Route selection in wireless networks

An apparatus, comprising:

• means for receiving a route reply message responsive to a route request message from a first intermediate node in a wireless network, wherein a first intermediate node having a valid route responds to a route request message based on a condition of a flag in said route request message;
• means for establishing communications between a source node and a destination node using said valid route;
• means for receiving in unicast a further route reply message from said destination node, said further route reply message including a best route selected by said destination node based on cumulative metrics received in route request messages received by said destination node;
• means for establishing communications between said source node and said destination node by replacing said valid route with said best route.

A method for discovering a route between a source node and a destination node in a wireless network, said method comprising:

• receiving a route request message from said source node;
• responding to said route request message with a route reply message by a first intermediate node having a valid route to said destination node, wherein said first intermediate node responds to a route request message based on a condition of a flag in said route request message, and further wherein said first intermediate node resets said flag;
• receiving, by said first intermediate node, a further route reply message from said destination node, said further route reply message including a best route between said source node and said destination node based on cumulative metrics in route request messages received by said destination node;
• and
• forwarding, by said first intermediate node, said further route reply message to said source node, wherein if said valid route between said source node and said destination node is not said best route between said source node and said destination node then said further route reply message serves to establish communications using said best route between said source node and said destination node upon receipt of said further route reply message by said source node.

An apparatus for discovering a route between a source node and a destination node in a wireless network, comprising:

• means for receiving a route request message from said source node;
• means for responding to said route request message with a route reply message by a first intermediate node having a valid route to said destination node, wherein said first intermediate node responds to a route request message based on a condition of a flag in said route request message, and further wherein said first intermediate node resets said flag;
• means for receiving, by said first intermediate node, a further route reply message from said destination node, said further route reply message including a best route between said source node and said destination node based on cumulative metrics in route request messages received by said destination node;
• and
• means for forwarding said further rote reply message to said source node, wherein if said valid route between said source node and said destination node is not said best route between said source node and said destination node then said further route reply message serves to establish communications using said best route between said source node and said destination node upon receipt of said further route reply message by said source node.