Abstract:
A method for locating nodes in a multi-hop sensor network forms a rigid body (RB 1 , RB 2 , RB 3 ) and, from the nodes, utilizes the rigid body to decide if a node is locatable. The method obtains a reduced order model (ROM) of the network by categorizing all of the nodes by location status, grouping them based upon the categorizations, and defining and identifying a rigid body from a group. The method further simplifies determinability of node location by forming the rigid body from the nodes based upon the categorized location status. To locate the nodes, the nodes are separated from one another into subsets dependent upon characteristics ( 100 ). Then, groups are formed from one subset ( 200 ) and the rigid body is formed from a group ( 300 ). The ROM is formed from the rigid body ( 400 ) and a location capability of the rigid body is evaluated based upon the ROM ( 500 ).
Abstract:
A communications network ( 100 ) has coordinator devices ( 10 ) each transmitting a beacon message in a cluster area ( 30 ). Neighboring coordinator devices ( 1, 2 ) define overlap areas ( 60 ) in which each beacon message of the neighboring coordinator devices is present. Neighboring coordinator devices ( 1, 2 ) may also define non-overlap areas ( 204 ) in which each beacon message is present. A method for distributing communication signals includes providing nodes ( 50 ), ( 51,52 ) within a transmission region ( 30 ) of the coordinator devices ( 1, 2 ). The node ( 50 ) or nodes ( 51, 52 ) detect at least one beacon message of the neighboring coordinator devices ( 1, 2 ), determine the existence of a condition ( 302 ), and warn neighboring coordinator devices of the condition. The condition ( 302 ) is corrected by making an adjustment to the communication signal (such as beacon timing) by a correction amount ( 304 ).
Abstract:
A Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) receiver ( 630 ), operating in conjunction with a transmitter ( 606 ) receives a sequence of voice packets representing a speech utterance transmitted over a VOIP wireless interface ( 112 ). A receive packet buffer ( 120 ) buffers the received sequence of voice packets after receipt and before playback of reconstructed speech. A processor ( 650 ), operating under program control, determines a transmission buffer ( 108 ) delay of a first packet in the sequence of packets representing the speech utterance. The control processor ( 650 ) further sets a prescribed amount of delay in the receive packet buffer ( 120 ) based upon the transmission buffer ( 108 ) delay so that the transmission buffer delay+receive buffer delay=a predetermined total delay. The status of the receiver buffer ( 120 ) is monitored and tracked by or fed back to the transmitter side to minimize receive buffer ( 120 ) under-runs by use of CDMA soft capacity ( 200 ), link dependent prioritization ( 300 ), real-time packet prioritization ( 400 ) and/or variation of vocoder ( 624 ) rates ( 500 ).
Abstract:
To enable wireless applications which require the use of location information, a method and apparatus for transmitting location data within an ad-hoc communication system is provided herein. During operation, a portion of a packet payload is used to transmit location coordinate information along with an identifier of location estimation technique utilized for a node, as well as other parameters that may be needed for location estimation. Nodes in the communication system calculate their location coordinates using the said portion of packets received from other nodes in the communication system.
Abstract:
To address the need for channel assignment in an ad-hoc network, a method and apparatus for channel assignment is provided herein. In particular, a communication system (100) utilizes a method for deterministic node (101-107) channel assignment that enables channel reuse and thus scalability of an ad-hoc network. The channel assignment is dependent upon a current level for the particular nodes, as well as the maximum available channels, the maximum allowable levels in the network, and the maximum number of children nodes that a parent can have.
Abstract:
A location technique is utilized where channel-model parameters are originally estimated prior to location taking place. Location then takes place using a first set of known-located nodes, and the channel-model parameters are updated based on the distances resulting from the location estimate. Once the channel-model parameters have been updated, location again takes place using a second set of known-located nodes, node distances are calculated based on the produced locations and the channel-model parameters are again updated. This process continues until no significant change is observed between the previous and the newly estimated location, or until a maximum number of iterations is reached.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for determining the location of a node within a communication system is provided herein. During operation, located nodes (105) having known locations are utilized to locate "blind" nodes (200) whose location is to be determined. More particularly, a blind node (200) wishing to determine its location will measure a plurality of signal strengths between itself and a plurality of located nodes (105). Each located node's signal strength will then be adjusted based on at least one antenna gain pattern. A radio-location algorithm will then be executed on the adjusted signal-strength measurements to determine the nodes location.