System and method for communication in a wireless mobile ad-hoc network

Abstract

A system and method for improving digital communication in a wireless mobile ad-hoc network. More specifically, the system includes one or more portable network devices operable to support the seamless operation of a self-initializing, self-healing, adaptive portable network. The portable network devices implement protocols that provide bandwidth management capabilities for use with radios, routers and other wireless network devices. Each portable network device includes at least one wireless transceiver, a processor and control software. The processor and control software are logically coupled to the wireless transceiver to facilitate digital communication via a plurality of communication channels with other network devices.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A portable network device, comprising:
 at least one wireless transceiver providing at least one network port;   a processor with a stored program implementing a wireless mesh data communication protocol to communicate received data to other network devices through one or more network ports connected to other devices in the network; and   a visual indicator having at least three visually distinct operating states,   wherein the stored program of the processor determines whether the wireless transceiver is (a) not connected to another portable network device; (b) connected to at least one portable network device; or (c) connected to at least one portable network device with a signal strength exceeding a predetermined threshold defining a strong signal, and actuates the visual indicator in a visually distinct operating state for each of states (a), (b) and (c).   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the visual indicator is a tricolored LED. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , further including a multiposition operating state selection switch connected to selectively place the portable network device into at least operating and data loading states. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising an action switch connected to initiate a specified action depending on the position of the multiposition operating state selection switch. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , further comprising a multiposition configuration switch connected to load one or more predetermined device operating parameters when the operating state selection switch is in a data loading position and the action switch is actuated. 
     
     
         22 . A method of securely loading information into a portable network device operating in a wireless ad-hoc network, comprising:
 a. providing a non-volatile storage in the portable network device to store an operating system, and routing protocols and related configuration settings that control operation of the device in the wireless network;   b. providing an interlock circuit in the portable network device that prevents simultaneously writing to the non-volatile storage and conducting wireless communications;   c. activating the interlock circuit to prevent wireless communications and permit writing to the non-volatile storage;   d. connecting an external data storage medium to the portable network device;   e. retrieving a file from the external data storage medium;   f. validating the file;   g. writing the file to the non-volatile storage; and   h. deactivating the interlock circuit to prevent further writing to the non-volatile storage and permit wireless communications.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the interlock circuit comprises a multiposition switch having a RUN position and a LOAD position. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the step of validating the file includes using public key encryption to verify that the file was generated by an authorized source. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , comprising the further steps of:
 i. Operating the device such that ad-hoc wireless devices that are not authenticated by an administrator are excluded from communications with the portable network device; and   j. Loading an authentication code provided by the administrator into the device using steps (b) through (h).   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the authentication code comprises a public key encryption certificate. 
     
     
         27 - 34 . (canceled)