ROUTE AND LINK EVALUATION IN WIRELESS MESH COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS
First Claim
1. A method of route evaluation in a network, comprising:
- sending, from a source node to a receiving node, a number of packets;
calculating, by the source node, a link cost based on the number of packets received by the receiving node;
sending, by the source node to the receiving node, the link cost; and
acknowledging, by the receiving node, each packet received from the source node.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for providing a network and routing protocol for utility services are disclosed. A method includes discovering a utility network. Neighboring nodes are discovered and the node listens for advertised routes for networks from the neighbors. The node is then registered with one or more utility networks, receiving a unique address for each network registration. Each upstream node can independently make forwarding decisions on both upstream and downstream packets, i.e., choose the next hop according to the best information available to it. The node can sense transient link problems, outage problems and traffic characteristics. Information is used to find the best route out of and within each network. Each network node maintains multi-egress, multi-ingress network routing options both for itself and the node(s) associated with it. The node is capable of several route maintenance functions utilizing the basic routing protocol and algorithms.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of route evaluation in a network, comprising:
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sending, from a source node to a receiving node, a number of packets; calculating, by the source node, a link cost based on the number of packets received by the receiving node; sending, by the source node to the receiving node, the link cost; and acknowledging, by the receiving node, each packet received from the source node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 21)
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6. A method of route evaluation in a network, comprising:
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sending, by a source node, a packet to an upstream node; and sending, by the upstream node to the source node, an acknowledgment of the packet, wherein the acknowledgement comprises a link cost from the upstream node to the source node. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of communicating data between nodes in a network, comprising:
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sending, from a first node to a second node, a polling communication to determine if the second node is available; receiving, by the first node, an acknowledgement of the polling communication from the second node; sending, from the first node, data to the second node upon receipt of the acknowledgement; and receiving, by the first node, an acknowledgement of receipt of the data by the second node. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification