# US 2013/0155880 A1 · System and method for improving network convergence via adaptive routing techniques > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0155880 A1 - Document ID: US20130155880A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/329,101 - Filed: 2011-12-16 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Assignees: Silver Spring Networks, Inc. - Inventors: Sterling HUGHES; Peter Hunt; Jana Van Greunen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130155880A1 ## CPC - H04L 43/08: Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters - H04L 45/025: {Updating only a limited number of routers, e.g. fish-eye update} - H04L 45/70: {Routing based on monitoring results} - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for a node within a network to adjust one or more routing parameters based on certain network parameters. A node monitors certain network metrics such as the mean time between routing drops. In response to changes in these network parameters, the node changes certain routing parameters, such as the holddown time. The node may store network metrics and associated routing parameters that result in preferred network operating conditions. The node may pre-load these beneficial settings upon the occurrence of a particular condition such as a system reset of the node. Moreover, a node may share these beneficial settings with neighboring nodes on the same network. One advantage of this approach is that cost savings are achieved when a node within a network may be installed without preconfiguring the node with specific routing parameters. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer-implemented method for adjusting routing parameters within a first node in a network system, the method comprising: measuring a first value for at least one network metric; adjusting at least one routing parameter that is related to the at least one network metric to an adjusted setting; measuring a second value for the at least one network metric; determining that the at least one network metric has improved based on the second value for the at least one network metric relative to the first value for the at least one network metric; and in response to determining that the at least one network metric has improved, setting the at least one routing parameter to the adjusted setting. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: comparing the second value for the at least one network metric with a third value for the at least one network metric, wherein the third value for the at least one network metric has been previously stored within a memory; determining that the second value for the at least one network metric is improved relative to the previously stored third value for the at least one network metric; and storing the second value for the at least one network metric and the associated at least one routing parameter in the memory. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising transmitting the second value for the at least one network metric and the associated at least one routing parameter to a second node. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one network metric comprises an average time that a routing path is unavailable when the routing path is lost. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one network metric comprises a number of times that a routing path is lost during a specified period. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one routing parameter comprises a holddown timer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the network system comprises an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the network system comprises a distribution automation (DA) network. ### Claim 9 A computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a processing unit, cause the processing unit to adjust routing parameters within a first node in a network system, by performing the steps of: measuring a first value for at least one network metric; adjusting at least one routing parameter that is related to the at least one network metric to an adjusted setting; measuring a second value for the at least one network metric; determining that the at least one network metric has improved based on the second value for the at least one network metric relative to the first value for the at least one network metric; and in response to determining that the at least one network metric has improved, setting the at least one routing parameter to the adjusted setting. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The computer-readable medium of claim 9, further comprising: comparing the second value for the at least one network metric with a third value for the at least one network metric, wherein the third value for the at least one network metric has been stored within a memory; determining that the second value for the at least one network metric is improved relative to the previously stored third value for the at least one network metric; and storing the second value for the at least one network metric and the associated at least one routing parameter in the memory. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising transmitting the second value for the at least one network metric and the associated at least one routing parameter to a second node. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the at least one network metric comprises an average time that a routing path is unavailable when the routing path is lost. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the at least one network metric comprises a number of times that a routing path is lost during a specified period. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the at least one routing parameter comprises a holddown timer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the network system comprises an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the network system comprises a distribution automation (DA) network. ### Claim 17 A computing device comprising: a processing unit configured to adjust routing parameters within a first node in a network system, by performing the steps of: measuring a first value for at least one network metric; adjusting at least one routing parameter that is related to the at least one network metric to an adjusted setting; measuring a second value for the at least one network metric; determining that the at least one network metric has improved based on the second value for the at least one network metric relative to the first value for the at least one network metric; and in response to determining that the at least one network metric has improved, setting the at least one routing parameter to the adjusted setting. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The computing device of claim 17, wherein the processing unit is further configured to perform the steps of: comparing the second value for the at least one network metric with a third value for the at least one network metric, wherein the third value for the at least one network metric has been stored within a memory; determining that the second value for the at least one network metric is improved relative to the previously stored third value for the at least one network metric; and storing the second value for the at least one network metric and the associated at least one routing parameter in the memory. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The computing device of claim 18, wherein the processing unit is further configured to perform the step of transmitting the second value for the at least one network metric and the associated at least one routing parameter to a second node. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The computing device of claim 17, wherein the network system comprises a distribution automation (DA) network.