Free space optical terminal with ad hoc network back-up and associated methods
First Claim
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1. A communications system comprising:
- a pair of free space optical (FSO) communications terminals positioned in spaced apart relation to define a dedicated, point-to-point FSO communications link therebetween for carrying communications traffic in a first operating mode; and
a mobile ad hoc network comprising a plurality of spaced apart ad hoc network nodes and a plurality of wireless communication links for connecting the ad hoc network nodes together;
each FSO communications terminal comprising a controller for switching from the first operating mode to a second operating mode wherein the communications traffic is carried by said mobile ad hoc network.
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Abstract
A communication system includes a pair free space optical (FSO) terminals. The FSO terminals switch from a first operating mode to a second operating mode wherein the traffic is carried by an ad hoc network. The switching may be based upon a quality of service (QoS) parameter being exceeded. The first operating mode may be the primary operating mode, and the second operating mode may be the back-up operating mode.
40 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A communications system comprising:
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a pair of free space optical (FSO) communications terminals positioned in spaced apart relation to define a dedicated, point-to-point FSO communications link therebetween for carrying communications traffic in a first operating mode; and
a mobile ad hoc network comprising a plurality of spaced apart ad hoc network nodes and a plurality of wireless communication links for connecting the ad hoc network nodes together;
each FSO communications terminal comprising a controller for switching from the first operating mode to a second operating mode wherein the communications traffic is carried by said mobile ad hoc network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38)
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15. A communications system comprising:
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a pair of free space optical (FSO) communications terminals positioned in spaced apart relation to define a dedicated, point-to-point FSO communications link therebetween for carrying communications traffic in a primary operating mode; and
a mobile ad hoc network;
each FSO communications terminal comprising a controller comprising a quality of service (QoS) monitor and a traffic switcher cooperating therewith for switching between the primary operating mode and a back-up operating mode wherein the communications traffic is carried by said mobile ad hoc network based upon at least one QoS parameter.
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23. A free space optical (FSO) communications terminal for communicating with a remote FSO communications terminal, the FSO communications terminal comprising:
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an FSO transceiver for defining a dedicated, point-to-point FSO communications link with the remote FSO terminal for carrying communications traffic therebetween in a first operating mode;
an ad hoc network node for an ad hoc network comprising a plurality of spaced apart ad hoc network nodes and a plurality of wireless communication links for connecting the ad hoc network nodes together; and
a controller for switching from the first operating mode to a second operating mode wherein the communications traffic is carried by the ad hoc network node. - View Dependent Claims (25, 27)
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31. A method of carrying communications traffic comprising:
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positioning a pair of free space optical (FSO) communications terminals in spaced apart relation to define a dedicated, point-to-point FSO communications link therebetween for carrying the communications traffic in a first operating mode;
providing a mobile ad hoc network comprising a plurality of spaced apart ad hoc network nodes and a plurality of wireless communication links for connecting the ad hoc network nodes together; and
switching from the first operating mode to a second operating mode wherein the communications traffic is carried by the mobile ad hoc network. - View Dependent Claims (33, 35)
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Specification