Dynamic transmission control for a wireless network
AssigneeAeroVironment, Inc.
InventorsJohn F. GRABOWSKY, Phillip T. TOKUMARU, Robert J. KNISKERN, Nicholas S. CURRENS, Allan L. LEVINE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one possible embodiment, a wireless network with dynamic transmission control is provided that includes a multiple of nodes. The nodes include an arbiter and multiple client nodes. The arbiter is configured to control an operation of the client nodes by defining communications operation cycles and allocating a bandwidth to each of the client nodes on a cycle by cycle basis in response to requests for bandwidth from the client nodes.
Claims27
A method for communicating on a wireless network having a plurality of nodes, the method comprising:
- selecting a node to function as an arbiter for controlling communication of at least one non-arbiter node of the plurality of nodes on the wireless network;
- receiving at the arbiter requests for a desired bandwidth from the at least one non-arbiter node;
- adjusting dynamically the bandwidth allocated to the at least one non-arbiter node based on the requests, comprising using the arbiter to define operation cycles and assign a transmission start time and duration for each cycle to the at least one non-arbiter node;
- and
- relaying vehicle control data between at least two non-arbiter nodes using the arbiter.
A method for communicating on a wireless network having a plurality of unmanned vehicle nodes, the method comprising:
- selecting an unmanned vehicle to function as arbiter for controlling communication of at least one non-arbiter node of the plurality of nodes on the wireless network comprising receiving at the arbiter requests for a desired bandwidth from the at least one non-arbiter node adjusting dynamically the bandwidth allocated to the at least one non-arbiter node based on the requests and using the unmanned vehicle arbiter to define operation cycles and assign a transmission start time and duration for each cycle to the at least one non-arbiter node;
- using the unmanned vehicle arbiter as a relay for relaying data between two of the non-arbiter nodes;
- launching a relief unmanned vehicle to assume the function of arbiter to replace the unmanned vehicle arbiter when the unmanned vehicle arbiter has low power;
- and
- transferring the arbiter functions to the relief unmanned vehicle to provide a new arbiter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.