| 摘要 |
A method is provided of operating a communication network comprising a plurality of stations. Each station is able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit a message comprising a plurality of data packets from an originating station to a destination station via at least one opportunistically selected intermediate station. The method includes selecting, at each station, one or more probing channels for the transmission of probe signals to other stations. Neighbor gathering probe signals are transmitted from each station on the selected one or more probing channels. Other neighboring stations which receive the neighbor gathering probe signals from a probing station respond directly, or indirectly via other stations, to thereby indicate to the probing station their availability as destination or intermediate stations. A station with data to send transmits on one or more of the selected probing channels, to other neighboring stations that have indicated to the probing station their availability as destination or intermediate stations, a data transport signal comprising a Request to Send message indicating the need to send data to a particular destination station or stations and specifying instructions and/or criteria for use by one or more neighboring stations receiving the Request to Send message. One or more neighboring stations that have indicated to the probing station their availability as destination or intermediate stations and that receive the Request to Send message, transmit to the station with data to send, a data transport signal. The data transport signal comprises a first response message including general information indicating the neighboring station's availability as a destination or intermediate station, and supplementary information in response to the instructions and/or criteria specified by the station with data to send. At the station with data to send, one or more neighboring stations that transmitted a first response message are selected opportunistically as recipients of data and/or instructions based on the general information and, where applicable, on the supplementary information in their first response messages, and at least one data packet is transmitted to the selected neighboring stations, or one or more additional instructions are sent to the selected neighboring stations and/or to other stations. The first response message may be a Clear to Send message. Alternatively, the first response message could be an Acknowledgement message or a Ready to Receive message. In that case the method includes, after the step of the station with data to send transmitting the Request to Send message, the step of transmitting, from the station with data to send, at least one data packet to the other neighboring stations that have indicated their availability as destination or intermediate stations. The invention extends to a communication network for implementing the method. |
