Multi-hop ad-hoc wireless networks that support non-multi-hop wireless terminals
US8009615B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W40/20
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and methods are disclosed that enable a non-multi-hop wireless terminal (i.e., a wireless terminal that has not been programmed to participate in multi-hop ad-hoc wireless networks) to in fact participate in a multi-hop ad-hoc wireless network, without any changes to the non-multi-hop terminal's software or hardware. In the illustrative embodiment, a wireless terminal T that already belongs to a multi-hop ad-hoc wireless network is assigned to a non-multi-hop wireless terminal W, and a signal is transmitted to terminal W that induces terminal W to use terminal T as a relay for transmitting messages. The assignment of multi-hop-capable terminals in the network to non-multi-hop terminals can be based on a variety of factors, such as signal strengths and the geo-locations of terminals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.