Apparatus and method for peer-to-peer link monitoring of a wireless network with centralized control
US6751196B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 27, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 15, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 27, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W88/04
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Centrally controlled wireless networks require reliable communications between the central controller and each of the stations within the wireless networks. The structure of a wireless network is often dynamic, or ad-hoc, as stations enter and exit the network, or are physically relocated. The selection of the central controller for the network may also be dynamic, either because the current central controller desires to exit the network, or because the communication between the current central controller and one or more of the stations is poor. This invention discloses a method and apparatus for assessing the quality of the communication paths among all stations in the network. This assessment is useful as a continual monitor of the quality of the network, and can be utilized to select an alternative central control station based upon the quality of communication paths to and from this station. Additionally, the quality assessment can be utilized to establish relay communication paths, as required.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.