Enhancement of node connectivity in a wireless communications network with changing topology via adaptive role changing

A wireless communications network, comprising:

• a first set of one or more nodes, wherein a given node of the set is constructed and arranged to operate according to a selected one or both of:
• (i) an ad hoc protocol wherein the given node assumes a role of a mesh point node capable of connecting with other mesh point nodes of the network in communications range of the node, and
• (ii) a point-to-multipoint protocol wherein the node assumes a role different from that of a mesh point node and selected from among:
• (a) a base station node wherein the given node operates as a central node that covers a certain region of space for serving one or more subscriber station nodes and for passing all communications of the subscriber station nodes through the node, and
• (b) a subscriber station node wherein the given node is served by another node of the network in communications range and which other node is operating as a base station node, and wherein the given node is operative to link only with the other node;
• and
• one or more nodes configured to determine, for the given node, which role or roles the given node should assume among the ad hoc protocol, the point-to-multipoint protocol, and both of said protocols simultaneously, in order to adapt to changes in network topology and to maintain an optimum state of connectivity among the nodes of the network;
• and wherein the given node is configured to assume the determined role or roles.

A method of enabling first nodes of a first network having a node operating as a first base station node under a point-to-multipoint protocol, and second nodes of a second network having a node operating as a second base station node under the point-to-multipoint protocol, to combine to form a third network having a common base station node operating under the point-to-multipoint protocol, comprising:

• configuring each of one or more first nodes of the first network and each of one or more second nodes of the second network to operate according to a selected one or both of:
• (i) an ad hoc protocol wherein each node assumes a role of a mesh point node capable of connecting with other mesh point nodes of the first and the second networks in communications range of the node, and
• (ii) the point-to-multipoint protocol wherein each node assumes a role different from that of a mesh point node and selected from among:
• (a) a base station node wherein the node operates as a central node that covers a certain region of space for serving one or more subscriber station nodes and for passing all communications of the subscriber station nodes through the node, and
• (b) a subscriber station node wherein the node is served by another node of the first or the second network in communications range and which other node is operating as a base station node, and the node is operative to link only with the other node;
• establishing a link between a given first node of the first network and a given second node of the second network when the two given nodes come within range of one another, by operating each of the two given nodes in the role of a mesh point node under the ad hoc protocol;
• and
• forming the combined third network by changing the role of one of the first base station node of the first network and the second base station node of the second network to the role of a subscriber station node under the point-to-multipoint protocol, and operating the other one of the first and the second base station nodes as the common base station node of the third network under the point-to-multipoint protocol.