Probability forwarding in a flood fill mesh radio network
OwnerGuy McIlroyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is an improved implementation of a flood fill mesh network that utilizes probability forwarding for rebroadcasting network messages. The forwarding probability may be determined based on analyzing a network topology map constructed by each network node relative to its neighbor nodes communicating on the network and derived from state information contained in synchronization frames broadcasted by the network nodes on the network. The forwarding probability may comprise a statistical probability that a message frame received by a network node will be forwarded to the intended destination network node by one or more of the network node's neighbor network nodes.
Claims20
A method of forwarding messages in a mesh network, the method comprising:
- at a network node of a plurality of network nodes in a wireless network, wherein the network node includes a processor and a memory and is configured to communicate with neighbor network nodes in the plurality of network nodes, receiving one or more message frames broadcasted from the neighbor network nodes;
- constructing a map of network topology of the neighbor network nodes based on state information of one or more the plurality of network nodes, the network topology indicating which of the plurality of network nodes are the neighbor network nodes that are within range for wireless communications;
- determining a forwarding probability for a message frame of the one or more message frames based on the map of the network topology and an intended destination of the message frame, wherein the forwarding probability for the message frame to be rebroadcast is determined based on the likelihood the message frame will be rebroadcast by one or more of the neighbor network nodes;
- and
- rebroadcasting the message frame to the neighbor network nodes in accordance with the forwarding probability, wherein the network node and the neighbor network nodes each selectively rebroadcast the message frame based on the forwarding probability.
A system configured as a network node for broadcasting message frames in a wireless network, the system comprising:
- a processor programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed, cause operations comprising:
- receiving one or more message frames broadcasted by neighbor network nodes of the network node, wherein the network node is one of a plurality of network nodes in a wireless network and is configured to communicate with the neighbor network nodes, the neighbor network nodes being part of the plurality of network nodes;
- constructing a map of network topology of the neighbor network nodes based on state information of one or more the plurality of network nodes, the network topology indicating which of the plurality of network nodes are the neighbor network nodes that are within range for wireless communications;
- determining a forwarding probability for a message frame of the one or more message frames based on the map of the network topology and an intended destination of the message frame, wherein the forwarding probability for the message frame to be rebroadcast is determined based on the likelihood the message frame will be rebroadcast by one or more of the neighbor network nodes;
- and
- rebroadcasting the message frame to the neighbor network nodes in accordance with the forwarding probability, wherein the network node and the neighbor network nodes each selectively rebroadcast the message frame based on the forwarding probability.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause operations comprising:
- at a network node of a plurality of network nodes in a wireless network, wherein the network node includes a processor and a memory and is configured to communicate with neighbor network nodes in the plurality of network nodes, receiving one or more message frames broadcasted from the neighbor network nodes;
- constructing a map of network topology of the neighbor network nodes based on state information of one or more the plurality of network nodes, the network topology indicating which of the plurality of network nodes are the neighbor network nodes that are within range for wireless communications;
- determining a forwarding probability for a message frame of the one or more message frames based on the map of the network topology and an intended destination of the message frame, wherein the forwarding probability for the message frame to be rebroadcast is determined based on the likelihood the message frame will be rebroadcast by one or more of the neighbor network nodes;
- and
- rebroadcasting the message frame to the neighbor network nodes in accordance with the forwarding probability, wherein the network node and the neighbor network nodes each selectively rebroadcast the message frame based on the forwarding probability.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.