System and method for controlling pipeline delays by adjusting the power levels at which nodes in an ad-hoc network transmit data packets

• US 7,106,703 B1
• Filed: 05/28/2002
• Issued: 09/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Belcea, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, BRENDA H
• Application Number:
  US10/155,017
• Time in Patent Office: 1,568 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/332, 370/349, 370/400, 370/338, 370/331, 370/329, 370/351, 455/432.1, 455/13.4, 455/522
• US Class Current: 370/310
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/08 based on transmission power
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/286 during data packet transmission, e.g. high speed packet access [HSPA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A system and method for calculating an optimum transmission power level in an ad-hoc network communication path having a maximum number of transmission hops. The system and method calculates an optimum transmission power level for transmission routes having a maximum number of hops between nodes and transmits the communication using the calculated power level such that a transmission path is achieved that results in a maximum pipeline delay during transmission that does not exceed allowable levels for the service class provided.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a communication path between a plurality of nodes in an ad-hoc multi-hopping network, comprising:

determining a number of allowed transmission hops between nodes in a communication path for a communication traveling from a first node to a second node of said plurality and an optimum transmission power level at which at least one node is said communication path will use for transmission;

locating said communication path between said first and second nodes by using at least one transmission at said optimum transmission power level from said first and second nodes and allowing nodes of said plurality of nodes to adjust transmission power levels at each node to maintain connectivity such that at least one of said first and second node remains at said optimum transmission power level; and

modifying variables of said optimum transmission power level determination and repeating said communication path locating step if said number of allowed transmission hops are exceeded in said communication path.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising determining said number of allowed transmission hops based on the transmission service class of said communication.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising determining said optimum transmission power level based upon,

$P=P_0+\lceil$

20 ⁢

λ

log 10 ⁡

( N 0 N ) ⌉

⁢

⁢

dBm

where P is said optimum transmission power level, P₀ is a minimum transmission power level required to maintain network connectivity, λ

is a space absorption variable, N₀ is a number of transmission hops between said first and second node in a connectivity path, and N is said allowed number of transmission hops.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locating uses at least one transmission at said optimum transmission power level from said first node and allowing nodes of said communication path to adjust transmission power levels at each node of said path to maintain connectivity, wherein said first node remains at said optimum transmission power level.

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

said locating uses at least one transmission at said optimum transmission power level from said first node and allowing nodes of said communication path to adjust transmission power levels at each node of said path to maintain connectivity, wherein said second node remains at said optimum transmission power level.

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

said locating uses at least one transmission at said optimum transmission power level from said first node and allowing nodes of said communication path to adjust transmission power levels at each node of said path to maintain full connectivity between said nodes in said communication path.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising locating said communication path by selecting nodes of said plurality of nodes using said adjusted transmission power levels to form a direct communication path between said first and second nodes having no more than said number of allowed transmission hops.

8. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said space absorption variable λ

may be varied according to path propagation media.

9. A wireless ad-hoc multi-hopping communications network establish a communication path between a plurality of nodes, comprising:

a source node and a destination node;

said source node determine at least one communication path between itself and said destination node based on a number of allowed transmission hops between itself and said destination node, and further determine an optimum transmission power level that at least one node in said communication path will use for transmission;

said source node further locate said communication path between itself and said destination node, and to use at least one transmission at said optimum transmission power level from itself and said destination node while at least one other node is said communication path adjusts its transmission power to maintain connectivity, such that at least one of said node and said destination node remains at said optimum transmission power level; and

wherein said source node further modify variables of said optimum transmission power level determination and repeat said communication path location if said number of allowed transmission hops are exceeded in said communication path.

10. A network as claimed in claim 9, wherein said source node further determine said number of allowed transmission hops based on the transmission service class of said communication.

11. A network as claimed in claim 9, wherein said source node further determine said optimum transmission power level based upon,

$P=P_0+\lceil$

20 ⁢

λ

log 10 ⁡

( N 0 N ) ⌉

⁢

⁢

dBm

where P is said optimum transmission power level, P₀ is a minimum transmission power level required to maintain network connectivity, λ

is a space absorption variable, N₀ is a number of transmission hops between said source node and said destination node in a connectivity path, and N is said allowed number of transmission hops.

12. A network as claimed in claim 9, wherein said source node further remain at said optimum transmission power level.

13. A network as claimed in claim 9, wherein said source node further locate said communication path by selecting nodes of said plurality of nodes using said adjusted transmission power level to form a direct communication path between said source node and said destination node having no more than said number of allowed transmission hops.

14. A network as claimed in claim 11, wherein said source node further vary said space absorption factor λ

according to path propagation media.

15. A network as claimed in claim 9, wherein said source node locate said communication path by using at least one transmission at said optimum transmission power level from said first node and allowing nodes of said communication path to adjust transmission power levels at each node of said path to maintain connectivity, wherein said first node remains at said optimum transmission power level.

16. A network as claimed in claim 9,

wherein said source node locate said communication path by using at least one transmission at said optimum transmission power level from said first node and allowing nodes of said communication path to adjust transmission power levels at each node of said path to maintain connectivity, wherein said second node remains at said optimum transmission power level.

17. A network as claimed in claim 9,

wherein said source node locate said communication path by using at least one transmission at said optimum transmission power level from said first node and allowing nodes of said communication path to adjust transmission power levels at each node of said path to maintain full connectivity between said nodes in said communication path.