Application aware dynamic topology update

A network node for implementing a master topology function that dynamically updates a topology for a multi-path connection to a target wireless communication device, the network node comprising processing circuitry configured to cause the network node to:

• determine a topology for a multi-path connection to a target wireless communication device such that the topology for the multi-path connection satisfies one or more application-level requirements for a particular application, wherein:
• the topology comprises two or more active links from a source wireless node to the target wireless communication device and one or more inactive links from the source wireless node to the target wireless communication device;
• and
• at least one link from among the two or more active links and the one or more inactive links is a multi-hop link from the source wireless node to the target wireless communication device via one or more additional wireless communication devices that operate as relays;
• configure, directly or indirectly, the source wireless node, the target wireless communication device, and the one or more additional wireless communication devices in accordance with the determined topology to provide the multi-path connection;
• and
• dynamically update the determined topology based on:
• (a) information about an actual or predicted degradation of at least one of the two or more active links, (b) a change in a Quality of Service, QoS, for the particular application using the multi-path connection, or (c) a change in the one or more application-level requirements for the particular application, wherein the network node is adapted to dynamically update by:
• obtaining information about an actual or predicted degradation of at least one of the two or more active links or about a change in Quality of Service, QoS, of the particular application using the multi-path channel;
• waiting a predefined or preconfigured amount of time to determine whether further information about an actual or predicted degradation of at least one of the two or more active links or about a change in the QoS of the particular application using the multi-path channel is received;
• and
• after waiting the predefined or preconfigured amount of time, updating the determined topology based on the information about the actual or predicted degradation of at least one of the two or more active links or about the change in QoS of the particular application using the multi-path channel and, if received, the further information.