Multi-hop wireless network data forwarding
OwnerSathya R. Narayanan, Daisaku Komiya +3inventors
InventorsSathya R. Narayanan, Daisaku Komiya, Rajesh B. Khandelwal, Symeon Papavassiliou, Sheng Xu
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Abstract
A data communication system and method for forwarding data messages in a wireless network having an access point is disclosed. To forward data messages in accordance with the present invention, levels with respect to the access point are determined for wireless devices within the wireless network. Data messages are then transferred sequentially by level between the access point and other wireless devices within the wireless network.
Claims20
A data communication method for use in a wireless network having an access point, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining a level for each of a plurality of wireless devices of the wireless network with respect to the access point;
- determining for each of the plurality of wireless devices neighboring ones of the plurality of wireless devices having adjacent levels;
- and
- transferring data messages between one of the plurality of wireless devices and the access point sequentially by level through at least one other one of the plurality of wireless devices.
A method for use in a wireless network including a plurality of wireless devices to determine a level for each wireless device with respect to an access point, the method comprising the steps of:
- at each wireless device in the wireless network,
- sending a broadcast message;
- receiving broadcast messages from neighboring ones of the plurality of wireless devices, the broadcast messages indicating a neighbor level for each of the neighboring wireless devices;
- and
- determining the level for the wireless devices responsive to the neighbor levels.
A wireless device for use in a wireless network including a plurality of wireless devices and an access point, the wireless devices capable of determining a level with respect to the access point, the wireless device comprising:
- a transceiver that sends a broadcast message and receives broadcast messages from neighboring ones of the plurality of wireless devices, the broadcast messages indicating a neighbor level for each of the neighboring wireless devices;
- and
- a controller coupled to the transceiver that generates the broadcast message and determines the level of the wireless device responsive to the neighbor levels.
A data communication system for use in a wireless network having an access point, the system comprising:
- means for determining a level for each of a plurality of wireless devices of the wireless network with respect to the access point;
- means for determining, for each of the plurality of wireless devices, neighboring ones of the plurality of wireless devices having adjacent levels;
- and
- means for transferring data messages between one of the plurality of wireless devices and the access point sequentially by level through at least one other one of the plurality of wireless devices.
A computer readable carrier including software that is configured to control a general purpose computer to implement a method for use by a wireless device within a wireless network having an access point and a plurality of wireless devices to determine a level for the wireless device with respect to the access point, the method comprising the steps of:
- sending a broadcast message;
- receiving broadcast messages from neighboring ones of the plurality of wireless devices, the broadcast messages indicating a neighbor level for each of the neighboring wireless devices;
- and
- determining the level for the wireless device responsive to the neighbor levels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.