Method and apparatus for optimized routing in networks that include free space directional links
First Claim
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1. A free space directional link monitor, comprising:
- an analysis module to analyze a characteristic of a signal received via a free space directional link to produce an analysis result; and
a status module to generate a link status update that includes at least one of the analysis result and information related to the analysis result;
wherein the link status update is received by a router or a routing layer.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus is described for optimized routing in networks that include a free space directional link. A free space directional link within a network is monitored at the physical and/or data link layer and a router/routing layer protocol is notified regarding the status of the monitored free space directional link. By monitoring the transmitted signal at the physical and/or data link layer, the present invention avoids reliance upon less frequent control messages to determine free space directional link status, thereby allowing the router/routing layer to be notified more quickly of, and respond more quickly to, changes in free space directional link status.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A free space directional link monitor, comprising:
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an analysis module to analyze a characteristic of a signal received via a free space directional link to produce an analysis result; and
a status module to generate a link status update that includes at least one of the analysis result and information related to the analysis result;
wherein the link status update is received by a router or a routing layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A router for routing a message within a network that supports a free space directional link, the router comprising:
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a control module to receive and process a status update containing information related to a status of the free space directional link; and
a routing module to route the message based at least in part upon information contained within the status update;
wherein the status update is generated by a free space directional link monitor based upon an analysis of a characteristic of a signal received via the free space directional link. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for monitoring a free space directional link, the method comprising:
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(a) analyzing a characteristic of a signal received via the free space directional link to produce an analysis result; and
(b) generating a link status update that includes at least one of the analysis result and information related to the analysis result;
wherein the link status update is received by a router or a routing layer - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for routing a message within a network that supports a free space directional link, the method comprising:
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(a) receiving and processing a status update containing information related to a status of a free space directional link; and
(b) routing the message based at least in part upon information contained within the status update;
wherein the status update is based upon an analysis of a characteristic of a signal received via the free space directional link. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A program product apparatus having a computer readable medium with computer program logic recorded thereon for monitoring a free space directional link, said program product apparatus comprising:
an analysis module to analyze a characteristic of a signal received via a free space directional link to produce an analysis result; and
a status module to generate a link status update that includes at least one of the analysis result and information related to the analysis result;
wherein the link status update is received by a router or a routing layer - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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38. A program product apparatus having a computer readable medium with computer program logic recorded thereon for routing a message within a network that supports a free space directional link, said program product apparatus comprising:
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a control module to receive and process a status update containing information related to a status of the free space directional link;
a routing module to route the message based at least in part upon information contained within the status update;
wherein the status update is generated by a free space directional link monitor based upon an analysis of a characteristic of a signal received via the free space directional link. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
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Specification