received by other stations in the vicinity, so that they serve as an implied acknowledgement of the receipt of the data by the forwarding station without the need for sending explicit confirmation.

Implied acknowledgement data transport protocol for a multi-station network

The invention relates to a method of operating a communication network, the network comprising a plurality of stations which are able to transmit data to and receive data from one another. The method comprises monitoring, at each station, the transmission path quality between that station and each other station with which that station can communicate. Data corresponding to the monitored path quality is recorded at each station, thereby permitting a transmission power value based on the relevant path quality data to be selected when transmitting data to another station. Thus, the probability of transmitting data to any selected station at an optimum power level is increased. Each station transmits path quality data in its own transmissions as well as local noise/interference data, so that other stations can obtain path quality data for a particular station even if they are out of range of that particular station. The invention extends to communication apparatus which can be used to implement the method.

Power adaption in a multi-station network

The invention relates to a method of operating a communication network, the network comprising a plurality of stations which are able to transmit data to and receive data from one another. The method comprises defining a first probing channel for the transmission of probe signals to other stations. Other stations which receive the first probe signals from a probing station indicate to the probing station their availability as destination or intermediate stations. A neighbor table comprising details of these other available stations is maintained at each station. Also, second probe signals are sent and received from stations in the neighbor table and a gradient table comprising data related to the cost of communicating with each neighbor station is maintained at each station, thereby to allow each station to select a predetermined number of intermediate stations for onward transmission of data from an originating station to a destination station at minimum cost.

Probing method for a multi-station network

A packet radio network comprises at least one network operator station and a number of user stations. The user stations transmit message data to one another, either directly or via intermediate stations. When stations are first activated, they transmit key request messages to the network operator station. Other, authenticated stations in the network will not communicate with the new station, but will pass the key request message to the network operator station. The network operator station transmits the necessary keys back to the new station via the other stations to permit the new station to operate. Each user station transmits key probe signals from time to time which advise other stations of its public key.

Secure packet radio network

The invention provides a method of operating a communication network. The network comprises numerous stations, each of which can transmit and receive data in order to transmit messages from originating stations to destination stations opportunistically via intermediate stations. Each station selects one of a number of possible calling channels to transmit probe signals to other stations. The probe signals contain data identifying the station in question and include details of its connectivity to other stations. Other stations receiving the probe signals respond directly or indirectly, thereby indicating both to the probing station and other stations their availability as destination or intermediate stations. The probing station evaluates the direct or indirect responses to identify other stations with which it can communicate optimally. For example, the stations may monitor the cumulative power required to reach another station, thereby defining a power gradient to the other stations, with stations selecting a route through the network which optimizes the power gradient. Thus, data throughput through the network is maximized with minimum interference and contention between stations.

Method of operation of a multi-station network

A method of relaying data between mobile stations in a cellular communications system is provided. The system comprises a number of mobile stations and base stations. Each base station makes synchronization transmissions within its area of covers, which define a broadcast control channel for the transmission of broadcast data from the base station to mobile stations within the area of coverage. The synchronization transmissions are received at mobile stations within the area of coverage, which extracts data defining the broadcast control channel, and at least one calling channel on which mobile stations can transmit probe data to one another. The probe data is used by the mobile stations to obtain connectivity information relating to the availability of other mobile stations. The synchronization transmissions also contain data which is used to define at least one traffic channel which is used by the mobile stations to relay message data between themselves. Effectively, the method of the invention provides a hybrid system which combines conventional cellular technology with opportunistic relaying technology.

Routing in a multi-station network

A cellular network comprises a plurality of mobile stations and a plurality of base stations. The base stations are located so that each base station has a zone of effective coverage which does not overlap with the zones of effective coverage of adjacent base stations leaving zones of reduced coverage between the base stations. When a sender station which is outside the zone of effective coverage of a particular base station wishes to send a message to that base station, the message is relayed by another mobile station to the destination base station. The relaying station may be located within the zone of effective coverage, or in the zone of reduced coverage of the destination base station. The sender station, the destination station and the relaying station(s) can all be mobile stations located in zones of reduced coverage. In the zones of reduced coverage, resources such as transmission power, transmission time-slots and frequency channels are utilized on a reduced basis, effectively sharing the resources between the stations.

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Woodinville, WA, United States of America

James David Larsen