System and method for enabling a node in an ad-hoc packet-switched wireless communications network to route packets based on packet content

• US 6,754,188 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stanforth, Peter J., Garahi, Masood
• Primary Examiner(s): VANDERPUYE, KENNETH N
• Application Number:
  US09/964,692
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310.1, 370/310.2, 370/328, 370/329, 370/338, 370/352, 370/392
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/306 Route determination based on the nature of the carried application
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/248 Connectivity information update
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/28 for reactive routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A system and method for enabling a node, such as a mobile user terminal, in a wireless communications network to route data packets to other nodes in the network based on the information contained in the data packets. The system and method employs a node, adapted for use in a wireless communications network, which comprises a controller that is adapted to examine a content of a data packet addressed to a destination node, that can have an Internet protocol (IP) address to which the data packet is addressed. Based on the content of the data packet, the controller selects a routing path including at least one of a plurality of other nodes in the network via which the data packet is to be routed to the destination node. The controller can compare the content of the data packet to routing information stored in a memory, and select the routing path based on the comparison. Depending on the whether the content is voice, video, file transfer protocol or bulk file transfer type data, to name a few, the controller can select as the routing path a routing path via which the data packet is deliverable from the node to the destination node with low latency, low bit error rate, or in a best effort manner.

Claims

1. A node, adapted for use in a wireless communications network, said node comprising:

a controller, adapted to examine a content of a data packet addressed to a destination node and, based on said content of said data packet, to select a routing path including at least one of a plurality of other nodes in said network via which said data packet is to be routed to said destination node;

wherein when said controller determines that said content includes voice data, said controller selects as said routing path a routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node in a period of time which is less than a predetermined duration of time; and

wherein said controller is further adapted to examine a content of another data packet addressed to said destination node and to assess a criteria of said routing path, and based on the content of said another data packet and the assessed criteria, determine whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

2. A node as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a transceiver, adapted to transmit said data packet to any of a plurality of nodes in a wireless communications network; and

wherein said controller is adapted to control said transceiver to transmit said data packet to said at least one node in said selected routing path.

3. A node as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said controller is further adapted to compare said content of said data packet to routing information stored in a memory, and to select said routing path based on said comparison.

4. A node as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said routing information includes routing information pertaining to an ability of at least one of said nodes to route said data packet to another one of said nodes.

5. A node as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

when said controller determines that said content includes video data, said controller selects as said routing path a routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node with a bit error rate less than a predetermined bit error rate.

6. A node as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

when said controller determines that said content includes a particular type of data, said controller selects as said routing path substantially any available routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node.

7. A node as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said destination node has an Internet protocol (IP) address to which said data packet is addressed.

55. A node as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the wireless communications network comprises a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer network in which said node is operable and mobile while its controller performs the functions of examining the content of said data packet and choosing at least one of said other nodes for said routing path instead of a different one of said other nodes due to the content of said data packet and respective link conditions between said node and said at least one other node and said different node, and while its controller performs the functions of examining the content of said another data packet, assessing said criteria of said routing path and determining whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

8. A method for controlling a node, adapted for use in a wireless communications network, to transmit a data packet to a destination node, said method comprising:

examining a content of said data packet addressed to said destination node;

based on said content of said data packet, selecting a routing path including at least one of a plurality of other nodes in said network via which said data packet is to be routed to said destination node;

wherein when said examining determines that said content includes voice data, said selecting selects as said routing path a routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node in a period of time which is less than a predetermined duration of time; and

wherein the method further comprises examining a content of another data packet addressed to said destination node and to assess a criteria of said routing path, and based on the content of said another data packet and the assessed criteria, determining whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

transmitting said data packet to said at least one node in said selected routing path.

10. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

comparing said content of said data packet to routing information stored in a memory; and

wherein said selecting includes selecting said routing path based on said comparison.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said routing information includes routing information pertaining to an ability of at least one of said nodes to route said data packet to another one of said nodes.

12. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

when said examining determines that said content includes video data, said selecting selects as said routing path a routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node with a bit error rate less than a predetermined bit error rate.

13. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

when said examining determines that said content includes a particular type of data, said selecting selects as said routing path substantially any available routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node.

14. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said destination node has an Internet protocol (IP) address to which said data packet is addressed.

56. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

the wireless communications network comprises a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer network in which said node is operable and mobile while said node performs the functions of examining the content of said data packet and choosing at least one of said other nodes for said routing path instead of a different one of said other nodes due to the content of said data packet and respective link conditions between said node and said at least one other node and said different node, and while said node performs the functions of examining the content of said another data packet, assessing said criteria of said routing path and determining whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

15. A computer readable medium of instructions for controlling a node, adapted for use in a wireless communications network, to transmit a data packet to a destination node, said computer readable medium of instructions comprising:

a first set of instructions, adapted to control said node to examine a content of said data packet addressed to said destination node;

a second set of instructions, adapted to control said node, based on said content of said data packet, to select a routing path including at least one of a plurality of other nodes in said network via which said data packet is to be routed to said destination node;

wherein when said examining determines that said content includes voice data, said second set of instructions is adapted to control said node to select as said routing path a routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node in a period of time which is less than a predetermined duration of time; and

said computer readable medium of instructions further comprises a third set of instructions, adapted to control said node to examine a content of another data packet addressed to said destination node and to assess a criteria of said routing path, and based on the content of said another data packet and the assessed criteria, determine whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routine path.

16. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:

a third set of instructions, adapted to control said node to transmit said data packet to said at least one node in said selected routing path.

17. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, adapted to control said node to compare said content of said data packet to routing information stored in a memory; and

wherein said second set of instructions is adapted to control said node to select said routing path based on said comparison.

18. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said routing information includes routing information pertaining to an ability of at least one of said nodes to route said data packet to another one of said nodes.

19. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

when said examining determines that said content includes video data, said second set of instructions is adapted to control said node to select as said routing path a routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node with a bit error rate less than a predetermined bit error rate.

20. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

when said examining determines that said content includes a particular type of data, said second set of instructions is adapted to control said node to select as said routing path substantially any available routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node.

21. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

said destination node has an Internet protocol (IP) address to which said data packet is addressed.

57. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

the wireless communications network comprises a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer network in which said node is operable and mobile while said node performs the functions of examining the content of said data packet and choosing at least one of said other nodes for said routing path instead of a different one of said other nodes due to the content of said data packet and respective link conditions between said node and said at least one other node and said different node, and while said node performs the functions of examining the content of said another data packet, assessing said criteria of said routing path and determining whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

22. A node, adapted for use in a wireless communications network, said node comprising:

a controller, adapted to examine a content of a data packet addressed to a destination node and, based on said content of said data packet, to select a routing path including at least one of a plurality of other nodes in said network via which said data packet is to be routed to said destination node;

wherein when said controller determines that said content includes video data, said controller selects as said routing path a routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node with a bit error rate less than a predetermined bit error rate; and

wherein said controller is further adapted to examine a content of another data packet addressed to said destination node and to assess a criteria of said routing path, and based on the content of said another data packet and the assessed criteria, determine whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

23. A node as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:

a transceiver, adapted to transmit said data packet to any of a plurality of nodes in a wireless communications network; and

wherein said controller is adapted to control said transceiver to transmit said data packet to said at least one node in said selected routing path.

24. A node as claimed in claim 22, wherein:

said controller is further adapted to compare said content of said data packet to routing information stored in a memory, and to select said routing path based on said comparison.

25. A node as claimed in claim 24, wherein:

said routing information includes routing information pertaining to an ability of at least one of said nodes to route said data packet to another one of said nodes.

26. A node as claimed in claim 22, wherein:

when said controller determines that said content includes a particular type of data, said controller selects as said routing path substantially any available routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node.

27. A node as claimed in claim 22, wherein:

said destination node has an Internet protocol (IP) address to which said data packet is addressed.

58. A node as claimed in claim 22, wherein:

the wireless communications network comprises a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer network in which said node is operable and mobile while its controller performs the functions of examining the content of said data packet and choosing at least one of said other nodes for said routing path instead of a different one of said other nodes due to the content of said data packet and respective link conditions between said node and said at least one other node and said different node, and while its controller performs the functions of examining the content of said another data packet, assessing said criteria of said routing path and determining whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

28. A node, adapted for use in a wireless communications network, said node comprising:

a controller, adapted to examine a content of a data packet addressed to a destination node and, based on said content of said data packet, to select a routing path including at least one of a plurality of other nodes in said network via which said data packet is to be routed to said destination node;

wherein when said controller determines that said content includes a particular type of data, said controller selects as said routing path substantially any available routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node; and

wherein said controller is further adapted to examine a content of another data packet addressed to said destination node and to assess a criteria of said routing path, and based on the content of said another data packet and the assessed criteria, determine whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

29. A node as claimed in claim 28, further comprising:

a transceiver, adapted to transmit said data packet to any of a plurality of nodes in a wireless communications network; and

wherein said controller is adapted to control said transceiver to transmit said data packet to said at least one node in said selected routing path.

30. A node as claimed in claim 28, wherein:

said controller is further adapted to compare said content of said data packet to routing information stored in a memory, and to select said routing path based on said comparison.

31. A node as claimed in claim 30, wherein:

said routing information includes routing information pertaining to an ability of at least one of said nodes to route said data packet to another one of said nodes.

32. A node as claimed in claim 28, wherein:

said destination node has an Internet protocol (IP) address to which said data packet is addressed.

59. A node as claimed in claim 28, wherein:

the wireless communications network comprises a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer network in which said node is operable and mobile while its controller performs the functions of examining the content of said data packet and choosing at least one of said other nodes for said routing path instead of a different one of said other nodes due to the content of said data packet and respective link conditions between said node and said at least one other node and said different node, and while its controller performs the functions of examining the content of said another data packet, assessing said criteria of said routing path and determining whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

33. A method for controlling a node, adapted for use in a wireless communications network, to transmit a data packet to a destination node, said method comprising:

examining a content of said data packet addressed to said destination node;

based on said content of said data packet, selecting a routing path including at least one of a plurality of other nodes in said network via which said data packet is to be routed to said destination node;

wherein when said examining determines that said content includes video data, said selecting selects as said routing path a routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node with a bit error rate less than a predetermined bit error rate; and

wherein the method further comprises examining a content of another data packet addressed to said destination node and to assess a criteria of said routing path, and based on the content of said another data packet and the assessed criteria, determining whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

34. A method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising:

transmitting said data packet to said at least one node in said selected routing path.

35. A method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising:

comparing said content of said data packet to routing information stored in a memory; and

wherein said selecting includes selecting said routing path based on said comparison.

36. A method as claimed in claim 35, wherein:

said routing information includes routing information pertaining to an ability of at least one of said nodes to route said data packet to another one of said nodes.

37. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein:

when said examining determines that said content includes a particular type of data, said selecting selects as said routing path substantially any available routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node.

38. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein:

said destination node has an Internet protocol (IP) address to which said data packet is addressed.

60. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein:

the wireless communications network comprises a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer network in which said node is operable and mobile while said node performs the functions of examining the content of said data packet and choosing at least one of said other nodes for said routing path instead of a different one of said other nodes due to the content of said data packet and respective link conditions between said node and said at least one other node and said different node, and while said node performs the functions of examining the content of said another data packet, assessing said criteria of said routing path and determining whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

39. A method for controlling a node, adapted for use in a wireless communications network, to transmit a data packet to a destination node, said method comprising:

examining a content of said data packet addressed to said destination node;

based on said content of said data packet, selecting a routing path including at least one of a plurality of other nodes in said network via which said data packet is to be routed to said destination node;

wherein when said examining determines that said content includes a particular type of data, said selecting selects as said routing path substantially any available routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node; and

wherein the method further comprises examining a content of another data packet addressed to said destination node and to assess a criteria of said routing path, and based on the content of said another data packet and the assessed criteria, determining whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

40. A method as claimed in claim 39, further comprising:

transmitting said data packet to said at least one node in said selected routing path.

41. A method as claimed in claim 39, further comprising:

comparing said content of said data packet to routing information stored in a memory; and

wherein said selecting includes selecting said routing path based on said comparison.

42. A method as claimed in claim 41, wherein:

said routing information includes routing information pertaining to an ability of at least one of said nodes to route said data packet to another one of said nodes.

43. A method as claimed in claim 39, wherein:

said destination node has an Internet protocol (IP) address to which said data packet is addressed.

61. A method as claimed in claim 39, wherein:

the wireless communications network comprises a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer network in which said node is operable and mobile while said node performs the functions of examining the content of said data packet and choosing at least one of said other nodes for said routing path instead of a different one of said other nodes due to the content of said data packet and respective link conditions between said node and said at least one other node and said different node, and while said node performs the functions of examining the content of said another data packet, assessing said criteria of said routing path and determining whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

44. A computer readable medium of instructions for controlling a node, adapted for use in a wireless communications network, to transmit a data packet to a destination node, said computer readable medium of instructions comprising:

a first set of instructions, adapted to control said node to examine a content of said data packet addressed to said destination node;

a second set of instructions, adapted to control said node, based on said content of said data packet, to select a routing path including at least one of a plurality of other nodes in said network via which said data packet is to be routed to said destination node;

wherein when said examining determines that said content includes video data, said second set of instructions is adapted to control said node to select as said routing path a routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node with a bit error rate less than a predetermined bit error rate; and

said computer readable medium of instructions further comprises a third set of instructions, adapted to control said node to examine a content of another data packet addressed to said destination node and to assess a criteria of said routing path, and based on the content of said another data packet and the assessed criteria, determine whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

45. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 44, further comprising:

a third set of instructions, adapted to control said node to transmit said data packet to said at least one node in said selected routing path.

46. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 44, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, adapted to control said node to compare said content of said data packet to routing information stored in a memory; and

wherein said second set of instructions is adapted to control said node to select said routing path based on said comparison.

47. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 46, wherein:

said routing information includes routing information pertaining to an ability of at least one of said nodes to route said data packet to another one of said nodes.

48. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 44, wherein:

when said examining determines that said content includes a particular type of data, said second set of instructions is adapted to control said node to select as said routing path substantially any available routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node.

49. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 44, wherein:

said destination node has an Internet protocol (IP) address to which said data packet is addressed.

62. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 44, wherein:

the wireless communications network comprises a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer network in which said node is operable and mobile while said node performs the functions of examining the content of said data packet and choosing at least one of said other nodes for said routing path instead of a different one of said other nodes due to the content of said data packet and respective link conditions between said node and said at least one other node and said different node, and while said node performs the functions of examining the content of said another data packet, assessing said criteria of said routing path and determining whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

50. A computer readable medium of instructions for controlling a node, adapted for use in a wireless communications network, to transmit a data packet to a destination node, said computer readable medium of instructions comprising:

a first set of instructions, adapted to control said node to examine a content of said data packet addressed to said destination node;

a second set of instructions, adapted to control said node, based on said content of said data packet, to select a routing path including at least one of a plurality of other nodes in said network via which said data packet is to be routed to said destination node;

wherein when said examining determines that said content includes a particular type of data, said second set of instructions is adapted to control said node to select as said routing path substantially any available routing path via which said data packet is deliverable from said node to said destination node; and

said computer readable medium of instructions further comprises a third set of instructions, adapted to control said node to examine a content of another data packet addressed to said destination node and to assess a criteria of said routing path, and based on the content of said another data packet and the assessed criteria, determine whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.

51. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 50, further comprising:

a third set of instructions, adapted to control said node to transmit said data packet to said at least one node in said selected routing path.

52. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 50, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions, adapted to control said node to compare said content of said data packet to routing information stored in a memory; and

wherein said second set of instructions is adapted to control said node to select said routing path based on said comparison.

53. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 52, wherein:

said routing information includes routing information pertaining to an ability of at least one of said nodes to route said data packet to another one of said nodes.

54. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 50, wherein:

said destination node has an Internet protocol (IP) address to which said data packet is addressed.

63. A computer readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 50, wherein:

the wireless communications network comprises a wireless ad-hoc peer-to-peer network in which said node is operable and mobile while said node performs the functions of examining the content of said data packet and choosing at least one of said other nodes for said routing path instead of a different one of said other nodes due to the content of said data packet and respective link conditions between said node and said at least one other node and said different node, and while said node performs the functions of examining the content of said another data packet, assessing said criteria of said routing path and determining whether to route said another data packet along said routing path or to select a different routing path.