System and method for creating a spectrum agile wireless multi-hopping network

• US 7,167,463 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2004
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Alapuranen, Pertti O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Man U.
• Application Number:
  US10/959,336
• Publication Number:
  US 20060077938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 370338-390, 370432-459, 455450-452, 375132-141, 375/260
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks

Abstract

A system and method for creating a spectrum agile wireless multi-hopping network, such as a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer multi-hopping network. The spectrum agile multi-hopping network that can respond to conditions affecting spectrum, such as FCC rulings or business related agreements on spectrum licensing related to a location or other measurable parameters of the network.

Claims

1. A method for creating a spectrum agile wireless multi-hopping network including a plurality of nodes communicating with each other within the wireless multi-hopping network, the method comprising:

within at least one of the plurality of nodes;

receiving and storing one or more spectrum availability information associated with one or more conditions; and

providing the spectrum availability information to the one or more neighboring nodes so that the one or more neighboring nodes can communicate over one or more frequency spectrums indicated by the spectrum availability information when a first condition exists, and so that the one or more neighboring nodes can communicate over another one or more frequency spectrums indicated by the spectrum availability information when a second condition exists.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the providing step provides the spectrum availability information to the one or more neighboring nodes via a beacon signal received by the one or more neighboring nodes within the broadcast range of the at least one of the plurality of nodes.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising prior to the providing step:

operating the at least one of the plurality of nodes as an access point to enable the one or more neighboring nodes to access a portion of the spectrum agile wireless multi-hopping network or another different network.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the spectrum availability information includes at least one of the following;

available spectrum bands;

power levels for the bands;

location where bands are available;

cost of using the frequency bands;

the traffic for which the bands can be used;

time interval for license update time limits for using the bands; and

transmission power.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

storing a portion of the spectrum availability information within at least one of the one or more neighboring nodes.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

operating the at least one of the one or more neighboring nodes as an access point node which operates to enable at least one other of the plurality of nodes to access a portion of the spectrum agile wireless multi-hopping network or another different network.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the respective conditions include at least one of the following;

location of a node;

time of day;

power limit;

spectrum;

cost; and

bandwidth.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the network is a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer communication network.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

one or more of the plurality of nodes are mobile nodes.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the providing step provides the spectrum availability information to the one or more neighboring nodes via a broadcast flood received by the one or more neighboring nodes.

11. A spectrum agile wireless multi-hopping network, comprising:

a plurality of nodes, adapted to communicate with each other within the wireless multi-hopping network, at least one of the plurality of nodes being adapted to receive and store one or more spectrum availability information associated with one or more conditions; and

the at least one of the plurality of nodes being further adapted to provide the spectrum availability information to one or more neighboring nodes so that the one or more neighboring nodes can communicate over one of one or more frequency spectrums indicated by the spectrum availability information when a first condition exists, and so that the one or more neighboring nodes can communicate over another one or more frequency spectrums indicated by the spectrum availability information when a second condition exists.

12. A network as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

a source for providing the spectrum availability information to the at least one of the nodes via a beacon signal received by the nodes within the broadcast range of the source transmitting the beacon signal.

13. A network as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of nodes further is adapted to operate as an access point to enable the one or more neighboring nodes to access a portion of the spectrum agile wireless multi-hopping network or another different network.

14. A network as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the spectrum availability information includes at least one of the following;

available spectrum bands;

power levels for the bands;

location where bands are available;

cost of using the frequency bands;

the traffic for which the bands can be used;

time interval for license update time limits for using the bands; and

transmission power.

15. A network as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

one or more of the plurality of nodes is adapted to store a portion of the spectrum availability information.

16. A network as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

the one or more of the plurality of nodes are access point nodes which enable the nodes to access a portion of the spectrum agile wireless multi-hopping network or another different network.

17. A network as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the respective conditions include at least one of the following;

location of a node;

time of day;

power limit;

spectrum;

cost; and

bandwidth.

18. A network as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the network is a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer communication network, and the plurality of nodes communicate with each other in the wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer communication network.

19. A network as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

one or more of the plurality of nodes are mobile nodes.

20. A network as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the at least one of the plurality of nodes provides the spectrum availability information to the one or more neighboring nodes via a broadcast flood received by the one or more neighboring nodes.