System and method for implementing mesh network communications using a mesh network protocol
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A process for discovering a route from a first node to a second node in a mesh network comprising:
- broadcasting by the first node a route request message that is propagated across multiple nodes within the mesh network in accordance with the following process implemented within processors at the multiple nodes;
accepting a route request at a receiving node if;
(i) no previous received route request message had the same request ID; and
(ii) the route request message is received through a link with a minimum LQI class at least equal to the requested one;
identifying the receiving node as a route candidate and(iii) if the route request message is accepted by an intermediate node, re-broadcasting the route request;
(iv) if the route request message is accepted by the second node,sending a route reply message from the second node through the identified route candidate back to the first node to establish a static bidirectional route within the mesh network between the first node and the second node.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The following describes data structures, communication protocol formats and process flows for controlling and facilitating secure communications between the nodes of a mesh network, such as utility meters and gateway nodes comprising a utility network. The enabled processes include association, information exchange, route discovery and maintenance and the like for instituting and maintaining a secure mesh network.
-
Citations
4 Claims
-
1. A process for discovering a route from a first node to a second node in a mesh network comprising:
broadcasting by the first node a route request message that is propagated across multiple nodes within the mesh network in accordance with the following process implemented within processors at the multiple nodes; accepting a route request at a receiving node if; (i) no previous received route request message had the same request ID; and (ii) the route request message is received through a link with a minimum LQI class at least equal to the requested one; identifying the receiving node as a route candidate and (iii) if the route request message is accepted by an intermediate node, re-broadcasting the route request; (iv) if the route request message is accepted by the second node, sending a route reply message from the second node through the identified route candidate back to the first node to establish a static bidirectional route within the mesh network between the first node and the second node.
-
2. A process for upgrading a route from a first node to a second node in a mesh network further comprising:
-
accepting a route request at a receiving node for upgrading the route if; a route candidate already exists for the request ID; the request was received through a link with a minimum LQI class at least equal to the requested one; and the request was received through a better link than the prior received one, as determined by one of the following sets of conditions; (i) the receiving node is a neighbor, the route request is received from a neighbor and a resulting route length is shorter; (ii) the receiving node is not a neighbor, the route request is received from a neighbor and a resulting route length is shorter or equal to existing route length; (iii) the receiving node is not a neighbor, the route request is received from a non-neighbor and a resulting route length is shorter; otherwise rejecting the route request.
-
-
3. A process for requesting a route from a first node to a second node within a mesh network comprising:
-
transmitting a route request message to a pre-determined coordinator node, wherein the route request message includes a long address for the second node; constructing at the coordinator node a route through one or more routing nodes from the first node to the second node; transmitting a response to the route request message to the first node including the route to the second node, wherein the route includes an assigned short address for the second node. - View Dependent Claims (4)
-
Specification