Conjoined class-based networking
A data communication network includes two logically distinct class-based networks conjoined by at least one common node that has membership in each of the respective classes of the two logically distinct class-based networks. Optionally, three or more class-based networks may be conjoined to form a data communications network.
1. A method for maintaining information regarding communication links between a plurality of nodes in a wireless network, the method implemented by a first node comprising:
for each communication link that is established with one or more other nodes, recording an identification of the other nodes;
receiving a message, by the first node from another node via the communication link with the other node, the message including a network pathway by which the message was communicated in the wireless network;
communicating another message to a destination node in the wireless network that is intended for receipt by the destination node, the communicating of the message by the first node including:
determining whether one or more network pathways from the first node to the destination node are known by the first node;
determining a preferred network pathway from the known network pathways; and
communicating the message to the destination node via the preferred network pathway in the wireless network.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein if there is no known network pathway from the first node to the destination node, the method further comprising:
communicating with the plurality of nodes to determine a network pathway to the destination node.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the preferred network pathway from the known network pathways is based at least in part on a number of hops between the nodes in the known network pathways.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the determining the preferred network pathway based on an overall number of hops of each of the one or more network pathways.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the determining the preferred network pathway from the known network pathways comprises comparing the overall number of hops of the known network pathways.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining whether the one or more network pathways from the first node to the destination node are known by the first node includes searching the maintained information for a network pathway from the first node to the destination node.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the maintained information that is searched includes any network pathway to the destination node that is identified in the message.
8. A wireless communication device operating as a node for communication in a wireless network comprising a plurality of nodes, the wireless communication device comprising:
a receiver configured to receive radio frequency transmissions;
a transmitter configured to transmit radio frequency transmissions;
a memory configured to maintain information regarding communication links between the plurality of nodes in the wireless network;
electronic components of the wireless communication device configured to:
for each communication link that is established with one or more other nodes, record an identification of the other nodes;
receive from another node, using the receiver and via the communication link with the other node, a message including a network pathway by which the message was communicated in the wireless network;
communicate another message, using the transmitter, to a destination node in the wireless network, the message intended for receipt by the destination node, the communication of the message including to:
determine whether one or more network pathways from the node to the destination node are known by the node;
determine a preferred network pathway from the known network pathways; and
transmit the message, using the transmitter, to the destination node via the preferred network pathway.
9. The wireless communication device of claim 8 , wherein if there is no known network pathway from the node to the destination node, the electronic components are configured to:
communicate with the plurality of nodes to determine a network pathway to the destination node.
10. The wireless communication device of claim 8 , wherein the determination of the preferred network pathway from the known network pathways is based at least in part on a number of hops between the nodes in the known network pathways.
11. The wireless communication device of claim 10 , wherein the determination of the preferred network pathway based on an overall number of hops of each of the one or more network pathways.
12. The wireless communication device of claim 11 , wherein the determination of the preferred network pathway from the known network pathways comprises comparing the overall number of hops of the known network pathways.
13. The wireless communication device of claim 8 , wherein the determination of whether the one or more network pathways from the node to the destination node are known by the node, includes a search of the maintained information for a network pathway from the node to the destination node.
14. The wireless communication device of claim 13 , wherein the maintained information that is searched includes any network pathway to the destination node that is identified in the message.
15. A wireless communication system comprising:
a plurality of nodes configured for communication in the wireless communication system;
a node of the plurality of nodes configured to maintain information regarding communication links between the plurality of nodes in the wireless communication system, the node configured to:
for each communication link that is established with one or more other nodes, record an identification of the other node;
receive, from another node via the communication link with the other node, a message including a network pathway by which the message has been communicated in the wireless network; and
communicate another message to a destination node in the wireless network, the message intended for receipt by the destination node, the communication of the message initiating the node to:
determine whether one or more network pathways from the node to the destination node are known by the node;
determine a preferred network pathway from the known network pathways; and
communicate the message to the destination node via the preferred network pathway.
16. The wireless communication system of claim 15 , wherein if there is no known network pathway from the node to the destination node, the node is configured to:
communicate with the plurality of nodes to determine a network pathway to the destination node.
17. The wireless communication system of claim 15 , wherein the determination of the preferred network pathway from the known network pathways is based at least in part on a number of hops between the nodes in the known network pathways.
18. The wireless communication system of claim 17 , wherein the determination of the preferred network pathway based on an overall number of hops of each of the one or more network pathways.
19. The wireless communication system of claim 17 , wherein the determination of the preferred network pathway from the known network pathways comprises comparing the overall number of hops of the known network pathways.
20. The wireless communication system of claim 15 , wherein the determination of whether the one or more network pathways from the node to the destination node are known by the node, includes a search of the maintained information for a network pathway from the node to the destination node.