Wireless Transit Link Discovery and Establishment
First Claim
1. A method for allowing a mesh node to discover a neighboring mesh node in a mesh network comprising:
- providing a channel assessment for a plurality of communication channels based on channel traffic or characteristics of the channel traffic present on the plurality of communication channels;
selecting a candidate channel from the plurality of communication channels based on the channel assessment;
transmitting a discovery message over the candidate channel; and
receiving a response to the discovery message from the neighboring mesh node, wherein receiving the response is indicative of being able to establish a transit link with the neighboring mesh node.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a technique for allowing neighboring nodes to dynamically discover the existence of each other and establish transit links therebetween. The discovery process includes providing a channel assessment among a number of communication channels based on channel traffic or characteristics of the channel traffic. Based on the channel assessment, a candidate channel is selected and the mesh node will begin transmitting discovery messages and listening for responses to the discovery messages from neighboring mesh nodes. Upon receipt of a response, the mesh node can determine whether a transit link can and should be established with the neighboring node. During establishment of a transit link, a lower layer communication link is established with the neighboring mesh node for scheduling and authentication of the respective mesh nodes with respect to each other, prior to activation of the transit link itself. The transit link will be used for forwarding data.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A method for allowing a mesh node to discover a neighboring mesh node in a mesh network comprising:
-
providing a channel assessment for a plurality of communication channels based on channel traffic or characteristics of the channel traffic present on the plurality of communication channels;
selecting a candidate channel from the plurality of communication channels based on the channel assessment;
transmitting a discovery message over the candidate channel; and
receiving a response to the discovery message from the neighboring mesh node, wherein receiving the response is indicative of being able to establish a transit link with the neighboring mesh node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A mesh node adapted to discover a neighboring mesh node in a mesh network comprising:
-
a first communication interface adapted to facilitate communications with other mesh nodes, including the neighboring mesh node, which form part of the mesh network;
a second communication interface adapted to facilitate communications with communication terminals requiring access to the mesh network; and
a control system associated with the first and second communication interfaces and adapted to;
provide a channel assessment for a plurality of communication channels based on channel traffic or characteristics of the channel traffic present on the plurality of communication channels;
select a candidate channel from the plurality of communication channels based on the channel assessment;
transmit a discovery message over the candidate channel; and
receive a response to the discovery message from the neighboring mesh node, wherein receiving the response is indicative of being able to establish a transit link with the neighboring mesh node.
-
-
23-42. -42. (canceled)
Specification