US 2003/0227934 A1 · System and method for multicast media access using broadcast transmissions with multiple acknowledgements in an Ad-Hoc communications network

Abstract

An improved system and method of transmitting messages to multiple destination nodes is provided, in which a message from a source node is addressed to a multicast-broadcast address, and multiple destination node addresses are included in the message header. Destination nodes which successfully receive the transmission calculate a timeslot in which to transmit an acknowledgement message based on the position of their address in the message header. The source node can then provide a retransmission to destination nodes which did not successfully receive the transmission as either a multicast-broadcast or a unicast communication depending on acknowledgement messages received.

Claims49

Dependent claims

A method for data transmission using a multicast-broadcast in an ad-hoc communications network, said network including a plurality of nodes being adapted to transmit and receive signals to and from other nodes in said network, the method comprising:

controlling a sending node to interpret a destination address as a broadcast address for a data packet communication, said data packet having a message header including a plurality of intended destination node addresses, and to transmit said data packet as a broadcast communication;
and
controlling at least one of said nodes of said plurality that successfully receives said data packet to communicate an acknowledgement of successful reception (ACK) message to said sending node in an order based on an order in which said plurality of destination node addresses are arranged in said message header, and controlling said sending node to retransmit said data packet to at least one node of said plurality which did not communicate an ACK message to said sending node.

A computer-readable medium of instructions, adapted to control data transmission using a multicast-broadcast in an ad-hoc communications network, said network including a plurality of nodes being adapted to transmit and receive signals to and from other nodes in said network, comprising:

a first set of instructions, adapted to control a first node to interpret a destination address as a broadcast address for a data packet communication, said data packet having a message header including a plurality of intended destination node addresses, and to transmit said data packet as a broadcast communication;
a second set of instructions, adapted to control at least one node of said plurality which, upon successful receipt of said data packet, is adapted to communicate an acknowledgement of successful reception (ACK) message to said first node in an order based on an order in which said plurality of destination node addresses are arranged in said message header;
and
a third set of instructions, adapted to control said first node to retransmit said data packet to at least one node of said plurality which did not communicate an ACK message to said sending node.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for multicast media access using broadcast transmissions with multiple acknowledgements in an Ad-Hoc communications network

Life of this patent

System and method for multicast media access using broadcast transmissions with multiple acknowledgements in an Ad-Hoc communications network

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims49