Low-latency multi-hop ad hoc wireless network
First Claim
1. A network comprising a plurality of local network clusters, wherein each local network cluster includes a plurality of nodes, wherein each of the nodes includes a plurality of communication radios, wherein each of the communication radios supports communication among the nodes of one of the local network clusters so that simultaneous communications are supported among the sensor nodes of the local network clusters, wherein each of the nodes include at least one network discovery and self-assembly module that automatically forms the local network clusters via the plurality of communication radios, wherein the network discovery and self-assembly module determines with which other nodes of the plurality of local network clusters it can communicate.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-radio sensor node is provided that includes two or more communication devices. The communication devices include radio frequency (RF) devices like radios. Each communication device supports simultaneous communications among multi-radio sensor nodes of respective independent network clusters. A network structure is provided that includes two or more local network clusters. Each local network cluster includes numerous multi-radio sensor nodes. Each communication device of a multi-radio sensor node supports communication among the multi-radio sensor nodes of a different one of the local network clusters so that simultaneous communications are supported among the multi-radio sensor nodes of the local network clusters. The multi-radio sensor nodes of the local network clusters determine their locations relative to the other multi-radio sensor nodes of the independent network clusters with which they communicate. The location determination includes performing timing synchronization via synchronization signals communicated among the local network clusters, and acoustic signaling.
32 Citations
21 Claims
- 1. A network comprising a plurality of local network clusters, wherein each local network cluster includes a plurality of nodes, wherein each of the nodes includes a plurality of communication radios, wherein each of the communication radios supports communication among the nodes of one of the local network clusters so that simultaneous communications are supported among the sensor nodes of the local network clusters, wherein each of the nodes include at least one network discovery and self-assembly module that automatically forms the local network clusters via the plurality of communication radios, wherein the network discovery and self-assembly module determines with which other nodes of the plurality of local network clusters it can communicate.
-
6. (canceled)
- 7. A node comprising two or more communication devices, wherein each communication device supports simultaneous communications among nodes of two or more respective independent network clusters, wherein the communication devices include radio frequency (RF) devices, wherein the node includes at least one network discovery and self-assembly module coupled to the two or more communication devices, the network discovery and self-assembly module configured to automatically form the network clusters via the two or more communication devices and determine with which other nodes of the network clusters it can communicate.
-
15. A method of forming a network, comprising:
-
establishing a first communication channel among a first radio of a node and a first network of nodes, wherein the first network includes the node;
establishing a second communication channel among a second radio of the node and a second network of nodes;
supporting simultaneous communication among the nodes of the first and second networks via the first and second communication channels, wherein each node of the first and second network automatically determines with which other nodes of the first and second networks the node can communicate;
receiving timing synchronization data from the nodes of the first and second networks via synchronization signals communicated among the plurality of nodes of the network clusters using the first and second communication channels;
receiving acoustic signaling data including time-of-flight data to determine a relative location of each node of the first and second networks; and
determining a relative location of each node of the first and second network using the timing synchronization data and acoustic signaling data. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
- 18. A network comprising at least one wired network coupled to a plurality of local network clusters via at least one gateway, wherein each local network cluster includes a plurality of nodes, wherein each of the nodes includes at least two communication radios operating under a first wireless communication protocol that supports communications between the nodes and the gateway and supports communications among the nodes of one of the local network clusters so that simultaneous communications are supported among the nodes of the local network clusters, wherein each of the nodes includes at least one communication radio operating under a second wireless communication protocol that supports communications among the nodes and a plurality of portable wireless devices, wherein each of the nodes includes at least one network discovery and self-assembly module that automatically forms the local network clusters via the communication radios, wherein the network discovery and self-assembly module determines with which other nodes of the plurality of local network clusters it can communicate.
-
20. (canceled)
-
21. A method of forming a network, comprising:
-
providing a plurality of nodes that each include a plurality of communication radios;
transferring communication signals among at least one set of the plurality of nodes using each of the communication radios so that simultaneous communications are supported among the nodes of the at least one set;
automatically forming a plurality of local network clusters, the forming including each node determining with which other nodes of the plurality of local network clusters it can communicate.
-
Specification