Abstract: A communications network comprises a plurality of linked nodes between a source and a destination. At each node the state of the network and its links are measured and stored with advertisements from other links. The node also performs a routing algorithm to define the instantaneously best path to the destination for the current network state. The routing algorithm responds to a plurality of metrics, including costs of links, and may use fuzzy logic which derives a fuzzy cost for candidate paths to derive a least fuzzy cost path to be followed. Traffic is shared between a path which is determined to be the best, at the current point in time, and a path which has previously been determined as the best path. The network can be a network which carries mobile cellular traffic.

Abstract: A communications network, particularly for mobile cellular traffic, whose topology changes as a function of time and usage includes a plurality of linked nodes between a source and destination and at each node the state of the network and its links are measured and. stored with advertisements from other links. The node also runs, for each of a traffic type defined by QoS requirements and/or precedence, a routing algorithm to define the instantaneously best path to the destination for the current network state and updated either periodically or whenever the network metrics are changed by traffic load to a significant extent. The routing algorithm responds to a plurality of metrics, including costs of links, and may use fuzzy logic which is set up to derive a fuzzy cost for candidate paths to derive a least fuzzy cost path to be followed.