Method of operation of a multi-station network
First Claim
1. A method of operating a wireless communication network comprising a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data from an originating station to a destination station via at least one opportunistically selected intermediate station, the method comprising:
- a) defining at least one calling channel, distinct from at least one data channel, on which stations can transmit probe signals to other stations to which any station can respond, receive probe signals from other stations, and monitor probe signals transmitted by other stations;
b) selecting, at intervals, at each station and according to first predetermined criteria, a calling channel for the transmission of probe signals to other stations;
c) transmitting broadcast probe signals from each station at intervals on the selected calling channel, other stations which receive the broadcast probe signals from a given station responding directly, or indirectly via at least one intermediate station, to thereby indicate to the given station their availability as destination or intermediate stations; and
d) evaluating, at the given station, the direct or indirect responses of other stations to said broadcast probe signals according to second predetermined criteria, in order to identify other stations with which the given station can communicate optimally.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a method of operating a communication network. The network comprises numerous stations, each of which can transmit and receive data in order to transmit messages from originating stations to destination stations opportunistically via intermediate stations. Each station selects one of a number of possible calling channels to transmit probe signals to other stations. The probe signals contain data identifying the station in question and include details of its connectivity to other stations. Other stations receiving the probe signals respond directly or indirectly, thereby indicating both to the probing station and other stations their availability as destination or intermediate stations. The probing station evaluates the direct or indirect responses to identify other stations with which it can communicate optimally. For example, the stations may monitor the cumulative power required to reach another station, thereby defining a power gradient to the other stations, with stations selecting a route through the network which optimizes the power gradient. Thus, data throughput through the network is maximized with minimum interference and contention between stations.
157 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of operating a wireless communication network comprising a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data from an originating station to a destination station via at least one opportunistically selected intermediate station, the method comprising:
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a) defining at least one calling channel, distinct from at least one data channel, on which stations can transmit probe signals to other stations to which any station can respond, receive probe signals from other stations, and monitor probe signals transmitted by other stations;
b) selecting, at intervals, at each station and according to first predetermined criteria, a calling channel for the transmission of probe signals to other stations;
c) transmitting broadcast probe signals from each station at intervals on the selected calling channel, other stations which receive the broadcast probe signals from a given station responding directly, or indirectly via at least one intermediate station, to thereby indicate to the given station their availability as destination or intermediate stations; and
d) evaluating, at the given station, the direct or indirect responses of other stations to said broadcast probe signals according to second predetermined criteria, in order to identify other stations with which the given station can communicate optimally. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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9. 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 data from an originating station to a destination station via at least one intermediate station, the method comprising:
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a) defining at least one calling channel, distinct from at least one data channel;
b) selecting, at intervals, at each station and according to first predetermined criteria, a calling channel for the transmission of probe signals to other stations;
c) transmitting probe signals from each station at intervals on the selected calling channel, other stations which receive the probe signals from a given station responding directly, or indirectly via at least one intermediate station, to thereby indicate to the given station their availability as destination or intermediate stations, wherein the probe signals from the given station include data identifying other stations which said given station has detected as being available as destination or intermediate stations, and further wherein the probe signals include power gradient information corresponding to a cumulative transmission power required for each identified station to reach those other identified stations with which said each identified station can communicate, for use by the station receiving the probe signals in selecting other stations with which to communicate; and
d) evaluating, at the given station, the direct or indirect responses of other stations to said probe signals according to second predetermined criteria, in order to identify other stations with which the given station can communicate optimally. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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30. A wireless communication network comprising a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data from an originating station to a destination station via at least one opportunistically selected intermediate station, each of the stations operating in use to:
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a) define at least one calling channel distinct from at least one data channel, on which stations can transmit probe signals to other stations to which any station can respond, receive probe signals from other stations, and monitor probe signals transmitted by other stations;
b) select, at intervals, according to first predetermined criteria, a calling channel or the transmission of probe signals to other stations;
c) transmit broadcast probe signals to other stations at intervals on the selected calling channel, other stations which receive the broadcast probe signals from a given station responding directly or indirectly, via at least one intermediate station, to thereby indicate to the given station their availability as destination or intermediate stations; and
d) evaluate the direct or indirect responses of other stations to said broadcast probe signals according to second predetermined criteria, in order to identify other stations with which the given station can communicate optimally.
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Specification