POSITION DETERMINATION OF MOBILE STATIONS IN A WIRELESS NETWORK

摘要

The invention relates to a network, and a method of operating a network. The network includes a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data between stations via at least one selected intermediate station. Each station transmits probe signals in broadcast fashion to other stations to gather a list of neighbor stations. The stations transmit position data and/or position determining data in at least some of the probe signals. The position data includes data indicative of the absolute or relative position of a station transmitting a probe signal, and the position determining data includes data usable by a station receiving a probe signal to determine the absolute or relative position of the station and/or other stations. Each station maintains position data and/or position determining data received from selected probing stations, and utilizes the data to determine the absolute or relative position of itself and/or other stations. The stations can determine the relative or absolute position of other stations in direct communication with themselves, and also of other stations not in direct communication with themselves.

主权项

1. A method of operating a station in an Opportunity Driven Multiple Access (ODMA) network, the method comprising:
transmitting outgoing probe signals from the station, wherein the outgoing probe signals indicate availability of the station to receive or relay data, wherein transmission of a first of the outgoing probe signals increases in power relative to at least a second of the outgoing probe signals until an at least one connected neighbor has replied; transmitting position identifying data in at least one of the outgoing probe signals, wherein the position identifying data in the at least one of the outgoing probe signals indicates a position of the station; receiving position identifying data from at least one incoming probe signal from the at least one connected neighbor, wherein the position identifying data from the at least one incoming probe signal indicates a position of the at least one connected neighbor; determining a position data of the station using the incoming probe signals; updating the position data to account for a movement of either the station or the at least one connected neighbor; and transmitting network data using the position data; wherein the station is a seed station.