System and method for asynchronous busy-tone multiple access with acknowledgment for ad hoc wireless networks

A method for use in an ad hoc network using a tone emitted by a receiving node, the method comprising:

• attempting, by a sending node, to detect a tone emitted by a receiving node;
• sending a request for a data transmission to the receiving node by the sending node if no tone is detected;
• and
• determining, by the sending node, whether a detected tone remains on for a first predefined period of time after sending a request to transmit data to the receiving node.

A method for use in an ad hoc network comprising:

• sending an initial portion of a request from a first node;
• determining, by a second node receiving the initial portion of the request, whether the request is intended for the second node;
• emitting a tone by the second node if the request is intended for the second node, wherein a remaining portion of the request is received by the second node while the tone is being emitted, and wherein the tone is emitted for a first time period after the remaining portion is received;
• determining, by the first node, whether the tone is emitted by the second node for a second time period beginning after the remaining portion of the request is sent to the second node;
• and
• sending data from the first node to the second node if the tone is emitted for the entire second time period.

A receiving node for use within an ad hoc network comprising:

• a wireless communication system;
• a processor coupled to the wireless communication system;
• and
• a memory containing a plurality of instructions for execution by the processor, the instructions including instructions for:
• receiving an address portion of a request packet from a sending node, wherein the address portion includes a destination address of the request packet;
• comparing the destination address with an address of the receiving node;
• and
• emitting a tone while receiving a remaining portion of the request packet if the destination address matches the address of the receiving tone, wherein the tone is emitted for a first time period after the entire remaining portion is received.

A sending node for use within an ad hoc network comprising:

• a wireless communication system;
• a processor coupled to the wireless communication system;
• and
• a memory containing a plurality of instructions for execution by the processor, the instructions including instructions for:
• sending a request packet to a receiving node if a tone is not detected;
• starting a timer of a first time period after the entire request is sent, wherein the first time period is at least equal to a maximum two-way propagation delay of a coverage area of the sending node;
• and
• sending a data packet to the receiving node only if the tone is emitted during the entire first time period.