Robust node estimation and topology discovery for large-scale networks

A system, comprising

• a first network device in a network;
• an application executable in the first network device, wherein when executed, the application causes the first network device to at least:
• generate a first transmission packet that includes a first identifier and a list comprising a plurality of existing identifiers;
• receive a second transmission packet that includes a second identifier from a second network device in the network;
• add the second identifier to the list in response to a first comparison between the second identifier and the plurality of existing identifiers;
• adjust a transmit probability based on the first comparison;
• and
• transmit the first transmission packet to a third network device in the network based at least in part on a second comparison between the transmit probability and a probability distribution.

A method, comprising:

• transmitting, using a computing device, a query message to a plurality of sensor devices, the query message being transmitted over a wireless channel;
• receiving a transmission packet from at least one of the plurality of sensor devices, the transmission packet comprising data indicating a plurality of identifiers;
• and
• determining, using the computing device, a quantity of the plurality of sensor devices based at least in part on the plurality of identifiers,
• wherein the transmitting, receiving, and determining are performed as part of a query phase, the method further comprising
• performing an initialization phase;
• and
• performing a knowledge distribution phase,
• wherein the initialization and knowledge phases are performed prior to the query phase,
• wherein the initialization phase comprises:
• receiving, over the wireless channel, a first transmission packet that includes a first identifier from a first one of a plurality of nodes;
• and
• setting an initial transmit probability.