Self-evolving wireless backhaul

A method of operating a wireless device comprising a processor and a memory storing executable instructions and rules defining benefits to be received by the wireless device and costs incurred by the wireless device when the wireless device participates in data transfer in a network, the method comprising:

• storing, if the wireless device forms part of a network comprising other wireless devices and a backbone, information detailing topology of the network;
• based on the rules and the topology information, estimate at least one of the costs or benefits of transmitting data to the backbone via the other wireless devices of the network;
• based on the rules, estimate the at least one of costs or benefits of transmitting data directly to the backbone;
• wherein one or both estimates combine an estimation of technical costs of data transmission, their compensation payments and path length dependent network benefits;
• and
• determine whether the at least one of the costs or benefits of a direct exchange with the backbone outweigh those of data exchange with the backbone via other nodes, and
• further comprising a cache storage, the method further comprising:
• checking whether or not predetermined data is stored in the cache upon receipt of a request from another wireless device for transmission of the predetermined data;
• performing a cost/benefit analysis of transmitting the predetermined data to the other wireless device;
• and
• if the cost/benefit analysis indicates that transmission of the predetermined data is advantageous for the wireless device, reading the predetermined data from the cache and transmitting the read data to the other wireless device.

A method of operating a wireless network comprising a plurality of wireless devices and a backbone, the method comprising:

• one of the wireless devices initiating data upload to the backbone or a data download from the backbone;
• the initiating wireless device estimating, based on rules defining benefits to be received by initiating wireless devices and costs incurred by the initiating wireless devices within the network when the wireless devices participate in data transfer in a network and on information of topology of the network formed by the wireless devices, costs of uploading or downloading the data via other wireless devices in the network;
• the initiating wireless device estimating the costs of uploading or downloading the data directly to/from the backbone;
• wherein one or both estimates combine an estimation of technical costs of data transmission, their compensation payments and path length dependent network benefits;
• determine whether at least one of costs or benefits of a direct data exchange with the backbone outweigh those of data exchange with the backbone via other nodes;
• and
• the initiating wireless device initiating the upload or requesting the download directly from the backbone or via the other wireless devices based on the determination;
• and
• further comprising a cache storage, the method further comprising:
• checking whether or not predetermined data is stored in the cache upon receipt of a request from another wireless device for transmission of the predetermined data;
• performing a cost/benefit analysis of transmitting the predetermined data to the other wireless device;
• and
• if the cost/benefit analysis indicates that transmission of the predetermined data is advantageous for the wireless device, reading the predetermined data from the cache and transmitting the read data to the other wireless device.