Method for controlling a wake up rate of nodes operating within a multi-hop communication system

A method of operation of a node within a multi-hop communication system for optimizing a wake up rate of the node, the method comprising:

• storing a location area identification information of an other node;
• sending a registration request message to a closest access point;
• registering with the closest access point;
• storing a wake up phase and a wake up rate received in a registration response from the access point;
• initiating a standby operation mode;
• and
• waking up to operate based on the wake up rate.

A method for controlling a wake up rate of nodes operating within a multi-hop communication system, the method comprising:

• at one or more access points within the multi-hop communication system:
• collecting, processing, and refining statistical information regarding one or more system parameters;
• determining a set of wake up rates based on the statistical information and one or more historical information;
• transmitting the set of wake up rate to one or more nodes in a coverage area;
• and
• transmitting a bit indicating that nodes should perform an estimation of the density of nodes in its local area;
• and
• at one or more nodes within the multi-hop communication system:
• receiving the set of wake up rates;
• receiving the bit indicating that local density estimation should be performed;
• performing the local density estimation through exchange of hello messages.
• stopping the local density estimation after the specified time;
• determining which of the wake up rates to use out of the received set of wake up rates;
• and
• periodically changing from a sleep state to a wake up state at the chosen wake up rate to support routing functions for providing multi-hop communication to the one or more access points.