Patent ID: 7801096
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting a hidden node of a wireless data network wherein data is communicated in frame sequences conforming to a MAC protocol, and wherein transmitting in the network includes transmitting a transmission carrier, the method comprising: identifying that one or more frames that are received in a node of the network are part of a frame sequence conforming to the protocol in a node of the network; and determining at the node for at least one identified received frame whether one or more prior frames that belong to the same frame sequence as the at least one identified received frame, and that should have been received given that the at least one identified frame was received, have not been received, wherein the receiving at the node without previously receiving one or more prior frames that should have been received given that the at least one identified frame was received automatically indicates the presence of a suspected hidden node, and wherein at least one of A, B, and C is true, A being that the method further comprises: determining the identity of the suspected hidden node; compiling data on the suspected hidden node; and sending a hidden node report containing the identity of the suspected hidden node to a hidden node manager, A further being that the sending of the hidden node report occurs when or after a settable level of certainty that the suspected hidden node is hidden is achieved, B being that the method further comprises: determining the identity of the suspected hidden node; and sending a hidden node report containing the identity of the suspected hidden node to a hidden node manager, B further being that the MAC protocol includes a hidden node mitigation method, and that the hidden node manager activates the hidden node mitigation method, and C being that receiving a frame in the node includes successfully receiving the transmission carrier and the correct physical layer protocol header of the frame, such that not receiving either the transmission carrier or the physical layer protocol header of the one or more prior frames indicates the presence of the suspected hidden node.