Wireless communication method and system for routing packets via intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes

• US 8,498,287 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2011
• Issued: 07/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Roy, Vincent, Zuniga, Juan Carlos
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Jr., Otis L
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHIVERS, ASHLEY L
• Application Number:
  US13/154,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20110235516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/351
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/00 Communication routing or communication path finding
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A method and apparatus for routing a packet implemented in a mesh point (MP) of a wireless network are described. According to the method, a plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes are compared. One of the plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes is selected for transmission of the packet based on at least one criterion. The packet is transmitted over the selected one of the plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes.

Claims

1. A method of routing a packet implemented in a mesh point (MP) of a wireless network, the method comprising:

comparing a plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes;

selecting one of the plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes over which to transmit the packet based on at least one criterion; and

transmitting the packet over the selected one of the plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes;

wherein the at least one criterion comprises at least a quality of service (QoS) access class of the packet and a number of hops.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one criterion further comprises at least one of a channel occupancy, a collision rate, a retransmission rate and a throughput for each of the plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one criterion further comprises at least one of a delay requirement of the packet, a jitter requirement of the packet, and a security requirement of the packet.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one criterion further comprises at least one of, throughput and an estimated channel occupancy time associated with each of the plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes.

5. A mesh point (MP) comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a packet;

a processer configured to;

compare a plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes, and

select one of the plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes over which to transmit the packet based on at least one criterion; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the packet over the selected one of the plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes;

wherein the at least one criterion comprises at least a quality of service (QoS) access class of the packet and a number of hops.

6. The mesh point of claim 5, wherein the at least one criterion further comprises at least one of a channel occupancy, a collision rate, a retransmission rate and a throughput for each of the plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes.

7. The mesh point of claim 5, wherein the at least one criterion further comprises at least one of a delay requirement of the packet, a jitter requirement of the packet, and a security requirement of the packet.

8. The mesh point of claim 5, wherein the at least one criterion further comprises at least one of, throughput and an estimated channel occupancy time associated with each of the plurality of intra-mesh and extra-mesh routes.