Implied Acknowledgement Data Transport Protocol For A Multi-Station Network
First Claim
1. A method of operating a communication network comprising a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit a message from an originating station to a destination station via at least one opportunistically selected intermediate station, the method comprising:
- i. transmitting probe signals from each station, other stations which receive the probe signals from a probing station responding directly, or indirectly via other stations, to indicate to the probing station their availability as destination or intermediate stations;
ii. from a station with data to send, transmitting a probe signal comprising a Request to Send message to other available stations, the Request to Send message indicating a need to send data to a particular destination station or stations and including identification information relating to data received previously for onward transmission by the station with data to send;
iii. from said station with data to send, transmitting data opportunistically to reach an available station or stations for onward transmission to said destination station or stations; and
iv. from a station receiving said data for onward transmission, transmitting a further probe signal comprising a Request to Send message including identification information relating to said data, thereby to provide an implied acknowledgement of the received data to the station with data to send and also to other available stations.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of operating a communication network having multiple stations, each able to transmit and receive data, so that the network can transmit a message from an originating station to a destination station via at least one opportunistically selected intermediate station. Stations wishing to transmit data transmit probe signals which are responded to by other stations, thereby to identify available stations. When a station has data to send, it transmits probe signals with Request to Send messages, identifying the data to be sent. When a station receives such data for onward transmission, it transmits its own probe signals with a Request to Send message and including identification information relating to the data. The Request to Send messages are received by other stations in the vicinity, so that they serve as an implied acknowledgement of the receipt of the data by the forwarding station without the need for sending explicit confirmation.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of operating a communication network comprising a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit a message from an originating station to a destination station via at least one opportunistically selected intermediate station, the method comprising:
-
i. transmitting probe signals from each station, other stations which receive the probe signals from a probing station responding directly, or indirectly via other stations, to indicate to the probing station their availability as destination or intermediate stations;
ii. from a station with data to send, transmitting a probe signal comprising a Request to Send message to other available stations, the Request to Send message indicating a need to send data to a particular destination station or stations and including identification information relating to data received previously for onward transmission by the station with data to send;
iii. from said station with data to send, transmitting data opportunistically to reach an available station or stations for onward transmission to said destination station or stations; and
iv. from a station receiving said data for onward transmission, transmitting a further probe signal comprising a Request to Send message including identification information relating to said data, thereby to provide an implied acknowledgement of the received data to the station with data to send and also to other available stations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A communication network comprising a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit a message from an originating station to a destination station via at least one opportunistically selected intermediate station, wherein each station in the network is adapted to:
-
i. transmit probe signals, other stations which receive the probe signals from a probing station responding directly, or indirectly via other stations, to indicate to the probing station their availability as destination or intermediate stations;
ii. transmit a probe signal comprising a Request to Send message to other available stations when the station has data to send, the Request to Send message indicating a need to send data to a particular destination station or stations and including identification information relating to data received previously for onward transmission by the station with data to send;
iii. transmit said data opportunistically to reach an available station or stations for onward transmission to said destination station or stations; and
iv. transmit a further probe signal comprising a Request to Send message including identification information relating to said data when the station receives data for onward transmission, thereby to provide an implied acknowledgement of the received data to the station with data to send and to other available stations.
-
Specification