KR101301883B1 - Multi-node communication system and method of requesting, reporting and collecting destination-node-based measurements and route-based measurements - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a multi-node communication system and method used to request, report, and collect destination-node-based measurements and route-based measurements. The communication system may be a mesh network including a plurality of mesh points (MPs). In one embodiment, the destination-node-based measurement request is a destination-unicast, destination-multi, using routes specified by next-hop unicast, next-hop-multicast, or next-hop broadcast addressing. By cast, or destination-broadcast, to one or more destination nodes. In another embodiment, the source node sends a measurement request message to the final destination node, and each node on the path individually sends a measurement report message to the source node. Alternatively, the measurement results of each node are combined and appended to the measurement report message, and a measurement report message containing the combined measurement results is sent to the source node.

Destination-node-based measurement, path-based measurement, mesh network, mesh point (MP), measurement request message, measurement report message, source node, destination node, intermediate node

Description

MULTI-NODE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REQUESTING, REPORTING AND COLLECTING DESTINATION-NODE-BASED MEASUREMENTS AND ROUTE -BASED MEASUREMENTS}

1 is a signal flow diagram illustrating destination-node-based measurements, including destination-unicast / next-hop-unicast.

2 is a signal flow diagram illustrating destination-node-based measurements including destination-unicast / next-hop-multicast / broadcast.

3 is a signal flow diagram illustrating multi-hop measurements along a single mesh path.

4 is a signal flow diagram illustrating multi-hop measurements along multiple paths.

5 is a signal flow diagram illustrating destination MP report measurements to be sent to a source MP, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a signal flow diagram illustrating measurement reports aggregated by each MP in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a signal flow diagram illustrating measurement reports aggregated by the final destination MP, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8 illustrates an example block diagram of an MP configured to implement various embodiments of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: communication system

110, 120, 130: Measurement request

115, 125, 145: Unicast frame to next hop

140, 150, 160: Measurement report

SA: From Source Address

TA: transmitter address

RA: receiver address

DA: final destination address

(Field of invention)

The present invention relates to a communication system having a plurality of nodes. More specifically, the present invention relates to requesting, reporting and collecting measurements in a mesh network having a plurality of mesh points (MPs).

(background)

Typical wireless system infrastructures have a set of access points (APs), also called base stations (BSs), each of which is connected to a wired network via a backhaul link. It consists of doing In some scenarios, it may be more cost-effective to connect an AP directly to a wired network, instead of indirectly connecting the AP to the wired network by relaying information with neighboring APs of a given AP.

This is called the mesh architecture. In other scenarios, the ease of use and speed of deployment are the advantages of using a mesh infrastructure, where a wireless network can be deployed without having to prepare backhaul links and interconnect modules for each AP. Because there is.

In the context of mesh systems, it may sometimes be insufficient to request measurements from nodes to which the node can communicate directly. This means that the measurement request frames and the measurement report frames must specify not only the node from which the frame is transmitted but also the node from which the measurement request / report is received. In addition, in a mesh system, the measurement is reported only to the destination node because the performance and quality perceived by users are more dependent on the conditions of intermediate hops involved in delivering packets than the conditions of the destination node itself. It is not limited to doing so, but it is useful to collect measurements from nodes (ie paths) involved in connecting the source and the destination.

The present invention relates to a method for use in requesting, reporting and collecting destination-node-based measurements by MPs. The invention also includes a method for use in requesting, reporting and collecting path-based measurements by MPs.

The present invention relates to a method for MPs to request, report and collect destination-node-based measurements. In one embodiment, the destination-node-based measurement report is destination-unicast, destination- using routes specified by next-hop unicast, next-hop-multicast, or next-hop-broadcast addressing. It is sent to one or more destination nodes by multicast, or destination-broadcast.

According to the present invention, multiple MPs in an MP network request, report, and collect multi-hop measurements along a single and multiple mesh paths. In this case, the MP requests measurements from all nodes to reach a particular destination point. The next hop and destination address may be specified as unicast, multicast, or broadcast.

The present invention includes several transport mechanisms and options for reporting measurements. Concepts that may apply to measurement report options include causing a measurement request message to request more than one measurement report in a single message.

Concepts that can be applied to measurement reporting options include having a measurement report message request measurements at one time, requesting a periodic measurement report, or requesting a threshold based measurement report.

Concepts that can be applied to measurement report options include allowing MPs to send back a measurement report message or to piggyback reports into other data, control or management frames. Each node will combine it into a measurement report message before delivering its measurements to the next MP, up to the final destination node. When the final receiving node receives the measurement report message, the final receiving node will send its measurements + measurements of all other nodes in the measurement report message.

(Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments)

From the following description presented as an example and to be understood with the accompanying drawings, a more detailed understanding of the invention may be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent similar elements throughout.

Referring to the following, the term "wireless transmit / receive unit" includes a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, or any other type of device capable of operating in a wireless environment. However, it is not limited thereto.

Specifications of the present invention may be integrated into an integrated circuit (IC) or may be configured in a circuit having multiple interconnect components.

The following list contains definitions of terms used in the description of the present invention. Actual full meanings are not limited to this definition.

Destination address: This is the address of the node where the packet is ultimately received. In the context of measurement support and mechanisms, this means the address of the node where the measurement request or report is received.

Next-hop address: This is the address of the node where the packet is sent during the next available wireless transmission. In the context of measurement reports and mechanisms, this means the address of the next node that will receive the measurement request and forward it to the next node involved in the transmission between the two end-nodes (ie, source and destination).

Destination-Unicast: means a measurement request or report to be delivered to a single MP (including a mesh station (STA) and a mesh AP).

Destination-multicast: means a measurement request or report to be delivered to multiple MPs (including mesh STA and mesh AP).

Destination-Broadcast: means a measurement request or report to be delivered to all MPs in the mesh system (including mesh STA and mesh AP).

Next-Hop-Unicast: As part of the process for delivering a packet to a destination node, it refers to a frame sent to one (and most preferred) intermediate node. Using next-hop-unicast implies that a single path is used to send a measurement request or report over the mesh network.

Next-hop-multicast: As part of the process for delivering a packet to a destination node, it refers to a frame transmitted to multiple intermediate nodes. Using next-hop-multicast implies that multiple paths are used to send a measurement request or report over the mesh network.

Next-hop-broadcast: As part of the process for delivering a packet to a destination node, it refers to a frame sent to all intermediate nodes in range. Using next-hop-broadcast implies that all feasible paths can be examined to send a measurement request or report over the mesh network.

Mesh measurement request: Fields included in the mesh measurement request include, but are not limited to the following.

1) source address;

2) a destination address (which may be unicast, multicast, or broadcast);

3) next-hop address (which may be unicast, multicast, or broadcast);

4) the maximum number of next-hop addresses (applicable only for the next multicast) to indicate the maximum number of different nodes for which the intermediate MP can carry mesh measurement reports;

5) requested measurements (eg, node address, channel load, etc.)

6) reporting criteria (eg, immediate, periodic, threshold based, etc.);

7) type of measurement (eg, node-based, link-based, path-based, etc.);

8) a flag indicating whether the measurement request is destination-node-based or path-based;

9) measurement report type; And

10) whether the destination node is requested to send one measurement report for every transaction (where the transaction is considered to be a measurement request) or if the destination node reports one measurement report for every version of the measurement request it receives. Flag indicating whether to send a message. While the latter option generates more traffic to the system, it may be desirable if the measurement request / report is used to collect performance associated with multiple paths.

The present invention provides a method for use in requesting, reporting and collecting destination-node-based measurements and route-based measurements by MPs.

In one embodiment, the destination-node-based measurement request may use destination-unicast, possibly using paths specified by next-hop-unicast, next-hop-multicast, or next-hop-broadcast addressing. , Destination-multicast, or destination-broadcast to one or more destination nodes.

Upon receipt of the measurement request by the intermediate node, the intermediate node will forward the measurement request to the next hop. For next-hop-multicast / broadcast, the intermediate node will reduce the "Maximum number of next-hop addresses" value to the new value. The initial value is set by the source MP (eg configuration value). If the reduced value is greater than zero, the intermediate node forwards the measurement request containing the new value by next-hop-multicast / broadcast. Otherwise, the intermediate node forwards the measurement request using next-hop-unicast.

Upon receipt of the measurement request by the destination node, the destination node processes the measurement request and sends back the specified measurement report to the source node, using the source address specified in the measurement request. Depending on the type of measurement request, the destination node may send one report on one link or multiple links on which the measurement request was received.

Upon receipt of the measurement report by any intermediate node, the intermediate node will forward the measurement report to the next hop. The intermediate node may examine the content of the measurement report passing through it.

1 and 2 are signal flow diagrams of inter-MP signaling according to the present invention, wherein "SA" represents an originating source address, "TA" represents a transmitter address, and "RA" represents a receiver address. And "DA" represents the final destination address. 1 shows a mechanism for destination-node-based measurements using destination-unicast / next-hop-unicast addressing. 2 shows the mechanism of destination-node-based measurements for destination-unicast / next-hop-multicast / broadcast.

Next-hop-unicast addressing

1 illustrates an example communications system 100 including a plurality of nodes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 100 may be a mesh network including a plurality of MPs, including MP1, MP2, MP3, and MP4. MP1 serves as the source node, MP2 and MP3 serve as intermediate nodes, and MP4 serves as the final destination node.

As shown in FIG. 1, the source node MP1 transmits a “destination-node-based” measurement request message to the MP4 using destination-unicast / next-hop-unicast addressing (step 105), and MP1. Transmits the measurement request message to the destination address MP4 via MP2, the next-hop address of the measurement request message (step 110). When the MP2 receives the destination-node-based measurement request message, the MP2 determines the next-hop to the MP4 (step 115), and the MP2 forwards the destination-node-based measurement request message to the next-hop (ie, MP3). Deliver (step 120). When the MP3 receives the destination-node-based measurement request message, the MP3 determines the next-hop to the MP4 (step 125), and the MP3 forwards the destination-node-based measurement request message to the next-hop (ie, MP4). Pass (step 130). When the final destination node MP4 receives the destination-node-based measurement request message, if the measurement results are not available, the MP4 performs the measurements (step 135) and then sends the measurement report message the next-hop of the measurement report. The transmission is reversed through the address MP3 to the destination address MP1 of the measurement report (step 140). When the MP3 receives the measurement report message, the MP3 determines the next-hop towards MP1 (step 145), and the MP3 forwards the measurement report message to the next-hop (ie, MP2) (step 150). When the MP2 receives the measurement report message, the MP2 determines the next-hop towards MP1 (step 155) and forwards the measurement report message to the original source of the measurement request (ie MP1) (step 160). All of these messages are sent using unicast messages.

Next-Hop-Multicast / Broadcast Addressing

In another embodiment, the "maximum number of next-hop addresses" may be used to reduce the proliferation of next-hop-multicast / broadcast frames. Logic in the MPs can also be used to reduce congestion by suppressing delivery of subsequent multicast / broadcast requests, based on knowing the originating source address and the transaction identifier of the original measurement request.

When receiving measurement requests from multiple next-hop transmissions, the destination node may send the report back to the source via one link or all links on which the measurement request was received, depending on how the measurement report was specified. It may be.

Mechanisms for reducing signaling overhead and spread of multicast messages related to measurement requests / reports may be proposed. As shown in FIG. 2, the dashed signaling is to indicate that these messages may be removed if the MP receives the message but does not forward it back to the sender of the message. For example, MP1 is considered the next-hop neighbor of MP2, but since MP2 has just received a message from MP1, MP2 will not forward it back to MP1. Also, if an MP receives a message twice from two different MPs, the MP will forward only one message to its next-hop neighbors.

2 illustrates an example communications system 200 including a plurality of nodes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 200 may be a mesh network including a plurality of MPs, including MP1, MP2, and MP3. MP1 serves as the source node, MP2 serves as the intermediate node, and MP3 serves as the final destination node.

As shown in FIG. 2, the MP1 sends a “destination-node-based” measurement request to the MP3 using destination-unicast / next-hop-multicast addressing (step 205). MP1 multicasts the measurement request message, in which case the measurement request message is received directly by both MP3 (step 210A) and MP2 (step 210B). When the MP3 receives the measurement request message, the MP3 recognizes itself as the final destination, if the measurement results are not available, performs the requested measurement (s) (step 215), and then returns the measurement report message to the MP1. Transmit (step 220). When the MP2 receives the measurement request message, the MP2 determines that the MP2 is not the final destination and decreases the "maximum number of next-hops" to determine if the MP2 should continue to propagate the message by next-hop multicasting. (Step 225). If the maximum number of next-hops is greater than zero, MP2 sends a measurement request message by next-hop-multicasting, in which case the measurement request message is MP3 (step 230A) and, optionally, MP1 (step 230B). Is received by. Optionally, the delivery scheme of MP2 ensures that since MP2 has received the measurement request message from MP1, it does not transmit it to MP1. In either case, when the MP1 receives the measurement request message, the MP1 recognizes from the source address and transaction identifier that the measurement request message is a copy of the ongoing transaction and suppresses any further multicasting of the message (step 235). When the MP3 receives a measurement request version delivered via MP2, the MP3 optionally transmits a corresponding measurement report message via MP2, if so requested (step 240). When MP2 receives the measurement report message (step 245A), MP2 passes it back to MP1 (step 245B).

As shown in FIG. 2, when next-hop-multicast or broadcast is used, the same destination node (eg, MP3) may receive different versions of the same measurement request. Similarly, if next-hop-multicast or broadcast is used, the source (eg MP1) may receive multiple measurement reports associated with the same measurement request (eg the same transaction ID). It should be noted that this behavior may be desirable in the context where the source node wishes to investigate the system to gain insights into the performance associated with the different paths. In that context, each version of the measurement request and the measurement reports will have a different identifier. In a preferred implementation, this unique identifier will be a path identifier that will consist of a combination of node identifiers used to forward the packet from source to destination and, optionally, back to the source. In a preferred implementation, each node involved in delivering the packet will attach its node identifier to the path ID so that the path identifier builds itself.

The present invention encompasses a method in which MPs request, report, and collect multi-hop measurements along single and multiple MP paths. In this case, the MP requires measurements from all nodes to reach a particular destination point. In this method, the next-hop and destination address can be specified as unicast, multicast or broadcast.

In mesh networks, an MP may require path-based measurements from multiple MPs of multi-hops present in a single mesh path. All MPs in the path from the source MP to the destination MP will be required to send measurements back to the source node. Optionally, intermediate nodes can also investigate and use measurements for other MPs on this path.

3 illustrates an example communications system 300 including a plurality of nodes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 300 may be a mesh network including a plurality of MPs including MP1, MP2, MP3, ..., MPn. MP1 serves as the source node, MP2 and MP3 serve as intermediate nodes, and MPn serves as the final destination node. As shown in Fig. 3, the source node MP1 sends a multi-hop measurement request message to the final destination MP MPn via a path (i.e., a mesh path) that includes one or more intermediate nodes MP2, MP3. Will be sent to. Based on the multi-hop measurement request message, all nodes in the path will back report the requested measurements to the source MP (MP1) via measurement report messages. Upon receipt of the measurement report messages, the source MP MP1 will collect measurement information. MP1, MP2, MP3, ..., MPn belong to the same path. The source MP may request measurements from one or multiple MPs in the path. Optionally, intermediate nodes may also look at and use measurements of other MPs on this path.

4 shows a number of mesh paths through which source node MP1 transmits a path-based multi-hop measurement request message to one particular destination node MP5 via a plurality of nodes MP2, MP3, MP4, MP5. Illustrated. In this scenario, MP1 transmits measurement request messages 1a and 3a to be sent to MP5 via a plurality of paths. When MP4 receives measurement request message 1a, MP4 checks the next-hop and destination address and forwards measurement request messages 1b and 2b to MP3 and MP5, respectively. When MP2 receives measurement request message 3a, MP2 checks the next-hop and destination address and forwards measurement request message 3b to MP5. When the MP3 receives the measurement request message 1b, the MP3 checks the next-hop and destination address and forwards the measurement request message 1c to the MP5.

If a flow ID is defined, each MP has the option to deliver the message only through a specific flow ID. When the destination node MP5 receives the measurement request messages 1c, 2b and 3b, the MP5 includes paths 1, 2 and its own measurement and the measurements of the nodes MP2, MP3 and MP4. Reply with a measurement report message, sent via 3). If the purpose of the original path-based multi-hop measurement request was simply to find a route (this can be indicated through the use of a flag in the message request), each node, instead of adding the requested measurement, After adding your own address, you can forward the measurement report packet. Such messages may also be used as a probe to measure end-to-end delay on a particular path (by time stamping packets). The same concept can be applied to the case of a centralized architecture where the central point requires reporting specific measurements from all points on all paths between the source and destination nodes. The measurement request message may specify that each of the MPs on a particular path including MPn should report back their measurement results to the source MP.

The present invention includes several transport mechanisms and options for reporting measurements. Concepts that may apply to measurement reporting options include causing a measurement request message to request more than one measurement in a single message. In this option, each destination MP sends its measurement reports to the source MP. This will allow a faster response to the measurement request message. However, this will result in increased signaling overhead.

5 illustrates an example communications system 500 including a plurality of nodes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 500 may be a mesh network including a plurality of MPs, including MP1, MP2, MP3, and MP4. MP1 serves as the source node, MP2 and MP3 serve as intermediate nodes, and MP4 serves as the final destination node. As shown in Fig. 5, the source node MP1 transmits a measurement request message to the MP2 (step 505). When the MP2 receives the measurement request message, the MP2 forwards the measurement request message to the next-hop (ie, MP3) (step 510), performs measurements if the measurement results are not available (step 515), and then the measurement report message. Transmit back to MP1 (step 520). When the MP3 receives the measurement request message, the MP3 forwards the measurement request message to the next-hop (ie, MP4) (step 525), performs measurements if the measurement results are not available (step 530), and then the destination of the MP1. Send a measurement report message with the address. Such a measurement report is received by MP2 (step 535) and then forwarded to its final destination MP1 (step 540). When the final destination node MP4 receives the measurement request message, if the measurement results are not available, the MP4 performs the measurements (step 545) and then sends a measurement report message with the destination address of MP1. Such a measurement report is first received by the MP3 (step 550), then passed to MP2 (step 555) and forwarded to its final destination MP1 (step 560). As such, each MP, including the final destination node MP4, transmits its measurement report message to the source MP MP1 without waiting for a response from the next-hop MPs.

Concepts that can be applied to measurement reporting options include causing a measurement request message to request measurements at once, requesting periodic measurement reports, or requesting a threshold based measurement report. In this option, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the measurement request message and the measurement report message. However, the measurement request message for configuring the measurements may be sent at one time, but each of the MPs will know when to report back their measurements according to the measurement reporting criteria of the measurement request message. Thus, when the measurements are performed in steps 515, 530 and 545, the measurement results are integrated into the measurement report message (ie the results are already available), or the measurements are performed and then the measurement results are sent to the measurement report message. Are integrated. Each destination MP in the measurement request path collects and combines the measurement reports to form one aggregated report. This approach minimizes signaling overhead compared to the first option. However, this approach is disadvantageous because it increases the delay at each node and the measurement report message must go back to the source node MP1 via the same path.

6 illustrates an example communications system 600 including a plurality of nodes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 600 may be a mesh network including a plurality of MPs, including MP1, MP2, MP3, and MP4. MP1 serves as the source node, MP2 and MP3 serve as intermediate nodes, and MP4 serves as the final destination node. As shown in Fig. 6, MP1 transmits a measurement request message to MP2 (step 605). When MP2 receives the measurement request message, MP2 forwards the measurement request message to MP3 (step 610) and performs measurements (step 615). When the MP3 receives the measurement request message, the MP3 forwards the measurement request message to the MP4 (step 620) and performs the measurements (step 625). If a measurement request message is received at the destination MP MP4, the destination MP will perform the measurements (step 630) and back transmit a measurement report message containing its measurements (step 635). On the way back to the source node MP1, the intermediate MPs MP2 and MP3 will piggyback (ie, combine) their measurements into the measurement report message and send it back to the source MP MP1 (steps 640, 645). , 650, 655).

Concepts that can be applied to measurement report options include allowing MPs to send back a measurement report message or piggy back to other data, control or management frames. Up to the final destination node, each destination will combine its measurements with the measurement request message before delivering the measurement report message to the next MP.

When the final destination node receives the measurement request message, the final destination node will send its measurements + other other node measurements in the measurement report message. This approach reduces the signaling overhead compared to option 1 and, unlike option 2, allows the measurement report message to be sent through a different path than the measurement request message. However, there will still be some processing overhead at the intermediate node.

7 illustrates an example communications system 700 including a plurality of nodes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 700 may be a mesh network including a plurality of MPs, including MP1, MP2, MP3, and MP4. MP1 serves as the source node, MP2 and MP3 serve as intermediate nodes, and MP4 serves as the final destination node. As shown in Fig. 7, MP1 transmits a measurement request message to MP2 (step 705). When the MP2 receives the measurement request message, the MP2 performs the measurements (step 710) and attaches the measurement results to the measurement request message delivered to the MP3 (step 720). Each intermediate node MP2, MP3 on the path piggybacks its measurements into the measurement request message until it reaches the final destination MP4 (steps 710, 720 725, 730, 735). The final destination node MP4 performs the measurements (step 740) and combines their measurements with all of the received measurements into a measurement report message, via the intermediate nodes MP2 and MP3. It is sent back to the source node MP1 (steps 745, 750, 755, and 760).

8 illustrates an example block diagram of an MP 800 configured to implement various embodiments of the present invention. The MP 800 may be configured as a wireless MP or a wired MP, as shown in FIG. 8. The MP 800 includes a processor 805, a receiver 810, a transmitter 815, a measurement unit 820, a memory 825 for storing measurement results, and an antenna 830. The processor 805, receiver 810, transmitter 815, measurement unit 820, and memory 825 may be integrated into the IC.

In one embodiment, when the MP 800 is used in the system 500 of FIG. 5, the MP 800 is not the source MP from which the measurement request originated, such as the MP1 in the system 500 of FIG. 5. The receiver 810 receives a measurement request. In response to receiving the measurement request, the transmitter 815 forwards the measurement request to the next-hop MP (if the MP is not the final receiving MP, such as MP4 in the system 500 of FIG. 5), and the measurement result. If they are not already available in memory 825, measurement unit 820 performs the measurements. Examples of such measurements include, but are not limited to, channel load, noise histogram, signal to noise ratio (SNR), receiver power indicators, and the like. Measurement unit 820 or memory 825 provides measurement results to processor 805, which transmits to source MP at which measurement request originated via transmitter 815 and antenna 830. Generate a measurement report.

In another embodiment where the MP 800 is used in the system 600 of FIG. 6, if the MP 800 is not the source MP due to a measurement request, such as MP1 in the system 600 of FIG. 6. Receiver 810 receives the measurement request. In response to receiving the measurement request, the transmitter 815 forwards the measurement request to the next-hop MP (if the MP is not the final destination MP, such as MP4 in the system 600 of FIG. 6), and the measurement. If the results are not already available in the memory 825, the measuring unit 820 performs the measurements and stores the measurement results in the memory 825. However, in this embodiment, the MP 800 does not generate a measurement report unless it is the final destination MP (such as MP4 in the system 600 of FIG. 6). Instead, the MP 800 waits to receive the measurement report from the next-hop MP, and when the receiver 810 receives the measurement report, the processor 805 measures the measurement of the MP 800 stored in the memory 825. Combine the results with the measurement results included in the measurement report. Processor 805 then generates a combined measurement report that includes the combined measurement results and, via transmitter 815 and antenna 830, sends the combined measurement report, which may or may not be source MP. Transmit with pre-hop MP. If the pre-hop MP is not the source MP, the pre-hop also combines its measurement results with the combined measurement results until the source MP receives the multi-combined measurement report, generating a combined new measurement report. Equation

In another embodiment where the MP 800 is used in the system 700 of FIG. 7, the source MP from which the measurement request originated, such as the MP1 in the system 700 of FIG. Receiver 810 receives the measurement request. However, in this embodiment, the MP 800 does not immediately forward the measurement request to the next-hop MP in response to receiving the measurement request. Instead, if the measurement results are not already available in the memory 825, the measurement unit 820 performs the measurements, and the processor 805 combines any measurement results included in the measurement request with the measurement results. To generate a new measurement request containing the combined measurement results. The MP 800 forwards the measurement request to the next-hop MP that includes the combined measurement results (if the MP is not the final destination MP, such as MP4 in the system 700 of FIG. 7). After the final destination MP receives a measurement request from the intermediate MPs that includes the combined measurement results, the final destination MP performs the measurements and is passed back to the source MP via the intermediate MPs without further processing. This generates a combined measurement report.

While the features and elements of the invention have been described in the preferred embodiments of certain combinations, each feature or element may be used alone or without or without other features and elements of the invention. May be used in various other combinations.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a multi-node communication system and method may be obtained that is used to request, report, and collect destination-node-based measurements and path-based measurements.

Claims (28)

In a method for transmitting a message in a wireless mesh network, From a first wireless mesh point (WMP), a receiver address field comprising a source address of the first WMP, a destination address of a second WMP, a first receiver address, and a first transmitter address of the first WMP Receiving a message comprising a transmitter address field comprising and a value equal to a maximum number of next-hop addresses; Reducing the value equal to the maximum number of next-hop addresses, updating the receiver address field in the message with a second receiver address, and updating the transmitter address field in the message with the first receiver address, Updating the message; And Sending the updated message to the second WMP And transmitting the message in the wireless mesh network. The method of claim 1, And wherein said message further comprises a destination count field comprising a number of destinations included in said message. The method of claim 1, Wherein the updated message is sent to at least one other intermediate node. The method of claim 1, Wherein the destination address is a media access control (MAC) address. In a method of forwarding messages in a wireless mesh network, From a first wireless mesh point (WMP), a receiver address field comprising a source address of the first WMP, a destination address of a second WMP, a first receiver address, and a first transmitter address of the first WMP Receiving at the intermediate node a message comprising a transmitter address field comprising and a value equal to the maximum number of next-hop addresses; Reduce the value equal to the maximum number of next-hop addresses, determine a second receiver address, update the receiver address field in the message with the second receiver address, and update the transmitter address field in the message; Updating the message by updating to a first receiver address; And Delivering the updated message to the second WMP. And transmitting the message in the wireless mesh network. 6. The method of claim 5, Sending the updated message to at least one other intermediate node. In the wireless mesh point (WMP), From a first wireless mesh point (WMP), a transmitter address field comprising a source address of the first WMP, a destination address of a second WMP, a first receiver address, and a first transmitter address of the first WMP A receiver configured to receive a message comprising a field and a value equal to a maximum number of next-hop addresses; Reducing the value equal to the maximum number of next-hop addresses, updating the receiver address field in the message with a second receiver address, and updating the transmitter address field in the message with the first receiver address, A processor configured to update the message; And A transmitter configured to send the updated message to the second WMP Wireless mesh point (WMP) comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein And wherein said message further comprises a destination count field containing a number of destinations contained within said message. The method of claim 7, wherein The transmitter is further configured to send the updated message to an intermediate node. The method of claim 7, wherein The destination address is a media access control (MAC) address. In the wireless mesh point (WMP), From a first wireless mesh point (WMP), a transmitter address field comprising a source address of the first WMP, a destination address of a second WMP, a first receiver address, and a first transmitter address of the first WMP A receiver configured to receive a message comprising a field and a value equal to a maximum number of next-hop addresses; Reduce the value equal to the maximum number of next-hop addresses, determine a second receiver address, update the receiver address field in the message with the second receiver address, and update the transmitter address field in the message; A processor configured to update the message by updating to a first receiver address; And A transmitter configured to deliver the updated message to the second WMP Wireless mesh point (WMP) comprising a. The method of claim 11, The transmitter is further configured to send the updated message to at least one other intermediate node. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

Images