Metricom, Inc.

Robert L Kalkwarf

George H Flammer

Paul Baran

A packet network routing method and system based on geographic coordinate identifiers is described. Each node in a network is uniquely identified by absolute geographical coordinates or by a code indicating absolute location in an external coordinate-based reference system (node coordinates), and such absolute geographical coordinates or the equivalent are employed as part of a packet identifier for each packet generated for use in making routing decisions. The node coordinates of a local node and its neighboring nodes and the packet coordinates are used by means at each node through which a packet is routed for determining a desired forwarding route of a data packet. The routing may be prioritized according to preselected criteria, preferably achieving maximum forward progress using the least amount of power. The packet routing protocol according to the invention requires no routing directory or table to perform data routing.

Method and system for routing packets in a packet communication network

A packet network routing method and system based on geographic coordinate identifiers is described. Each node in a network is uniquely identified by absolute geographical coordinates or by a code indicating absolute location in an external coordinate-based reference system (node coordinates), and such absolute geographical coordinates or the equivalent are employed as part of a packet identifier for each packet generated for use in making routing decisions. The node coordinates of a local node and its neighboring nodes and the packet coordinates are used by means at each node through which a packet is routed for determining a desired forwarding route of a data packet. The routing may be prioritized according to preselected criteria, preferably achieving maximum forward progress using the least amount of power. The packet routing protocol according to the invention requires no routing directory or table to perform data routing. Each node of the network collects in a table or is otherwise provided with information about the quality of communication between itself and its neighboring nodes. When a data packet has been received at a node, it is routed further through the network based on criteria derived from the history of communication between the local node and its neighbors.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Robert L Kalkwarf