Wireless mesh routing method

• US RE44,607 E1
• Filed: 08/23/2012
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: JSDQ Mesh Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: JSDQ Mesh Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Schloemer, Jerry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gelin, Jean
• Application Number:
  US13/593,059
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 455/62, 455/63.4, 455/11.1, 455/436, 455/445, 455/450, 455/432.3, 455/552.1, 455/562.1, 455/561, 455/513, 455/13.1, 455/525, 455/435.2, 455/560, 370/334, 370/315, 370/216, 370/238, 370/351
• US Class Current: 455/445
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2606 Arrangements for base station coverage control, e.g. by using relays in tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/26 Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 using beam steering
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/00 Communication routing or communication path finding
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/06 based on characteristics of available antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/12 Setup of transport tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/045 between access point and backbone network device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/16 Interfaces between hierarchically similar devices

Abstract

A routing system of call connection and call routing for radio telephone communications system including cellular radio systems wherein the mobiles transmit on channels in a first band, and the bases transmit on channels in a second band. The routes are selectable from more than one possible route to a desired destination using routing tables to permit different destinations for different calls selectively based on telephone number indications. The system includes multiple blind nodes that do not support direct base to mobile communication. The blind nodes transmitting in the band used for transmission by the mobiles, and nodes receive in the band used for receiving by the mobiles such that the system performs in a limited number of bands of frequencies.

Claims

1. In multi-node, multi-remote radio telephone systems, a method of call connection and call routing between said multiple nodes comprising:

a) using destination number designations and routing tables to select different routes for different calls;

b) utilizing directional or beam antennae for communications between said nodes;

c) providing a first set of beams from a first node, and providing a second set of beams from a second node, a beam from the first node and a beam from the second node comprising a pair;

d) measuring the signal strengths created by pairs of beams; and

e) selecting a beam pair between different nodes with the highest signal strength, for communications by eliminating beam pairs that have the weaker signals,

whereby the multi-nodes comprise base sites, repeaters, and exchanges,

wherein the exchanges may be from different radio telephone systems.

2. In a multi-node, multi-remote radio telephone communications system including cellular radio systems wherein the mobiles transmit in a first band and receive in a second band, and the bases transmit in said second band and receive in said first band, a routing system of call connection and call routing comprising the following;

a) routing tables to permit different destinations for different calls selectively based on telephone number indications;

b) multiple blind nodes, each of which comprises a combination of a repeater and routing tables, said blind nodes using said routing tables to selectively communicate with base sites required to establish the selected routes;

c) said blind nodes transmitting in the band used for transmission by the mobiles;

d) said blind nodes receiving in the band used for receiving by the mobiles; and

e) each said selected route comprising a path that alternates between blind nodes and bases;

whereby the entire system performs in a limited number of bands of frequencies.

3. A method of providing at least two radio communication routes among individual nodes capable of distribution arbitrarily relative to each other, the method comprising:

establishing radio links between respective pairs of said nodes using radio signals transmitted from said nodes and received by other said nodes, wherein at least some of said radio signals include routing messages;

using a directional radio signal transmitted from one said node in a directional link and received directly by the other said node in said directional link;

measuring a parameter of radio signals received by at least some of said nodes;

transmitting from at least some of said nodes radio signals with associated routing messages based on said measured parameter; and

assembling radio communication routes between at least two originating nodes and at least one destination node, wherein computers in a plurality of said nodes use routing messages received by said nodes to assemble said routes independently of any computer separate from said nodes in said routes and without regard to the relative locations of said nodes in a said route, both said routes including at least one said directional link.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein no node in a said radio communication route between an originating node and a destination node simultaneously transmits and receives in the same band of frequencies.

5. A method as claim 3, wherein said directional radio signal is received by said other node in a said directional link using an antenna that utilizes a directional pattern to strengthen the received radio signal.

6. A method as in claim 3, wherein said directional radio signal is transmitted in a direction selected from one of a plurality of possible directions.

7. A method as in claim 3, wherein at least one route segment comprises at least two said radio links selected based on a value of the parameter in a received routing message and a measured value of the parameter of a received radio signal.

8. A method as in claim 3, wherein said computers use a predetermined criteria for measuring a quality of a selected route and a selected route has a higher quality than at least two other possible routes between an originating node and said destination node.

9. A method as in claim 3, further comprising using the routing messages to select node-to-node radio links and using computers in a plurality of nodes to assemble at least one of the routes by adding a radio link to a route segment comprising at least one previously selected radio link.

10. A method as in claim 3, wherein said originating nodes communicate with respective remotes.

11. A method of providing at least two radio communication routes among individual nodes capable of distribution arbitrarily relative to each other, the method comprising:

establishing radio links between respective pairs of said nodes using radio signals transmitted from said nodes and received by other said nodes, wherein at least some of said radio signals include routing messages;

using a directional radio signal transmitted from at least one said node in a directional link and received directly by the other said node in said directional link; and

assembling radio communication routes between at least two originating nodes and at least one destination node, said routes being assembled by computers in a plurality of said nodes using routing messages received by said nodes, wherein said computers in said nodes assemble said routes independently of any computer separate from said nodes in said routes without regard to the relative locations of said nodes in a said route, said originating nodes simultaneously receive communication signals from different originating remotes, and both said routes include at least one said directional link.

12. A method as in claim 11, wherein said routes operate simultaneously without any one node transmitting and receiving communication signals in the same frequency band.

13. A method as claim 12, wherein at least one said originating node simultaneously receives communication signals from two said remotes.

14. A method as in claim 11, further comprising using the routing messages to select node-to-node radio links and using computers in a plurality of nodes to assemble at least one of the routes by adding a radio link to a route segment comprising at least one previously selected radio link.

15. A method as in claim 11, wherein each node in a pair of nodes in a radio link is a different type using respective different frequency bands for transmitting and receiving communication signals.

16. A method as in claim 11, further comprising:

measuring a parameter of radio signals received by at least some of said nodes; and

transmitting from at least some of said nodes radio signals with associated routing messages based on said measured parameter.

17. A method as in claim 11, the method further comprising:

combining said radio links to create a wireless communication route comprising a radio link from a remote to a said originating node and radio links from said originating node through a plurality of pairs of additional nodes to said destination node; and

transmitting communication signals from said originating node to the other node in the radio link between said originating node and the other node in a first frequency band,

transmitting communication signals from the other node to said originating node in a second frequency band, receiving communication signals from said remote at said originating node in a third frequency band, and transmitting communication signals from said originating node to said remote in a fourth frequency band.

18. A method of providing at least two radio communication routes among individual nodes capable of distribution arbitrarily relative to each other, the method comprising:

establishing radio links between respective pairs of said nodes using radio signals transmitted from said nodes and received by other said nodes, wherein at least some of said radio signals include routing messages; and

assembling radio communication routes between at least one destination node and at least two originating nodes that receive communication signals from and transmit communication signals to respective remotes, said routes being assembled by computers in a plurality of said nodes using routing messages received by said nodes, wherein said computers in said nodes assemble said route independently of any computer separate from said nodes in said routes without regard to the relative locations of said nodes in said routes, a said route including at least one route segment comprising at least two said radio links with at least two normal nodes that communicate through a blind node, wherein a normal node is one of said nodes that can exchange said communication signals with other said nodes and receive communication signals from and transmit communication signals to said remote, and a blind node is one of said nodes that can only exchange said communication signals with other said nodes and cannot receive said communication signals from or transmit communication signals to said remote.

19. A method as in claim 18, further comprising using a directional radio signal transmitted from at least one said node in a directional link and received directly by the other said node in said directional link, said directional radio signal being transmitted in a direction selected from one of a plurality of possible directions, wherein both said routes include at least one said directional link with at least one said blind node.

20. A method as claim 19, wherein said directional radio signal is received by said other node in said directional link using an antenna that utilizes a directional pattern to strengthen the received radio signal.

21. A method as in claim 18, wherein no node in a said radio communication route between an originating node and a destination node simultaneously transmits and receives in the same band of frequencies.

22. A method as in claim 18, further comprising:

measuring a parameter of radio signals received by at least some of said nodes; and

transmitting from at least some of said nodes radio signals with associated routing messages based on said measured parameter, wherein at least one route segment is selected based on a value of the parameter in a received routing message and a measured value of the parameter of a received radio signal and wherein said computers use a predetermined criteria for measuring a quality of a selected route and a selected route has a higher quality than at least two other possible routes between an originating node and said destination node.

23. A method as in claim 18, further comprising using a directional radio signal transmitted from at least one said node in a directional link and received directly by the other said node in said directional link, wherein both said routes include at least one said directional link with at least one said normal node.

24. A method as in claim 23, wherein said directional radio signal is transmitted in a direction selected from one of a plurality of possible directions.

25. A method of providing at least two radio communication routes among individual nodes capable of distribution arbitrarily relative to each other, the method comprising:

establishing radio links between respective pairs of said nodes using radio signals transmitted from said nodes and received by other said nodes, at least some of said radio signals including routing messages;

using a directional radio signal transmitted from one said node in a directional link and received directly by the other said node in said directional link;

measuring a parameter of radio signals received by at least some of said nodes;

transmitting from at least some of said nodes radio signals with associated routing messages based on said measured parameter; and

assembling radio communication routes between at least two originating nodes and at least one destination node, said routes being assembled by computers in a plurality of said nodes using routing messages received by said nodes, wherein;

said computers in said nodes assemble said routes independently of any computer separate from said nodes in said routes without regard to the relative locations of said nodes in a said route,

said originating nodes simultaneously receive communication signals from and transmit communication signals to different originating remotes,

both said routes include at least one said directional link, and

when one route includes a node in common with another route, the common node transmits communication signals in one freuqency band in both routes and receives communication signals in a different frequency band in both routes.

26. The method as in claim 25, wherein the parameter is signal strength.

27. A method as claim 25, wherein said directional radio signal is received by said other node in said directional link using an antenna that utilizes a directional pattern to strengthen the received radio signal.

28. A method as in claim 25, wherein at least one routing message identifies a route segment comprising at least two said radio links, said route segment being selected from multiple route segments.

29. A method as in claim 25, wherein said directional radio signal is transmitted in a direction selected from one of a plurality of possible directions.

30. A method as in claim 25, wherein at least one route segment comprising at least two said radio links is selected based on a value of the parameter in a received routing message and a measured value of the parameter of a received radio signal.

31. A method as in claim 25, further comprising using the routing messages to select node-to-node radio links and using computers in a plurality of nodes to assemble at least one of the routes by adding a radio link to a route segment comprising at least one previously selected radio link.

32. A method of providing at least two radio communication routes among individual nodes capable of distribution arbitrarily relative to each other, the method comprising:

establishing radio links between respective pairs of said nodes using radio signals transmitted from said nodes and received by other said nodes, at least some of said radio signals including routing messages;

using a directional radio signal transmitted from at least one said node in a directional link and received directly by the other said node in said directional link; and

assembling radio communication routes between at least two originating nodes and at least one destination node, said routes being assembled by computers in a plurality of said nodes using routing messages received by said nodes, wherein;

said computers in said nodes assemble said routes independently of any computer separate from said nodes in said routes without regard to the relative locations of said nodes in a said route,

both said routes include at least one said directional link, and

when one route includes a node in common with another route, the common node transmits communication signals in one frequency band in both routes and receives communication signals in a different frequency band in both routes.

33. A method as in claim 32, wherein said directional radio signal is transmitted in a direction selected from one of a plurality of possible directions.

34. A method as claim 32, wherein said directional radio signal is received by said other node in said directional link using an antenna that utilizes a directional pattern to strengthen the received radio signal.

35. A method as in claim 32, wherein at least one route segment comprising at least two said radio links is selected based on a value of a parameter of a radio signal in a received routing message and a measured value of the parameter of a received radio signal.

36. A method as in claim 32, further comprising using the routing messages to select node-to-node radio links and using computers in a plurality of nodes to assemble at least one of the routes by adding a radio link to a route segment comprising at least one previously selected radio link.

37. A method as in claim 32, wherein said originating nodes receive communication signals from respective remotes.

38. A method as in claim 37, wherein at least one route segment comprising at least two said radio links is selected based on a value of a parameter of a radio signal in a received routing message and a measured value of the parameter of a received radio signal.

39. A method of providing at least two radio communication routes among individual nodes capable of distribution arbitrarily relative to each other, the method comprising:

establishing radio links between respective pairs of said nodes using radio signals transmitted from said nodes and received by other said nodes, at least some of said radio signals including routing messages;

using a directional radio signal transmitted from one said node in a directional link and received directly by the other said node in said directional link;

measuring a parameter of radio signals received by at least some of said nodes;

transmitting from at least some of said nodes radio signals with associated routing messages based on said measured parameter; and

assembling radio communication routes between at least two originating nodes that receive communication signals from remotes and a destination node, said routes being assembled by computers in a plurality of said nodes using routing messages received by said nodes, wherein;

said computers in said nodes assemble said routes independently of any computer separate from said nodes in said routes without regard to the relative locations of said nodes in a said route,

both said routes include at least one said directional link, and

when one route includes a node in common with another route, the common node transmits communication signals in one frequency band in both routes and receives communication signals in a different frequency band in both routes.

40. A method as in claim 39, wherein said directional radio signal is transmitted in a direction selected from one of a plurality of possible directions.

41. A method as claim 39, wherein said directional radio signal is received by said other node in said directional link using an antenna that utilizes a directional pattern to strengthen the received radio signal.

42. A method as in claim 39, wherein at least one said originating node simultaneously receives communication signals from two remotes.

43. A method as in claim 39, wherein at least one route segment comprising at least two said radio links is selected based on a value of the parameter in a received routing message and a measured value of the parameter of a received radio signal.

44. A method as in claim 43, wherein said directional radio signal is transmitted in a direction selected from one of a plurality of possible directions.

45. A method as in claim 39, wherein said directional radio signal is transmitted by a steerable antenna array.

46. A method of providing at least two radio communication routes among individual nodes capable of distribution arbitrarily relative to each other, the method comprising:

establishing radio links between respective pairs of said nodes using radio signals transmitted from said nodes and received by other said nodes, at least some of said radio signals including routing messages;

using a directional radio signal transmitted from at least one said node in a directional link and received directly by the other said node in said directional link; and

assembling radio communication routes between at least two originating nodes that receive communication signals from remotes and at least one destination node, said routes being assembled by computers in a plurality of said nodes using routing messages received by said nodes, wherein;

said computers in said nodes assemble said routes independently of any computer separate from said nodes in said routes without regard to the relative locations of said nodes in a said route,

both said routes include at least one said directional link, and

when one route includes a node in common with another route, the common node transmits communication signals in one frequency band in both routes and receives communication signals in a different frequency band in both routes.

47. A method as in claim 46, wherein at least one said originating node simultaneously receives communication signals from two remotes.

48. A method as in claim 46, wherein said directional radio signal is transmitted in a direction selected from one of a plurality of possible directions.

49. A method as claim 46, wherein said directional radio signal is received by said other node in said directional link using an antenna that utilizes a directional pattern to strengthen the received radio signal.

50. A method as in claim 46, wherein at least one route segment comprising at least two said radio links is selected based on a value of a parameter of a radio signal in a received routing message and a measured value of the parameter of a received radio signal.

51. A method as in claim 46, further comprising using the routing messages to select node-to-node radio links and using computers in a plurality of nodes to assemble at least one of the routes by adding a radio link to a route segment comprising at least one previously selected radio link.

52. A method as in claim 46, wherein radio signals including routing messages are transmitted in different time slots by different said nodes.

53. A method of providing at least two radio communication routes among individual nodes capable of distribution arbitrarily relate to each other, the method comprising:

establishing radio links between respective pairs of said nodes using radio signals transmitted from said nodes and received by other said nodes, at least some of said radio signals including routing messages;

using a directional radio signal transmitted from at least one said node in a directional link and received directly by the other said node in said directional link; and

assembling radio communication routes between at least two originating nodes and at least one destination node, said routes being assembled by computers in a plurality of said nodes using routing messages received by said nodes, wherein;

said computers in a plurality of said nodes assemble said routes independently of any computer separate from said nodes in said route without regard to the relative locations of said nodes in said route,

said originating nodes simultaneously receive communication signals from and transmit communication signals to different remotes,

transmission of communication signals between pairs of nodes in a said route requires a first node in the pair to transmit communication signals in one band of frequencies and receive them in another band of frequencies and the second node in the pair to receive communication signals in the one band and transmit them in the other band, and

both said routes include at least one said directional link.

54. A method as in claim 53, wherein said directional radio signal is transmitted in a direction selected from one of a plurality of possible directions.

55. A method as in claim 53, wherein said directional radio signal is transmitted by a steerable antenna array.

56. A method as in claim 53, wherein at least one said node in a said route is a blind node that can only exchange said communication signals with other said nodes and cannot receive said communication signals from or transmit communication signals to a remote.

57. A method as in claim 56, wherein said blind node transmits a directional radio signal to another said node.

58. A method as in claim 56, wherein said blind node receives a said radio signal with a directional antenna.

59. A method as in claim 53, wherein said computers use a predetermined criteria for measuring a quality of a selected route and a selected route has a higher quality than at least two other possible routes between an originating node and said destination node.

60. A method as in claim 53, wherein at least one node in a said route receives communication signals from another node in said route in one channel and transmits communication signals to said other node in a different channel.

61. A method as in claim 60, further comprising selecting the channels based on potential interference calculations.

62. A method as in claim 53, wherein said individual nodes measure a parameter of received radio signals and transmit a routing message incorporating the measured value.

63. A method as in claim 62, further comprising using the measured values of the parameters to assemble said routes.

64. A method as in claim 63, further comprising using the measured value of the parameters to select channels for communication signals between said nodes in a said route.

65. A method as in claim 63, further comprising using the routing messages to select node-to-node radio links and using computers in a plurality of nodes to assemble at least one of the routes by adding a radio link to a route segment comprising at least one previously selected radio link.

66. A method as in claim 53, further comprising using the routing messages to select node-to-node radio links and using computers in a plurality of nodes to assemble at least one of the routes by adding a radio link to a route segment comprising at least one previously selected radio link.