Wireless communications apparatus, and routing control and packet transmission technique in wireless network

A routing control method for a wireless network including multiple wireless communications apparatuses mutually connected via wireless links, comprising the steps of:

• determining a first total cost value at a wireless communications apparatus along a first path reaching the wireless communications apparatus, based on a node cost representing traffic of the wireless communications apparatus and a first link cost representing a radio condition of the wireless link between the wireless communications apparatus and a previous node along the first route;
• comparing the first total cost with a second total cost determined for a second path reaching the wireless communications apparatus, based on the node cost and a second link cost along the second path;
• selecting one of the first and second total cost values, the one having a lower cost value;
• transmitting cost information representing the selected cost value to adjacent wireless communications;
• and
• determining a transmission route for a packet so as to minimize the total cost value for reaching a destination of the packet.

A wireless communications apparatus used in a wireless communications network consisting of multiple wireless communications apparatuses mutually connected via wireless links, comprising:

• a first buffer configured to temporarily store a first information item received from an adjacent wireless communications apparatus;
• a second buffer configured to temporarily store a second information item received from a user terminal located under the wireless communications apparatus;
• a priority control unit configured to schedule transmission of the first information item and the second information item according to transmission priority;
• and
• a routing control unit configured to determine a transmission route for the first information item and/or the second information item if they are required to be transmitted to a next node, based on cost information including a node cost representing traffic at the wireless communications apparatus and a link cost representing a radio condition of the wireless link to the wireless communications apparatus.

A packet transmission method employed in a wireless network defined by a plurality of wireless communications apparatuses mutually connected via wireless links, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first information item at a wireless communications apparatus from an adjacent wireless communications apparatus and storing the first information item in a first buffer;
• receiving a second information item at the wireless communications apparatus from a user terminal located under the wireless communications apparatus and storing the second information item in a second buffer;
• scheduling transmission of the first information item and the second information item based on prescribed priority of transmission;
• and
• determining a transmission route for the transmission of the first and second information items based on cost information reflecting a node cost representing traffic at the wireless communications apparatus and a link cost representing a radio condition of the wireless link to the wireless communications apparatus.