Abstract: A node model of the present invention is employed by a network modeling and simulation system and includes a communication protocol stack with a plurality of protocol layers. Each protocol layer includes communication functions. The protocol layer functions are each represented by one or more distinct software implementations that are optimized for different simulation purposes. A configurable module switch is disposed between protocol layers within the stack to selectively control information flow between functions within adjacent protocol layers. The node model enables a user to perform network simulation or analysis of varying detail or granularity.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for disseminating information in a communication network having a plurality of nodes. The method includes receiving, in a node, a packet including link-state advertisements (LSAs) from the communication network and a flooding status field. Based on the flooding status field, the node determines the type of LSA received and then re-floods the packet onto the communication network, based on the type of LSA determined from the flooding status field. A sub-field in the flooding status field indicates whether the LSA is intended for distribution to the entire communication network, or is intended for distribution to other nodes in the communication network located within a predetermined range of the node. The node prevents re-flooding of the LSA, if the other nodes in the communication network are located outside of the predetermined range. The node includes a re-flood timer which is set to expire based on an urgency level included in the flooding status field.

Abstract: In a network including multiple nodes communicating on a channel using CSMA protocol, where each node accesses the channel by occupying at least one time slot in a contention interval, the invention includes transmitting and receiving, in a node, messages on the channel during a first time interval. The invention counts, in the node, at least one of the transmitted and received messages during the first time interval. The invention determines, in the node, a channel occupancy during the first time interval, after counting the messages, and then adaptively adjusts, in the node, the contention interval based on the channel occupancy.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for disseminating information in a communication network having a plurality of nodes. The method includes receiving, in a node, a packet including link-state advertisements (LSAs) from the communication network and a flooding status field. Based on the flooding status field, the node determines the type of LSA received and then re-floods the packet onto the communication network, based on the type of LSA determined from the flooding status field. A sub-field in the flooding status field indicates whether the LSA is intended for distribution to the entire communication network, or is intended for distribution to other nodes in the communication network located within a predetermined range of the node. The node prevents re-flooding of the LSA, if the other nodes in the communication network are located outside of the predetermined range. The node includes a re-flood timer which is set to expire based on an urgency level included in the flooding status field.

Abstract: In a network including multiple nodes communicating on a channel using CSMA protocol, where each node accesses the channel by occupying at least one time slot in a contention interval, the invention includes transmitting and receiving, in a node, messages on the channel during a first time interval. The invention counts, in the node, at least one of the transmitted and received messages during the first time interval. The invention determines, in the node, a channel occupancy during the first time interval, after counting the messages, and then adaptively adjusts, in the node, the contention interval based on the channel occupancy.

Abstract: A wireless network includes a plurality of nodes arranged into clusters with each cluster having cluster member nodes and a designated cluster head node. The nodes communicate with each other via an intranet protocol, while the network may communicate with other external networks in accordance with an internetworking protocol (e.g., a Radio Open Shortest Path First (ROSPF) protocol). A database within each network node contains link information for that node, while ROSPF Link-State Advertisement (LSA) type packets or database update messages contain information to update the node databases. The ROSPF LSA type packets are transmitted to neighbors of each node to enable each database to maintain current information. In order to reduce overhead of transmitting numerous LSA type packets, the present invention transmits the ROSPF LSA type packet within an intranet protocol beacon type or node status packet that is periodically broadcasted within the network.

Abstract: Link-State Advertisement (LSA) and other routing control packets are transmitted within a wireless communication system or network via selective enablement of control links for transference of the packets between network nodes. Specifically, an exemplary wireless network includes a plurality of nodes arranged into clusters with each cluster having cluster member nodes and a designated cluster head node. The nodes communicate with each other via an intranet protocol, while the network may communicate with other external networks in accordance with an internetworking protocol. A database within each network head node contains link information for that node. The LSA packets contain information to update the head node databases, while other routing control packets generally contain various routing information for network nodes to facilitate message transmissions. The routing control packets are transmitted to each head node to control routing functions and enable each database to maintain current information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for broadcasting messages in accordance with the presentinvention transmits a broadcast message within a wireless communication system or network utilization of redundant Request-to-Send type or broadcast notice messages or packets BRTS). A source node repeatedly transmits a sequence of these messages over a system reservation channel with each message containing a sequence identifier. The sequence identifier of each succeeding message has a value immediately preceding the identifier of the previously transmitted broadcast notice message. A destination node receives the messages and determines the transmission time of the broadcast message based on each received message identifier. Subsequent transmission and reception of the final broadcast notice message in the sequence, the broadcast message is transmitted by the source node to the destination node over a data channel identified in the transmitted messages.

Abstract: A distributed discrete-event simulation system operable for processing time-stamped events in chronological order for simulating a multinode communications network, the simulation system comprising a plurality of subsystem platforms (SPs) operable for transmitting message packets to other SPs for simulating node to node communications; and a system controller coupled via a communication link to the plurality of SPs for controlling synchronization and message packet processing associated with the plurality of SPs; wherein when a time-stamped event is received by one of the SPs, the receiving SP responsive to the time-stamped event triggers execution of tasks associated with the time-stamped event in the other SPs via the message packets to provide parallel task processing for the particular time-stamped event among the plurality of SPs.