The present invention is generally directed to a system for monitoring a variety of environmental and/or other conditions within a defined remotely located region. In one aspect, a system is configured to monitor utility meters (613) in a defined area. The system is implemented by using a plurality of wireless transmitters (614), each integrated into a sensor (612) adapted to monitor a particular data input. The system also includes a plurality of transceivers (221) that are dispersed throughout the region at defined locations. The system uses a local gateway (210) to translate and transfer information from the transmitters to a dedicated computer (260) on a network (230). The dedicated computer collects, compiles and stores the data for retrieval upon client demand across the network. The computer further includes means for evaluating the received information and identifying an appropriate control signal to be applied at a designated actuator.

System and method for monitoring and controlling remote devices

In this paper we describe the current state of the DARPA packet radio network. Fully automated algorithms and protocols to organize, control, maintain, and move traffic through the packet radio network have been designed, implemented, and tested. By means of protocols, networks of about 50 packet radios with some degree of nodal mobility can be organized and maintained under a fully distributed mode of control. We have described the algorithms and illustrated how the PRNET provides highly reliable network transport and datagram service, by dynamically determining optimal routes, effectively controlling congestion, and fairly allocating the channel in the face of changing link conditions, mobility, and varying traffic loads.

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The DARPA packet radio network protocols

This paper presents a model for analyzing the performance of transmission strategies in a multihop packet radio network where each station has adjustable transmission radius. A larger transmission radius will increase the probability of finding a receiver in the desired direction and contribute bigger progress if the transmission is successful, but it also has a higher probability of collision with other transmissions. The converse is true for shorter transmission range. We illustrate our model by comparing three transmission strategies. Our results show that the network can achieve better performance by suitably controlling the transmission range. One of the transmission strategies, namely transmitting to the nearest forward neighbor by using adjustable transmission power, has desirable features in a high terminal density environment.

Transmission Range Control in Multihop Packet Radio Networks

Resilience and survivability in communication networks: Strategies, principles, and survey of disciplines

Wireless communication networks for monitoring and controlling a plurality of remote devices are provided. Briefly, one embodiment of a wireless communication network may comprise a plurality of wireless transceivers having unique identifiers. Each of the plurality of wireless transceivers may be configured to receive a sensor data signal from one of the plurality of remote devices and transmit an orginal data message using a predefined wireless communication protocol. The original data message may comprise the corresponding unique identifier and sensor data signal. Each of the plurality of wireless transceivers may be configured to receive the original data message transmitted by one of the other wireless transceivers and transmit a repeated data message using the predefined communication protocol. The repeated data message may include the sensor data signal and the corresponding unique identifier. Furthermore, at least one of the plurality of wireless transceivers may be further configured to provide the original data messages and the repeated data messages to a site controller connected to a wide area network. The site controller may be configured to manage communications between the wireless communication network and a host computer connected to the wide area network.

Wireless communication networks for providing remote monitoring of devices

In this paper, we will present the need for distributed network control in a packet radio environment, the criteria used for its evaluation, and an overview of the network algorithms chosen to maintain routing information and to route user traffic The routing algorithm, known as tiered rings, functions by building a distributed tree of shortest path routes to each packet radio in the network The information kept by each node grows only linearly as the network expands The design uses the radio channel efficiently by providing shortest path routing and by taking advantage of the information available in a broadcast environment

A Distributed Routing Design for a Broadcast Environment

This paper presents a design recently implemented by the Packet Radio project for control of large networks. The network is built on a carrier sense, multiple access broadcast channel and is populated with mobile store and forward nodes known as packet radio units, or PRs. Until recently, the packet radio network operated with centralized routing controlled by one node, the station. To increase the size of the network and to provide redundant control a multiple station design, "multistation", was necessary. The PRs gather local connectivity information which is then forwarded to the controlling nodes (stations). Each station is responsible for up to 40 PRs located near it in connectivity and uses these PRs to communicate with other stations. Questions important to the development of multistation include: How are packet radios matched with controlling stations? How do stations find and communicate with each other? How are long routes crossing the borders of many stations determined, and how is their successful setup insured? How is control traffic minimized?

Multiple Control Stations in Packet Radio Networks

This paper presents a hierarchical routing design undergoing implementation for the Survivable Packet Radio network project (SURAN) under the auspices of The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency. As in the previous Packet Radio network, this network is built on a carrier sense, multiple access broadcast channel and is populated with mobile store and forward nodes known as packet radio units, or PRs. The goals of SURAN are to create a large distributed network of 1,000 to 10,000 nodes with a redundant, fluid control structure that is capable of surviving the loss of components and other more active threats against the network control structure. Key to the success of this network are name servers which relate the current location of a device to a network address, access controllers which curtail network membership and privileges, network monitors which report on the control structure and network behavior and, finally, super*clusterheads which are responsible for the distributed routing control. The super*clusterheads create hierarchical addresses for each PR and compute the best routes between clusters at each level. This paper discusses issues associated with clustering: membership definition, route creation, distribution and change.

Hierarchical Routing for Very Large Networks

Internetworks are managed with distributed administration and ownership and frequently contain many different types of equipment Consequently, network management has become more important and more difficult Effective network management requires knowledge from many disciplines including Communications, Network Analysis, Databases, Distributed Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Human Factors This paper describes our research into these areas in support of the Automated Network Management (ANM) system which will be used by network operators, network analysts, and administrative personnel This system is currently in development at BBN Laboratories Incorporated under contract to DARPA and CECOM and draws upon earlier work at BBN

Jil Westcott

Papers

A Distributed Routing Design for a Broadcast Environment

Multiple Control Stations in Packet Radio Networks

Hierarchical Routing for Very Large Networks

Disciplines for Effective Network Management