MULTI-HOP ROUTING PROTOCOL WITH BACKUP ROUTES IN WLAN NETWORKS

摘要

A wireless communication apparatus, system or method utilizing for performing data transmission over a communication band (e.g., directional mmW) which maintains a primary and at least one backup route for communications between a source and destination station. Route discovery messages are sent to neighboring stations in creating a route over multiple hops. Along the routing path link metrics are determined which are shared with other stations. Route discovery and routing response messages are propagated to neighbor stations aside from the sending station. The destination station, upon receiving the route discovery message, determines a primary route and at least one backup route, and sends this information in a route reply message back to the originator of the route discovery message. Stations maintain these primary and backup routes through status request and status reply messages.