Abstract:
A method and apparatus for preserving the sequential relationship of a plurality of data packets 310 generated by separate source devices 14 and ordered as a data stream 300, despite transmission over radio channels which introduce ordering errors comprises method steps and apparatus structure for identifying at a first terminal, data packets from within the data stream as a function of source, generating data packet sequence information for identified data packets, storing values corresponding to data packet sequence numbers as a function of source and transmitting data packets, source device identity and packet sequence information to a second terminal having first terminal source device and data packet sequence information. Upon receipt of a first terminal transmission, the second terminal retrieves from second terminal memory, first terminal data packet sequence information and compares the stored data packet sequence information with received data packet sequence information. As a function of the comparison, received data packets are forwarded to an appropriate application for further processing when sequence information sequence numbers compare and stored in an order determined by the sequence information when the sequence numbers do not compare.
Abstract:
An antenna selection technique is used in an RF communication system in which user modules (UM1-UM5) communicate with at least one node (N1-N2). The UM's (UM1-UM5) and nodes (N1, N2) each have multiple antennae. The combination of each UM and node antenna is evaluated at the UM. Based on at least signal quality, the UM (UM1-UM5) selects its antenna and the best node antenna for use. An alternate antenna is selected if a person is determined to be present in a predetermined area adjacent a UM (UM1-UM5) corresponding to a predetermined RF power level.
Abstract:
An RF communication system contains a control module (22) which communicates with a plurality of user modules (20) that are each connected to at least one user device (24). The system provides a means for packet communications in which traditional destination addressed packets (34) are communicated to the specified destination point (24) or user module (20) while also permitting information (52) intended for a plurality of user modules (20) to be broadcast simultaneously to all user modules (20) using a broadcast protocoal (46). The probability of each UM (20) receiving the broadcast packet (46) is enhanced by the transmission by the control module (22) of each broadcast packet (46) over at least several of its directional antennas (A1-A6) and preferably repeated over each antenna (A1-A6) a number of times (R). Packets of data (34) which are longer than a predetermined number of bytes (L) are broken into packet fragments (46).
Abstract:
An access point (108) in a dual-frequency TDD communication system (100) includes a transceiver (122) that transmits information to a first group of subscriber devices (104a-n) at a first frequency (f 1 ) and contemporaneously receives information from a second group of subscriber devices (106a-n) at a second frequency (f 2 ) during at least a portion of a first period of time (T1). The access point (108) also transmits information to the second group of subscriber devices (106a-n) at the second frequency (f 2 ) and contemporaneously receives information from the first group of subscriber devices (104a-n) at the first frequency (f 1 ) during at least a portion of a second period of time (T3). A method for performing a dual-frequency communication scheme is also provided.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for preserving the sequential relationship of a plurality of data packets 310 generated by separate source devices 14 and ordered as a data stream 300, despite transmission over radio channels which introduce ordering errors comprises method steps and apparatus structure for identifying at a first terminal, data packets from within the data stream as a function of source, generating data packet sequence information for identified data packets, storing values corresponding to data packet sequence numbers as a function of source and transmitting data packets, source device identity and packet sequence information to a second terminal having first terminal source device and data packet sequence information. Upon receipt of a first terminal transmission, the second terminal retrieves from second terminal memory, first terminal data packet sequence information and compares the stored data packet sequence information with received data packet sequence information. As a function of the comparison, received data packets are forwarded to an appropriate application for further processing when sequence information sequence numbers compare and stored in an order determined by the sequence information when the sequence numbers do not compare.
Abstract:
A packet transmission system (100) for reducing request traffic contention and the likelihood of resource misallocation includes a communications controller (110) and a plurality of remote requesting units (112) requesting packet transmission services. In response to receipt of a request (302), the controller (110) transmits a grant (306) to a requesting unit (112) when packet transmission resources (304 & 310) are available or a request acknowledgment (306) when packet transmission resources (304 & 310) are unavailable. Each remote unit (112) comprise apparatus structure and method steps for transmitting requests (302) to the controller (110) and starting a first timer having an interval (T) determined as a function of a number (Q) of outstanding requests (302). Upon receipt of an acknowledgement (306), the remote unit (112) starts a second timer having an interval (T1) longer than the interval (T). Upon expiration of either the first timer or the second timer, the remote unit (112) will then and only then transmit a duplicate request (302). By limiting the number of duplicate requests transmitted by a remote unit (112), the present invention operates to reduce request traffic contention and the likelihood of resource misallocation.
Abstract:
An RF communication system contains a control module (22) which communicates with a plurality of user modules (20) that are each connected to at least one user device (24). The system provides a means for packet communications in which traditional destination addressed packets (34) are communicated to the specified destination point (24) or user module (20) while also permitting information (52) intended for a plurality of user modules (20) to be broadcast simultaneously to all user modules (20) using a broadcast protocoal (46). The probability of each UM (20) receiving the broadcast packet (46) is enhanced by the transmission by the control module (22) of each broadcast packet (46) over at least several of its directional antennas (A1-A6) and preferably repeated over each antenna (A1-A6) a number of times (R). Packets of data (34) which are longer than a predetermined number of bytes (L) are broken into packet fragments (46).
Abstract:
An RF communication system contains a control module (22) which communicates with a plurality of user modules (20) that are each connected to at least one user device (24). The system provides a means for packet communications in which traditional destination addressed packets (34) are communicated to the specified destination point (24) or user module (20) while also permitting information (52) intended for a plurality of user modules (20) to be broadcast simultaneously to all user modules (20) using a broadcast protocoal (46). The probability of each UM (20) receiving the broadcast packet (46) is enhanced by the transmission by the control module (22) of each broadcast packet (46) over at least several of its directional antennas (A1-A6) and preferably repeated over each antenna (A1-A6) a number of times (R). Packets of data (34) which are longer than a predetermined number of bytes (L) are broken into packet fragments (46).
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for preserving the sequential relationship of a plurality of data packets (310) generated by separate source devices (14) and ordered as a data stream (300), despite transmission over radio channels which introduce ordering errors comprises method steps and apparatus structure for identifying at a first terminal, data packets from within the data stream as a function of source, generating data packet sequence information for identified data packets, storing values corresponding to data packet sequence numbers as function of source and transmitting data packets, source device identity and packet sequence information to a second terminal having first terminal source device and data packet sequence information. Upon receipt of a first terminal transmission, the second terminal retrieves from second terminal memory, first terminal data packet sequence information and compares the stored data packet sequence information with received data packet sequence information. As a function of the comparison, received data packets are forwarded to an appropriate application for further processing when sequence information sequence numbers compared and stored in an order determined by the sequence information when the sequence numbers do not compare.