Showing papers on "Wi-Fi array published in 2011"

Wireless power antenna alignment adjustment system for vehicles

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless charging and wireless power alignment of wireless power antennas associated with a vehicle. A wireless power charging apparatus includes an antenna including first and second orthogonal magnetic elements for detecting a horizontal component of a magnetic field generated from a second charging base antenna. A processor determines a directional vector between the antennas.

Wireless power harvesting and transmission with heterogeneous signals

Abstract: The present invention is a wireless power system which includes components which can be recharged by harvesting wireless power, wireless power transmitters for transmitting the power, and devices which are powered from the components. Features such as temperature monitoring, tiered network protocols including both data and power communication, and power management strategies related to both charging and non-charging operations, are used to improve performance of the wireless network. Rechargeable batteries which are configured to be recharged using wireless power have unique components specifically tailored for recharging operations rather than for providing power to a device. A wireless power supply for powering implanted devices benefits from an external patient controller which contains features for adjusting both power transmission and harvesting provided by other components of the wireless power network.

Exchanging identifiers between wireless communication to determine further information to be exchanged or further services to be provided

Abstract: A server exchanges information between one or more wireless devices to complete a transaction. The server receives second device identifier information from a first wireless device using a wide area network. The second device identifier information was previously provided to the first wireless device using short range wireless communication. The server then uses the second device identifier information to determine additional information concerning an entity or object located in proximity to the second device, and then the server delivers information to the first wireless device based at least in part upon both (a) the second device identifier and (b) a current step in a multiple step process for an ongoing electronic commerce transaction.

Wireless Sensor Networks: a Survey on Environmental Monitoring

Abstract: Traditionally, environmental monitoring is achieved by a small number of expensive and high precision sensing unities. Collected data are retrieved directly from the equipment at the end of the experiment and after the unit is recovered. The implementation of a wireless sensor network provides an alternative solution by deploying a larger number of disposable sensor nodes. Nodes are equipped with sensors with less precision, however, the network as a whole provides better spatial resolution of the area and the users can have access to the data immediately. This paper surveys a comprehensive review of the available solutions to support wireless sensor network environmental monitoring applications.

WirelessHART Versus ISA100.11a: The Format War Hits the Factory Floor

Abstract: The first decade of the new millennium has been a stage for the rapid development of wireless communication technologies for low-cost, low-power wireless solutions capable of robust and reliable communication [1]. IEEE Standard 802.15.4 for low-rate wireless personal area networks (WPANs) [2] has been the enabling technology for numerous applications within the field of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) [3], and more recently, wireless instrumentation. Although WSNs quickly found their way into a wide variety of applications, the adoption of wireless technology in the process automation and manufacturing industries has been slow. None of the industrial solutions based on standards such as IEEE 802.11 [4], Bluetooth [5], ZigBee [6], and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) over low-power wireless personal area networks (6L0WPAN) [7] have yet to achieve a breakthrough a widely adopted wireless solution for industrial applications. A major reason for this is believed to be the lack of an open, international standard fulfilling the industrial requirements [8]. This changed in September 2007, when the Highway Addressable Remote Transducer (HART) Communication Foundation (HCF) released the HART Field Communication Protocol Specifi cation, Revision 7.0, which included the definition of a wireless interface to field devices, referred to as Wireless HART [9].

Gigabit wireless LANs: an overview of IEEE 802.11ac and 802.11ad

Abstract: This paper gives an overview of the upcoming IEEE Gigabit Wireless LAN amendments, i.e. IEEE 802.11ac and 802.11ad. Both standard amendments advance wireless networking throughput beyond gigabit rates. 802.11ac adds multi-user access techniques in the form of downlink multi-user (DL MU) multiple input multiple output (MIMO)and 80 and 160 MHz channels in the 5 GHz band for applications such as multiple simultaneous video streams throughout the home. 802.11ad takes advantage of the large swath of available spectrum in the 60 GHz band and defines protocols to enable throughput intensive applications such as wireless I/O or uncompressed video. New waveforms for 60 GHz include single carrier and orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM). Enhancements beyond the new 60 GHz PHY include Personal Basic Service Set (PBSS) operation, directional medium access, and beamforming. We describe 802.11ac channelization, PHY design, MAC modifications, and DL MU MIMO. For 802.11ad, the new PHY layer, MAC enhancements, and beamforming are presented.

Wireless energy transfer and continuous radio station signal coexistence

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for wirelessly transmitting power while avoiding interference with wireless communication devices. In one aspect a wireless power transmitter apparatus is provided. The wireless power transmitter apparatus includes a transmit circuit configured to wirelessly transmit power at a transmit frequency to a first receiver device. The wireless power transmitter apparatus further includes a controller circuit configured to reduce a level of emission of the transmit circuit at a determined frequency during a period of time based on information about an information signal transmitted to a second receiver device substantially at the determined frequency to be received within the period of time.

Dual mode wireless power

Abstract: A dual mode wireless power module for a device includes a wireless transceiver and a wireless power transceiver circuit. The wireless transceiver circuit is operable to communicate peripheral power information indicating a wireless power configuration. The wireless power transceiver circuit is operable to determine, based upon the power information, a power status of another device identified by the peripheral power information. When the power status of the another device is favorable, the wireless power transceiver circuit is placed in a wireless power receive mode in which the wireless power transceiver circuit converts wireless power into a voltage. When the power status of the another device is unfavorable, the wireless power transceiver circuit is placed in a wireless power transmit mode in which the wireless power transceiver circuit converts a power source of the device into the wireless power.

Apparatus and system for providing wireless charging service

Abstract: A wireless charging apparatus and system according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless charging service through authentication so as to efficiently control charging rights with respect to a plurality of electronic devices, which desire to receive the wireless charging service using a shared wireless charging apparatus, resulting in allowing a user to get a stable wireless charging service and proposing a new benefit creation model. The wireless charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless communication unit configured to receive authentication result information relating to a target electronic device from a server, and a wireless charging unit configured to wirelessly transmit power to the target electronic device if the authentication result information indicates a successful authentication, wherein the wireless communication unit transmits the authentication result information to the target electronic device if the authentication result information indicates an unsuccessful authentication.

Wireless manager and method for configuring and securing wireless access to a network

Abstract: The disclosure provides a wireless manager operable to receive a request from a mobile device to wirelessly communicate with an enterprise network, with the request including information operable to dynamically identify a location of the mobile device. The wireless manager is further operable to automatically associate an access zone with the mobile device with the access zone comprising at least one logical characteristic, compare the location information to the associated access zone, and, if the location information indicates that the mobile device does not violate the access zone, authorize wireless communications with the enterprise network.

Personal wireless navigation system

Abstract: A personal wireless navigation system operable on wireless phone devices provides a platform for empowering a merchant-paid search. Performance of a navigation functionality in a personal wireless navigation system is higher and more comparable and competitive with portable navigation devices and in-car navigation systems, and the search capability is comparable and competitive with the most popular web search engines. A user interface (UI) and look and feel of the personal wireless navigation system is provided which is enhanced so that users do not simply want to use the product—they covet it. The personal wireless navigation system may be constructed such that a subset of it with fewer features and functions can be productized, marketed and deployed to users.

System and method for wireless network offloading

Abstract: A method comprising obtaining, by a server, wireless-network performance data from a plurality of end user devices; generating, by the server, a prioritized network list from the wireless-network performance data; and provisioning, by the server, the prioritized network list to an end user device comprising a radio interface for receiving the prioritized network list from the server, the radio interface being identified to receive the prioritized network list based on a characteristic associated with the end user device; a radio configured to identify available wireless networks, the available wireless networks being different than a current wireless network to which the end user device is currently connected; a prioritized network selection engine for using the prioritized network list to select one of the available wireless networks; and a network connection engine configured to initiate disconnection from the current wireless network and connection to the selected wireless network.

Wireless communication methods, systems, and computer program products

Abstract: A method, wireless device and computer program product for expanding the coverage of a cellular network. A wireless device (e.g., cellular telephone) is able to communicate with a base station in a cell of the cellular network over a non-cellular interface via another wireless device in a cell through the use of multi-hopping. A wireless device may request permission to communicate with the base station over a non-cellular interface via hopping off another wireless device when its signal strength is below a threshold. Alternatively, a wireless device may receive a request to communicate with the base station over a non-cellular interface via hopping off the wireless device that sent the request when that wireless device has excess capacity in its bandwidth with the base station. By enabling wireless devices to communicate with a base station in such a manner, the effective capacity of the cellular network is expanded and the effective capacity of the cellular network is improved.

Implementing wireless power transfer with 60 ghz mmwave communication

Abstract: A system and method are provided to form multiple separate beamformed wireless communication links between a 60 GHz mmWave transmitter and a cooperating 60 GHz mmWave receiver, to transfer not only wireless data communication between the cooperating devices, but also to transmit usable wireless power between the cooperating devices. These systems and methods employ a technology for establishing multiple beamformed wireless communication links between cooperating 60 GHz mmWave communication devices to transfer wireless data communication between the cooperating devices, and separately to transmit usable wireless power between the cooperating devices over separate wireless directional beamformed links between the devices providing efficient and effective wireless power transmission between the devices based on the directionality of the beamformed links. Because 60GHz mmWave transmissions are highly directional, with beamwidths on the order of 10-20 degrees, power loss based on wasted energy when compared to existing omnidirectional wireless power transmission systems is significantly reduced.

EM-MAC: a dynamic multichannel energy-efficient MAC protocol for wireless sensor networks

Abstract: Medium access control (MAC) protocols for wireless sensor networks face many challenges, including energy-efficient operation and robust support for varying traffic loads, in spite of effects such as wireless interference or even possible wireless jamming attacks. This paper presents the design and evaluation of the EM-MAC (Efficient Multichannel MAC) protocol, which addresses these challenges through the introduction of novel mechanisms for adaptive receiver-initiated multichannel rendezvous and predictive wake-up scheduling. EM-MAC substantially enhances wireless channel utilization and transmission efficiency while resisting wireless interference and jamming by enabling every node to dynamically optimize the selection of wireless channels it utilizes based on the channel conditions it senses, without use of any reserved control channel. EM-MAC achieves high energy efficiency by enabling a sender to predict the receiver's wake-up channel and wake-up time Implemented in TinyOS on MICAz motes, EM-MAC substantially outperformed other MAC protocols studied. EM-MAC maintained the lowest sender and receiver duty cycles, the lowest packet delivery latency, and 100% packet delivery ratio across all experiments. Our evaluation includes single-hop and multihop flows, as well as experiments with heavy ZigBee interference, constant ZigBee jamming, and Wi-Fi interference.

Wireless traffic sensor system

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless traffic sensor system. The system includes a plurality of wireless traffic sensors collecting traffic information from one or more vehicles that pass by; and at least one wireless communication device that receives the traffic information from at least one of the wireless traffic sensors and relays the traffic information to a wireless communication tower in vicinity. At least one of the wireless traffic sensors is placed inside a container and has a mounting flange that lays over edge of the container and is affixed to the container by one or more spring clips. The spring clips are not physically accessible once the wireless traffic sensor is affixed to the container, and are released only upon receiving a coded wireless electromagnetic signal or by a special tool that matches to a key inside the wireless traffic sensor.

Method and system for authenticating a point of access

Abstract: Rogue or malicious access points pose a threat to wireless networks (32) and the users of these networks. In order to prevent or reduce this threat a method and system is proposed that verifies that an access point (31) is genuine and not rogue before setting up a connection between the access point and a wireless device (34). The authentication is based on comparing an identifier of the wireless device (34) obtained from an authentication server (33, 35) in the wired network to an identifier of a wireless device obtained directly from the wireless device. A comparator (39) in an information server (36) receives the two sets of data and compares the two identifiers and if they match the access point is verified as genuine.

Wireless communication enabled meter and network

Abstract: A meter enabled for wireless communication and a wireless communication network are disclosed. A meter enabled for wireless communication comprises a metering device, a wireless communication system and an interface between the two. Meter data can be read, and the meter can be controlled via communication with a wireless network using, e.g., the Bluetooth™ protocol. A self-configuring wireless network is also disclosed. The wireless network includes a number of vnodes, and one or more VGATES. The vnodes are devices that are enabled for wireless communication using, e.g., the Bluetooth™ protocol. Vnodes are operative to form ad hoc piconet connections. The one or more VGATES comprise computer network gateways that are enabled for wireless communication using, e.g., the Bluetooth™ protocol. Thus, the VGATES enable the wireless array of vnodes to communicate with a private or public computer network to transmit data or receive commands. The network may also communicate with a VNOC system. VNOC is a universal communications adapter that enables the wireless array of vnodes to communicate (either directly or through a VGATE) with a central control facility via various wireless or wired communication media.

Opportunistic carrier aggregation for dynamic flow switching between radio access technologies

Abstract: Systems and methods for opportunistic cross radio access technology (RAT) bandwidth allocation are disclosed. The system comprises wireless wide area network (WWAN) radio configured to be used as a primary cell (PCell) to communicate with a dual mode mobile wireless device on a licensed band and a wireless local area network (WLAN) radio integrated with the WWAN radio and configured to be used as a secondary cell (SCell) to provide additional wireless connectivity to the dual mode mobile wireless device in an unlicensed band that is controlled by the PCell. The PCell provides network access and mobility control for the dual mode mobile wireless device and also supports an opportunistic cross carrier bandwidth allocation through a cross RAT coordination module in the downlink and uplink of the SCell in the unlicensed band.

Methods and apparatus for operating a radio device

Abstract: A radio device such as a wireless tag reader communicates with multiple types of wireless identification tags in a monitored region. The radio device includes a network interface to receive messages transmitted over a network. In response to receiving a message indicating to reconfigure the radio device to support an additional wireless tag protocol, the radio is reconfigured to support communications with a corresponding new type of wireless identification tag in a monitored region. Based on this technique of reconfiguring the radio device via network messages, the radio device optionally supports additional, new or latest versions of wireless tag protocols without having to physically reprogram or replace the radio device.

An air-ground wireless sensor network for crop monitoring

Abstract: This paper presents a collaborative system made up of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) and an aerial robot, which is applied to real-time frost monitoring in vineyards. The core feature of our system is a dynamic mobile node carried by an aerial robot, which ensures communication between sparse clusters located at fragmented parcels and a base station. This system overcomes some limitations of the wireless networks in areas with such characteristics. The use of a dedicated communication channel enables data routing to/from unlimited distances.

Interference mitigation in a device having multiple radios

Abstract: A wireless terminal that supports operation on a first wireless technology and operation on a second wireless technology performs a first set of measurements on a received signal on first operating frequency of the first wireless technology, wherein the first set of measurements are performed during time periods that overlap time periods during which the wireless terminal transmits signals of the second wireless technology. The terminal also performs interference avoidance to avoid interference from transmissions of signals of the second wireless technology to reception of signals of the first wireless technology if the first set of measurements indicates interference due to transmission of signals of the second wireless technology by the wireless terminal.

Method, apparatus and computer program product for creating a wireless docking group

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed to enable simplified configuring of a wireless docking group for wireless devices by allowing a wireless device to communicate its capabilities and characteristics of one or more wireless devices within a wireless docking group, using a new Wireless Docking Protocol, to a wireless docking station that will use that information and the Wireless Docking Protocol to define an optimal set of connections for wireless devices in the wireless docking group.

Inkjet Printed, Self Powered, Wireless Sensors for Environmental, Gas, and Authentication-Based Sensing

Abstract: In this paper, inkjet-printed flexible sensors fabricated on paper substrates are introduced as a system-level solution for ultra-low-cost mass production of UHF Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags and wireless sensor nodes in a “green” approach that could be easily extended to other microwave and wireless applications. The authors briefly touch up the state-of-the-art area of fully integrated wireless sensor modules on paper and show several active and power scavenging platforms to power on wireless sensors that could potentially set the foundation for the truly convergent wireless sensor ad hoc networks of the future.

A Delay-Aware Data Collection Network Structure for Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract: Wireless sensor networks utilize large numbers of wireless sensor nodes to collect information from their sensing terrain. Wireless sensor nodes are battery-powered devices. Energy saving is always crucial to the lifetime of a wireless sensor network. Recently, many algorithms are proposed to tackle the energy saving problem in wireless sensor networks. In these algorithms, however, data collection efficiency is usually compromised in return for gaining longer network lifetime. There are strong needs to develop wireless sensor networks algorithms with optimization priorities biased to aspects besides energy saving. In this paper, a delay-aware data collection network structure for wireless sensor networks is proposed. The objective of the proposed network structure is to minimize delays in the data collection processes of wireless sensor networks. Two network formation algorithms are designed to construct the proposed network structure in a centralized and a decentralized approach. Performances of the proposed network structure are evaluated using computer simulations. Simulation results show that, when comparing with other common network structures in wireless sensor networks, the proposed network structure is able to shorten the delays in the data collection process significantly.

Power Saving and Energy Optimization Techniques for Wireless Sensor Neworks (Invited Paper)

Abstract: Wireless sensor networks have become increasingly popular due to their wide range of applications. Energy consumption is one of the biggest constraints of the wireless sensor node and this limitation combined with a typical deployment of large number of nodes have added many challenges to the design and management of wireless sensor networks. They are typically used for remote environment monitoring in areas where providing electrical power is difficult. Therefore, the devices need to be powered by batteries and alternative energy sources. Because battery energy is limited, the use of different techniques for energy saving is one of the hottest topics in WSNs. In this work, we present a survey of power saving and energy optimization techniques for wireless sensor networks, which enhances the ones in existence and introduces the reader to the most well known available methods that can be used to save energy. They are analyzed from several points of view: Device hardware, transmission, MAC and routing protocols.

Wireless load balancing across bands

Abstract: A technique for wireless load balancing involves providing a wireless infrastructure that creates a target band option and helps push clients toward that band. An example of a method according to the technique involves, by way of example but not limitation, responding only to probe requests on a first band when a client is detected on the first band and a second band. For example, using the techniques described herein, a platform that is both 802.11a and 802.11b/g compliant may attempt to connect preferentially to the 802.11b/g band of a wireless network, and be migrated toward the 802.11a band instead.

Method of creating incentives for establishing hotspot locations

Abstract: A process of creating incentives for wireless hotspots by a service provider is disclosed. An access point is provided to a wireless hotspot for wireless devices to wirelessly connect to a larger network in a publicly accessible location. Use of the access point for a portable device is authenticated by requesting submission of an account identifier to the service provider and billing data for a user of the portable device for use of the access point is generated. Use statistics are evaluated of the access point of the wireless hotspot by portables devices and an inducement is provided to the publicly accessible location based on the evaluated use statistics.

Wireless Model-Based Predictive Networked Control System Over Cooperative Wireless Network

Abstract: Owing to their distributed architecture, networked control systems (NCSs) are proven to be feasible in scenarios where a spatially distributed feedback control system is required. Traditionally, such NCSs operate over real-time wired networks. Recently, in order to achieve the utmost flexibility, scalability, ease of deployment, and maintainability, wireless networks such as IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networks (LANs) are being preferred over dedicated wired networks. However, conventional NCSs with event-triggered controllers and actuators cannot operate over such general purpose wireless networks since the stability of the system is compromised due to unbounded delays and unpredictable packet losses that are typical in the wireless medium. Approaching the wireless networked control problem from two perspectives, this work introduces a practical wireless NCS and an implementation of a cooperative medium access control protocol that work jointly to achieve decent control under severe impairments, such as unbounded delay, bursts of packet loss and ambient wireless traffic. The proposed system is evaluated on a dedicated test platform under numerous scenarios and significant performance gains are observed, making cooperative communications a strong candidate for improving the reliability of industrial wireless networks.