| 摘要 |
In order to transmit a data message in a multi-hop environment, a first station broadcasts or multicasts a transmission to other stations or receivers nearby. After one or more of the stations replies to the first station, the first station selects one of the stations that replied and transmits a command message to the selected station to assume responsibility for forwarding the data message. The data message can accompany the first transmission from the first station, or can accompany the command message. In addition, the replies to the first station can include information regarding costs of routing the data message to its destination. In another variation, the first transmission can include both the data message and a command message designating one of the nearby stations, so that when the designated station receives the first transmission it can immediately forward the data message and then later reply to the first station. This variation also includes a backup mechanism so that if the designated station does not receive the first transmission, one or more of the other nearby stations that did receive the first transmission can reply to the first station, which can then evaluate the replies, select one of the stations that replied, and transmit a command message to the selected station.
|
