Network access device for a cargo container security network

摘要

In one embodiment, a wireless bridge for wireless to TCP/IP based communication is provided. The wireless bridge can be with reduced functional devices (RFDs) in a star topology network acting as a network access device (NAD). Another embodiment can be with fully functional devices (FFDs) in a peer-to-peer topology network also capable of operating as a NAD. The network address device includes a processor with memory; a radio frequency transceiver front end communicating with the processor; an antenna coupled to the front end; and a power source providing power to the processor and front end wherein the processor with memory contains computer instructions for executing IEEE 802.15.4 standard compliant operations; transmitting a network access device announcement (NADA) message representative of the initiation of passive network discovery to multiple end devices; determining whether a receiving/designated end device is network compliant; establishing communication with the compliant designated end device; and forwarding the NADA message to the designated end device.