Multi-hop packet radio networks
First Claim
1. A communication network comprising a plurality of stations (A to O) each able to transmit and receive message data, each station comprising:
- transmitter means (12, 14, 18, 20) for transmitting data to other stations; and
receiver means (12, 14, 16, 20) for receiving data from other stations;
and characterized in that it further comprises;
monitoring means for monitoring at least one characteristic of respective channels between an originating station (A) and other stations corresponding to the quality of the signal path via each of said channels;
decision means for opportunistically selecting at least one other station as an intermediate station for transmission of message data from the originating station (A) to a destination station (O), at the time of transmission of the message data, according to predetermined criteria including (1) the monitored quality of the signal path between the transmitting station and potential intermediate stations, so that the transmission takes place during peaks of opportunity, and (2) the determined probability of the receiving station'"'"'s ability to relay the message data to the destination station (O), wherein no dedicated routing information is passed across the network; and
control means for adjusting at least one parameter of a transmission signal transmitted by the transmitter means according to the monitored at least one characteristic of the respective channel to increase the probability of the transmission signal being received successfully by the selected intermediate station.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An adaptive communication system utilises opportunistic peak-mode transmissions to transmit data between originating and destination stations, via one or more intermediate stations. Each station monitors the activity of other stations in the network, storing connectivity information for use in subsequent transmissions. Each station also sends out probe signals from time to time, to establish which other stations are in range. Messages are then sent across the network from station to station, with confirmation data being transmitted back to the originating station, until the destination station is reached. Old messages, which would otherwise clog the network, are timed out and deleted. A communication network and transceiver apparatus for use in the network are also disclosed.
135 Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A communication network comprising a plurality of stations (A to O) each able to transmit and receive message data, each station comprising:
-
transmitter means (12, 14, 18, 20) for transmitting data to other stations; and receiver means (12, 14, 16, 20) for receiving data from other stations; and characterized in that it further comprises; monitoring means for monitoring at least one characteristic of respective channels between an originating station (A) and other stations corresponding to the quality of the signal path via each of said channels; decision means for opportunistically selecting at least one other station as an intermediate station for transmission of message data from the originating station (A) to a destination station (O), at the time of transmission of the message data, according to predetermined criteria including (1) the monitored quality of the signal path between the transmitting station and potential intermediate stations, so that the transmission takes place during peaks of opportunity, and (2) the determined probability of the receiving station'"'"'s ability to relay the message data to the destination station (O), wherein no dedicated routing information is passed across the network; and control means for adjusting at least one parameter of a transmission signal transmitted by the transmitter means according to the monitored at least one characteristic of the respective channel to increase the probability of the transmission signal being received successfully by the selected intermediate station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. Communication apparatus for use as a station in a communication network comprising a plurality of stations (A to O)) each able to transmit and receive message data, the communication apparatus comprising:
-
transmitter means (12, 14, 18, 20) for transmitting data to other stations; and receiver means (12, 14, 16, 20) for receiving data from other stations; and characterized in that it further comprises; monitoring means for monitoring at least one characteristic of respective channels between the apparatus, operating as an originating station (A) and other stations; decision means for opportunistically selecting at least one other station as an intermediate station for transmission of message data from the originating station (A) to a destination station (O), at the time of transmission of the message data, according to predetermined criteria including (1) the monitored quality of the signal path between the transmitting station and potential intermediate stations, so that the transmission takes place during peaks of opportunity, and (2) the determined probability of the receiving station'"'"'s ability to relay the message data to the destination station (O), wherein no dedicated routing information is passed across the network; and control means for adjusting at least one parameter of a transmission signal transmitted by the transmitter means according to the monitored at least one characteristic of the respective channel to increase the probability of the transmission signal being received successfully by the selected intermediate station. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A communication network comprising a plurality of stations (A to O) each able to transmit and receive message data, each station comprising:
-
transmitter means (12, 14, 18, 20) for transmitting data to other stations; and receiver means (12, 14, 16, 20) for receiving data from other stations; and characterized in that it further comprises; monitoring means for monitoring at least one characteristic of respective channels between an originating station (A) and other stations; decision means for opportunistically selecting, at the time of transmission of message data, at least one other station as an intermediate station (B) for onward transmission of said message data from the originating station (A) to a destination station (O), according to the determined probability of said at least one other station'"'"'s ability to relay the message data to the destination station (O), wherein no dedicated routing information is passed across the network; and control means for adjusting at least one parameter of a transmission signal transmitted by the transmitter means to increase the probability of the transmission signal being received successfully by the selected at least one intermediate station.
-
-
31. Communication apparatus for use as a station in a communication network comprising a plurality of stations (A to O)) each able to transmit and receive message data, the communication apparatus comprising:
-
transmitter means (12, 14, 18, 20) for transmitting data to other stations; and receiver means (12, 14, 16, 20) for receiving data from other stations; and characterized in that it further comprises; monitoring means for monitoring at least one characteristic of respective channels between the apparatus, operating as an originating station (A) and other stations; decision means for opportunistically selecting another station (B), at the time of transmission of message data, as an intermediate station for onward transmission of said message data from the originating station (A) to a destination station (O) according to the determined probability of said at least one other station'"'"'s ability to relay the message data to the destination station (O), wherein no dedicated routing information is passed across the network; and control means for adjusting at least one parameter of a transmission signal transmitted by the transmitter means to increase the probability of the transmission signal being received successfully by the selected intermediate station.
-
Specification