Net-centric coordination channel (NCC)

• US 20060229080A1
• Filed: 04/08/2005
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Khan, Zia R., Zabat, Ricardo T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,619,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/450
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for registering an unanticipated node into an ad-hoc network. A communication channel is dedicated as the link between a registry within the network and unanticipated nodes. The dedicated communication link typically comprises primary and secondary frequencies in the RF spectrum. An unanticipated node can be registered “on-the-fly” via the dedicated communication link by identification, authentication, and non-repudiation. The unanticipated node can then interoperate with the network via a standard communication protocol.

Claims

1. A method of entering a node into a network environment without a-priori registration, comprising the steps of:

allocating a communication channel to act as a link between the entering node and a registry within the network environment;

registering the node via the communication channel link;

deploying the node to interoperate with the network.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the allocating step comprises dedicating selected primary and secondary frequency channels within the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the registering step comprises identification, authentication, and non-repudiation of the node.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the deploying step comprises scanning, detecting and negotiating the node services via a standard communication protocol.

5. A network for accommodating “

ad-hoc”

registration of an unanticipated node, comprising;

a registry within the network; and

a communication channel configured to link the network registry and the unanticipated node;

wherein the unanticipated node is registered “

on-the-fly”

via the communication channel link, and wherein the unanticipated node is thereafter deployed to interoperate with the network.

6. The network of claim 5 wherein the communication channel is comprised of a dedicated primary frequency and a dedicated secondary frequency.

7. The network of claim 6 wherein the dedicated primary and secondary frequencies are selected in the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum.

8. The network of claim 7 wherein the dedicated primary and secondary frequencies are selected within the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) spectrum.

9. The network of claim 5 wherein the “

on-the-fly”

registration comprises identification, authentication, and non-repudiation of the unanticipated node.

10. The network of claim 5 wherein the deployment of the unanticipated node comprises scanning, detecting and negotiating the node services via a standard communication protocol.

11. A coordination channel for registering an unanticipated node with a network, comprising:

a dedicated primary frequency configured to facilitate connectivity, discovery, routing, registration, and service negotiation; and

a dedicated secondary frequency configured to facilitate overflow and back-up functions.

12. The coordination channel of claim 11 wherein the dedicated primary and secondary frequencies are selected within the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum.

13. The coordination channel of claim 12 wherein the dedicated primary and secondary frequencies are selected within the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) spectrum.