Connectivity Management Mechanism for Multi-Hop Capillary Networks

摘要

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for managing connectivity between a cellular network 15 (in which device communicate via long-range wireless technology) and devices in one or more multi-hop capillary networks 16 (in which devices communicate via short-range wireless technology). One or more gateways 24 connect the one or more multi-hop capillary networks 16 to the cellular network 15 and communicates via short-range and long-range wireless technology. A management node 28 determines a topology of the capillary network(s) 16 based on received reachability information. The topology indicates which devices are within communication range of other devices and gateways in the capillary network 16. The management node 28 makes determinations based on the topology and transmits notifications to a first device 26B within communication range of the one or more gateways 24 and to a second device 26A not within communication range of any gateway.