Method and system for providing credit for participation in an ad hoc network

#The present invention relates generally to data routing in ad hoc wireless communications networks, and in particular to providing incentives to network nodes to participate as intermediate nodes.

#Many wireless communications systems require a rapid deployment of independent mobile users as well as reliable communications between user nodes. Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) are based on self-configuring autonomous collections of mobile users who communicate with each other over wireless links having limited bandwidths. MANETs are usually temporary packet radio networks which do not involve significant, if any, supporting infrastructure. Rather than employing fixed base stations, each user node in a MANET can operate as a router for other user nodes, thus enabling expanded network coverage that can be set up quickly, at low cost, and which is highly fault tolerant.

#MANETs provide critical communication services in various environments involving, for example, emergency services supporting police and fire personnel, military applications, industrial facilities and construction sites. Routing communications between two nodes in a static network generally involves simply determining the shortest route between the two nodes. However, in a MANET, the determination of an optimal communication route may involve additional factors. For example, propagation path losses, interference between users, and channel fading may require the use of an indirect route between two nodes in order to provide an acceptable Quality of Service (QoS) to the network users.

#The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages, all in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication network comprising a plurality of communication nodes, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating features of specific data packets that are used to relay a data payload between nodes in an ad hoc wireless communication network, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

#Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

#Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to providing credit for participation in an ad hoc network. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

#In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.