Methods and Devices for Discovering a Gateway and for Routing Towards said Gateway in a Hybrid Wireless Network

• US 20100008261A1
• Filed: 01/29/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orange S.A.
• Original Assignee: Orange S.A.
• Inventors: Javaid, Usman, Meddour, Djamal-Eddine
• Granted Patent: US 8,605,621 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/04 based on wireless node resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/22 using selective relaying for reaching a BTS [Base Transceiver Station] or an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/248 Connectivity information update
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/26 for hybrid routing by combining proactive and reactive routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 Master-slave selection or change arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A gateway (25) between an ad hoc network (5) and a fixed network (2) in a hybrid telecommunications network (1) selects, from amongst candidate nodes (10) of the ad hoc network (5) that are located one hop from that gateway (25) and that have connectivity with that gateway (25) above a predetermined threshold, at least one gateway node (10′) for relaying at least part of the traffic between other nodes (10) of the ad hoc network (5) and the gateway (25).

Claims

1. A method of managing a hybrid telecommunications network that can be implemented by a gateway between an ad hoc network and a fixed network, comprising a step of selecting, from among candidate nodes of said ad hoc network that are located one hop from said gateway and that have connectivity with said gateway that is above a predetermined threshold, at least one gateway node for relaying at least part of the traffic between other nodes of the ad hoc network and said gateway.

2. The management method according to claim 1, comprising a step of broadcasting only to said at least one gateway node an advertisement message including a route to said gateway.

3. The management method according to claim 2, comprising a step of determining a depth defining a proactive area of said network in order to maximize a gain taking account of the number of active sources in said proactive area and of a cost criterion.

4. The management method according to claim 2, comprising a step of calculating a period taking account of an activity and of a mobility of the nodes of said ad hoc network and a step of waiting for said period between two successive broadcasts of said advertisement message.

5. The management method according to claim 3, comprising a step of adjusting said depth to satisfy at least one rule aiming to improve the distribution of said traffic between said gateway and at least one other gateway neighbour of said gateway.

6. The management method according to claim 3, comprising a step of reducing said depth and a period between two successive broadcasts of said advertisement message if the activity of the nodes of said ad hoc network decreases.

7. A computer program including instructions for executing the steps of the management method according to claim 1 when said program is executed by a computer.

8. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program comprising instructions for executing the steps of the management method according to claim 1.

9. A gateway adapted to be used in a hybrid telecommunications network between an ad hoc network and a fixed network, comprising means for selecting, from among candidate nodes of said ad hoc network that are located one hop from said gateway and that have connectivity with said gateway that is above a predetermined threshold, at least one gateway node for relaying at least part of the traffic between other nodes of the ad hoc network and said gateway.

18. A system for discovering a gateway and routing data towards that gateway in a hybrid telecommunications network comprising:

a gateway according to claim 9; and

a plurality of nodes of an ad hoc network, with each node comprising;

means for verifying whether said node is located one hop from a gateway between said ad hoc network and a fixed network and whether it has connectivity with said gateway above a predetermined threshold; and

means for requesting its registering by said gateway as a gateway node for relaying at least part of the traffic between other nodes of the ad hoc network and said gateway.

10. A data transfer method that can be implemented by a node of an ad hoc network, comprising:

a step during which said node verifies whether it is located one hop from a gateway between said ad hoc network and a fixed network and whether it has connectivity with said gateway above a predetermined threshold; and

, if so;

a step of requesting registering of said node by said gateway as a gateway node for relaying at least part of the traffic between other nodes of the ad hoc network and said gateway.

11. The transfer method according to claim 10, comprising:

a step of receiving an advertisement message including a route to said gateway; and

a step of rebroadcasting said advertisement message in said ad hoc network if said node is located in a proactive area of said network defined by a depth fixed by said gateway.

12. The transfer method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of extending said proactive area during which said node rebroadcasts said advertisement message if that node knows of at least one active source in said ad hoc network separated from said gateway by a number of hops greater than said depth.

13. The transfer method according to claim 11, comprising a step during which said node, having received a plurality of said advertisement messages, refrains from rebroadcasting at least one of said advertisement messages if it is received from a gateway node offering a quality of service below a predetermined threshold.

14. The transfer method according to claim 11, comprising:

if said node is registered as a gateway node, a step (F22) of inserting into said advertisement message a measurement of the quality of the link between this gateway node and said gateway; and

, in all circumstances;

a step of updating a measurement representing the quality of at least some existing paths between that node and said at least one gateway node; and

a step of selecting one of said paths for routing the traffic to said gateway according to said measurements.

16. A computer program including instructions for executing the steps of the transfer method according to claim 10 when said program is executed by a computer.

17. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program including instructions for executing the steps of the transfer method according to claim 10.

15. A node of an ad hoc network, comprising;

means for verifying whether said node is located one hop from a gateway between said ad hoc network and a fixed network and whether it has connectivity with said gateway above a predetermined threshold; and

means for requesting its registering by said gateway as a gateway node for relaying at least part of the traffic between other nodes of the ad hoc network and said gateway.