A SOLUTION FOR DISSEMINATING SOURCE ROUTING INFORMATION FOR WIRELESS MESH NETWORKS

Abstract

The invention relates to a dissemination system (200). The system (200) comprises: a first communication device (202), and one or more second communication devices (204a-204n) being associated members of the first communication device (202). The first communication device (202) is configured to communicate source routing information to at least one second communication device (204a-204n). The source routing information comprises source routing control information and a source routing identifier. In response to receiv- ing the source routing information, each second communication device (204a-204n) being a router device (104b) is configured to: decide based on the source routing control information whether to repeat the received source routing information to its member devices (206a-206n) with the identifier of said second communication device (204a-204n) set to the source routing identifier or with the source routing identifier of the received source routing information. The invention relates also to dissemination methods, wireless communication devices, a computer program, and a computer readable medium for a wireless mesh network (102).

Description

1 / 75 “A SOLUTION FOR DISSEMINATING SOURCE ROUTING INFORMATION FOR WIRELESS MESH NETWORKS TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates generally to the technical field of wireless mesh networks. In particular, the invention relates to the dissemination of source routing information in wireless mesh networks. FUNDAMENTALS

[0002] In a wireless mesh network, different downlink routing solutions (i.e., traffic originating from external backend systems to a target device belonging to the wireless mesh network) can be divided into the following different high-level categories: downlink flooding, routing table, and source routing.

[0003] In the downlink flooding solution, a downlink data packet is flooded in the downlink direction to all possible parts of the wireless mesh network to reach the target device of the data packet. Each router device in the wireless mesh network can potentially limit the flooding to its member devices that do not have secondary devices and are not targets of the packet. For example, this is the current downlink routing solution in Digital European Cordless Telecommunications (DECT-2020 NR) Version 1. The benefit of the downlink flooding solution is that the solution is simple and reliable, and changes in network topologies do not impact routing; Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 18 / 120 2 / 75 therefore, routing tables or complex routing logic are not necessary, nor is signaling required to update any routing information. The disadvantage of the downlink flooding solution is a high overhead due to flooding, as each downlink data packet is potentially transmitted over multiple radio links in the network, even most of them unnecessarily.

[0004] In the routing table solution, each router device in the wireless mesh network maintains a routing table comprising the addresses of the devices below the router device and the corresponding next-hop addresses of those devices. There are different methods for obtaining entries in the routing table and maintaining the routing tables. For example, devices can send explicit packets to update the routing tables, or router devices can learn implicitly from uplink data traffic. Routing tables can be complete and always up-to-date. Alternatively, routing tables can be partial. In the case of partial routing tables, the router device resorts to downlink flooding if no next-hop target address is found in the routing table for the packet to be forwarded.The benefits of the routing table solution are that flooding can be efficiently restricted to a single router device individually, because each router device can independently decide whether to resort to flooding when necessary. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 19 / 120 3 / 75 updated information is not available in the routing table. Routing tables can be implicitly updated from each uplink packet, but there is no need to continuously update routing tables when there is no data packet activity. Therefore, the routing table solution works efficiently when there is bidirectional traffic between a single wireless mesh network device and the backend system. Furthermore, the benefit of the routing table solution is that packet overhead is not increased.

[0005] One disadvantage of the routing table solution is the memory consumption of the routing devices, as each routing device needs to maintain a next-hop address for each target address. Memory consumption increases more in the routing table solution for routing devices located closer to a gateway device than for routing devices located further away in the network topology, since a larger number of target devices are below these routing devices closer to the gateway device. The gateway device is transmitting the data received from the backend system to the wireless mesh network.Furthermore, if partial routing tables are used, the probability of table space exhaustion is higher on router devices closer to the gateway in the network topology, precisely where selecting the correct next hop and avoiding flooding would provide the most overhead benefits for preventing flooding. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 20 / 120 4 / 75

[0006] In the source routing solution, each source device stores the complete path to the target device and attaches a protocol header to a transmitted packet, i.e., protocol data unit (PDU), with all next-hop addresses, so that the complete path from the source device to the target device is included in the transmitted packet. In the downlink direction, this means that the source device, for example, a warehouse device or a gateway device, of the downlink data packet towards the wireless mesh network, maintains a list of next-hop addresses for each device under it and includes these addresses in each downlink PDU sent.The benefit of source routing compared to routing tables is that router devices do not need any extra memory for routing, as the protocol header of the received PDU includes the next-hop address to which the router device should forward the received PDU. Because the PDU includes the complete path, there is no need to flood the wireless mesh network with data, and the overhead of flood routing is avoided.

[0007] The disadvantage of the source routing solution is the overhead introduced in each transmitted packet, which increases when the number of hops is increased. Secondly, any route change needs to be reported to the source device and maintained even if there are no packets to be delivered. Therefore, the greater the number of Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 21 / 120 The more devices and hops there are in the wireless mesh network, the greater the number of route update messages and the more packet overhead will be introduced, reducing the benefits of avoiding flooding. Furthermore, in the source routing solution, the signaling load of route update messages is concentrated on the wireless mesh network gateway devices and devices connected to those gateway devices, as all route update messages pass through these router devices, even if the route changes are not impacting in any way how downlink PDUs are routed from these router devices; that is, the route changes are happening in lower parts of the network topology.

[0008] Furthermore, the source routing solution can easily lead to a very high route update load, for example, in scenarios such as when a high number of devices start malfunctioning, causing restarts, or when the number of mobile devices or changes in channel conditions are increased.

[0009] Each different downlink routing solution discussed above has its own limitations and benefits. Therefore, there is a need to develop more routing solutions for wireless mesh networks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following is a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of various embodiments of inventions. The summary does not Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 22 / 120 6 / 75 is a broad overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention, nor to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary presents only some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0011] One object of the invention is to provide a dissemination system, dissemination methods, wireless communication devices, a computer program, and a computer-readable medium for a wireless mesh network. Another object of the invention is that the dissemination system, dissemination methods, wireless communication devices, computer program, and computer-readable medium for a wireless mesh network enable the dissemination of source routing information to reduce the number of records.

[0012] The objectives of the invention are achieved by a dissemination system, dissemination methods, wireless communication devices, a computer program and a computer-readable medium, as defined by the respective independent claims.

[0013] According to a first aspect, a dissemination system is provided for a wireless mesh network comprising a plurality of communication devices, wherein the system comprises: a first communication device, and one or more second communication devices that are associated members of the first communication device, wherein the first communication device and the one or more second devices are associated members of the first communication device. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 23 / 120 7 / 75 communication devices belong to the plurality of communication devices of the wireless mesh network; wherein the first communication device is configured to communicate source routing information to at least one second communication device among the one or more second communication devices to disseminate at least one functionality of a hop-limited downlink source routing, wherein the source routing information comprises source routing control information and a source routing identifier indicating the most recently hop router device participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing;and wherein, in response to receiving source routing information from the first communication device, each second communication device being a router device is configured to decide, based on the source routing control information, whether to repeat the received source routing information to its member devices with the identifier of said second communication device set as the source routing identifier, or with the source routing identifier of the received source routing information.

[0014] The first communication device may be a storage device configured to communicate the source routing information by: transmitting a signaling message comprising the source routing information to all second communication devices or transmitting by point-to-point broadcast a Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 24 / 120 8 / 75 control message comprising routing information from the source to at least one second communication device among one or more second communication devices.

[0015] Alternatively, the first communication device may be a router device configured to communicate the source routing information to at least one second communication device broadcasting a signaling message comprising the source routing information or transmitting a control message comprising the source routing information via point-to-point broadcast.

[0016] Source routing control information may comprise a source routing hop limit value representing the number of hops that the hop-limited downlink source routing covers and a hop count value, wherein, in response to receiving source routing information from the first communication device, each second communication device being a router device may be configured to: compare the hop count value of the received source routing information with the source routing hop limit value of the received source routing information; and communicate the received source routing information to its member devices with the hop count value incremented by one and the identifier of said second communication device set as the source routing identifier, if the hop count value is not Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 25 / 120 9 / 75 meet the source routing hop limit value; or communicate the received source routing information comprising at least the source routing identifier of the received source routing information to its member devices, if the hop count value meets the source routing hop limit value.

[0017] Alternatively, the source routing control information of the source routing information may comprise a source routing hop limit value representing the number of hops that the hop-limited downlink source routing covers, and wherein, in response to receiving the source routing information from the first communication device, each second communication device being a router device may be configured to: communicate the received source routing information to its member devices with the source routing hop limit value reduced by one and the identifier of said second communication device set as the source routing identifier, if the source routing hop limit value of the received source routing information is greater than zero;or, alternatively, communicate the source routing information, including at least the source routing identifier of the received source routing information, to its member devices.

[0018] When each second communication device changes its association with the first device of Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 26 / 120 10 / 75 communication to a third communication device belonging to the plurality of communication devices of the wireless mesh network, said second communication device may be configured to: compare the source routing identifier contained in the source routing information received from the third communication device with the source routing identifier contained in the source routing information received from the first communication device; and send a registration message to the third communication device to route the registration message to a storage device, if the source routing identifier contained in the source information received from the first communication device is different from the source routing identifier contained in the source routing information of the third communication device;or define that the existing record is valid if the source routing identifier included in the source information received from the first communication device matches the source routing identifier included in the source routing information from the third communication device.

[0019] The source routing information may additionally comprise expiry time data, whereby every second communication device may be configured to send a registration message to the first communication device to route the message. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 27 / 120 11 / 75 of registration to a deposit device, according to the validity time data.

[0020] In response to receiving a downlink data packet comprising source routing path data and an identifier of a destination device for the downlink data packet from the first communication device, each second communication device may be configured to: if the source routing path data comprises an identifier of a member device of the second communication device, transmit the downlink data packet to said member device via point-to-point broadcast; or if the destination device identifier matches an identifier of a member device of the second communication device, transmit the downlink data packet to said member device via point-to-point broadcast;Or, alternatively, send the downlink data packet to all member devices of the router to route the downlink data packet to the destination device.

[0021] The first communication device can be configured to communicate the source routing information periodically.

[0022] According to a second aspect, a dissemination method is provided for a wireless mesh network, wherein the method comprises the following steps: communicating, by means of a first communication device, source routing information to at least one second communication device being an associated member of the first. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 28 / 120 12 / 75 communication device for disseminating at least one functionality of a hop-limited downlink source routing, wherein the source routing information comprises source routing control information and a source routing identifier indicating the most recently participating hop router device in the hop-limited downlink source routing; in response to receiving source routing information from the first communication device, decide, for each second communication device, based on the source routing control information, whether to repeat the received source routing information to its member devices with the identifier of said second communication device set as the source routing identifier, or with the source routing identifier of the received source routing information.

[0023] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided for a wireless mesh network, wherein the communication device comprises: a controller and a radio communicator to operate as a radio node device, wherein the communication device is configured to: communicate, via the radio communicator, source routing information to at least one second communication device being an associated member of the communication device to disseminate at least one functionality of a hop-limited downlink source routing, wherein the source routing information comprises Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 29 / 120 13 / 75 source routing control information and a source routing identifier indicating the most recently acquired hop communication device participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing.

[0024] According to the fourth aspect, a dissemination method is provided for the communication device described above, wherein the method comprises at least one step of: communicating, by means of a radio communicator of the communication device, source routing information to at least one second communication device being an associated member of the communication device, to disseminate at least one functionality of a hop-limited downlink source routing, wherein the source routing information comprises source routing control information and a source routing identifier indicating the most recently hopped communication device participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing.

[0025] According to a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided for a wireless mesh network, wherein the communication device comprises: a controller and a radio communicator to operate as a radio node device, wherein the communication device is configured to: receive, via the radio communicator, routing information from a first communication device, of which the communication device is an associated member, wherein the Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 30 / 120 14 / 75 source routing information comprises source routing control information and a source routing identifier indicating the most recently acquired hop communication device participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing; in response to receiving the source routing information, the controller decides, based on the source routing control information, whether to repeat, via the radio communicator, the received source routing information to its member devices with the identifier of said second communication device defined as the source routing identifier, or with the source routing identifier of the received source routing information.

[0026] According to a sixth aspect, a dissemination method is provided for the communication device, as described above, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: receiving, by means of a radio communicator of the communication device, source routing information from a first communication device, of which the communication device is an associate member, wherein the source routing information comprises source routing control information and a source routing identifier indicating the most recently hopped communication device participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing; in response to receiving the source routing information; and deciding, by means of a device controller, Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 31 / 120 15 / 75 communication, based on the source routing control information, must repeat, via the radio communicator of the communication device, the received source routing information to its member devices with the identifier of said second communication device defined as the source routing identifier, or with the source routing identifier of the received source routing information.

[0027] A computer program is provided, wherein the computer program comprises instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, causes the computer to execute at least the steps of the method as described above.

[0028] A tangible, non-volatile, computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises the computer program as described above.

[0029] Various exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the invention, both in terms of constructions and methods of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the description of specific exemplary and non-limiting embodiments that follow, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0030] The verbs understand and include are used in this document as open-ended limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of non-recited features. Recited features in dependent claims are mutually combinable freely unless explicitly stated otherwise. Furthermore, it must Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 32 / 120 16 / 75 if it is understood that the use of "um" or "uma," that is, a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example of a wireless communication environment in which a broadcasting system can operate.

[0033] Figures 2A to 2C schematically illustrate examples of the dissemination system, which operates on the wireless mesh network.

[0034] Figure 3A schematically illustrates an example of a dissemination method for disseminating source routing information in the wireless communication network through the dissemination system.

[0035] Figures 3B and 3C schematically illustrate examples of the decision-making stage of the dissemination method.

[0036] Figures 4A to 4D schematically illustrate examples of dissemination of source routing information.

[0037] Figure 5A schematically illustrates an example of the dissemination of source routing information in a wireless mesh network.

[0038] Figure 5B schematically illustrates another example of the dissemination of source routing information in the wireless mesh network. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 33 / 120 17 / 75

[0039] Figure 6 schematically illustrates an example of a communication decision process for a record message in response to a change in association.

[0040] Figure 7 illustrates another example of the dissemination system, which operates on the wireless mesh network.

[0041] Figure 8 schematically illustrates an example of a downlink data packet routing process through the dissemination system using a downlink source routing with hop coverage limitation.

[0042] Figure 9 schematically illustrates an example of routing a downlink data packet using downlink source routing with hop coverage limitation.

[0043] Figure 10 schematically illustrates an example of operational parts of a wireless radio communication device. DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY MODALITIES

[0044] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example of a wireless communication environment in which a broadcast system 200 can operate. The environment comprises a wireless mesh network (system) 102, which comprises a plurality of wireless radio communication devices (nodes) 104a, 104b, 104c. Devices 104a, 104b, 104c operate in the same spectrum comprising one or more frequency bands in the same geographical area, for example, in the environment presented. Each of the one or more frequency bands may comprise one or more frequency channels. The use of the same spectrum allows a Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 34 / 120 18 / 75 two-way radio communication between devices 104a, 104b, 104c on network 102, in which radio transmissions transmitted via a device 104a, 104b, 104c can be received by another device 104a, 104b, 104c and vice versa.

[0045] The 200 dissemination system can be applied to any 102 wireless radio communication network that uses packet transmissions in communication, i.e., in data exchange. Preferably, the 200 system can be applied to any wireless radio communication network that can be used for multi-hop communication between devices 104a, 104b, 104c, i.e., packets can be delivered through at least two consecutive radio links. The 200 system can be applied to 102 wireless communication networks compliant with the Enhanced Digital Wireless Telecommunications (DECT-2020 NR) standard. The DECT-2020 NR standard is a radio access technology developed by ETSI.Some non-limiting examples to which the 300 routing system can also be applied may include, but are not limited to, a multi-hop wireless network, a wireless mesh network, for example, a wireless sensor network (WSN), a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh network, a Zigbee network, a Thread network, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN), a cellular-based local area network, a cellular network and / or. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 35 / 120 19 / 75 any other wireless network. An example of a WSN is explained in US patent publication 8064363 B2.

[0046] As explained above, each device 104a, 104b, 104c is capable of providing, through its radio communicator 1036, two-way radio communication with at least one other device 104a, 104b, 104c. This means that each device 104a, 104b, 104c can operate as a transmitter, a receiver, or as a transmitter-receiver when each device 104a, 104b, 104c is capable of transmitting at least one message to another device(s) 104a, 104b, 104c and receiving at least one message from another device(s) 104a, 104b, 104c on network 102.

[0047] Network 102 may also comprise at least one gateway device 105, for example, one, two, three, four or more gateway devices. Each gateway device 105 operates as a gateway between network 102 and other external network(s) 106, for example, the Internet, and delivers data to and from network 102. Each gateway device 105 communicates with at least one storage device (node) 104a, for example, one, two, three, four or more storage devices, and each storage device 104a operates as a radio interface to the gateway device 105 on network 102. The at least one storage device 104a belongs to the plurality of devices 104a, 104b, 104c on network 102. Each storage device 104a may be physically located in connection with gateway device 105 or separately in a different part of network 102. If gateway device 105 Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 36 / 120 20 / 75 comprises several storage devices 104a, one may be located in connection with the gateway device 105 and others separately in different parts of the network 102.

[0048] The storage device(s) 104a typically have a specific function for routing data packets from network 102 to gateway device 104 and / or from gateway device 104 to network 102. The function of the storage device does not need to be fixed, but storage device 104a can change its function to a router function, for example, if the connection to gateway device 105 is lost or if gateway device 105 is unable to provide the service, for example, gateway device 105 has lost its internet connection. The other node devices 104b, 104c are capable of operating in different fixed or non-fixed functions in network 102. The other devices 104b, 104c in network 102 are router devices (i.e., routers) 104b, i.e., devices operating in a router function, and non-router devices (i.e., non-routers) 104c, i.e., devices operating in a non-router function, depending on whether a device needs to participate in data packet forwarding. One method for selecting router and non-router functions could be, for example, according to the method explained in the US patent publication. 10,499,264. The storage devices 104a and the router devices 104b of network 102 can participate in routing operations, that is, in the routing of data packets.

[0049] Each 104b router device maintains network connectivity 102 and routes (forwards) data (by Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 37 / 120 21 / 75 example, data packets) from other devices 104a, 104b, 104c when necessary. In other words, each 104b router device participates in data routing (e.g., data packets on the network). 102. Each non-router device 104c is capable of providing bidirectional communication to transmit its own data (e.g., data packets) and receive data (e.g., data packets) addressed to it in the same way as 104a storage devices and 104b router devices, but the 104c non-router device does not route data (e.g., data packets) from other 104a, 104b, 104c devices. Each device on the 102 network may be capable of operating at least as a 104b router or a non-routing device. 104c. Alternatively, at least some of the devices on the network may be able to operate as a router device. 104b or non-routing device 104c, and one or more of the devices on network 102 may be able to operate only as a 104b router device or only as a 104c non-routing device.

[0050] In addition, each device on the 102 network can operate with a limited-capacity battery as a 104b router device or a 104c non-router device. To obtain maximum operating time, both 104b router devices and 104c non-router devices can limit their activity from a 1036 radio communicator by having discontinuous transmit and receive mode when the 1036 radio communicator is switched off. Due to the limited battery capacity of 104b router devices and non-router devices Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 38 / 120 22 / 75 104c routers, it is preferable that all configuration and registration signaling on the 102 network be limited. Alternatively, at least some of the devices on the 102 network can operate with a limited-capacity battery as a 104b router device or a 104c non-router device, and one or more of the devices on the 102 network can operate with a limited-capacity battery only as a 104b router device or only as a 104c non-router device.

[0051] Network 102 comprises devices 104b, 104c, such that all devices 104b, 104c are unable or prefer not to communicate directly with the storage device(s) 104a due to radio conditions, for example, large distance between devices 104a, 104b, 104c, interference or signal fading between devices 104a, 104b, 104c; or a limited radio range, in which it is necessary or preferred by devices 104a, 104b, 104c to use multi-link (i.e., multi-hop) communication between each device 104b, 104c and the storage device 104a.

[0052] Uplink data packets generated by one or more of the plurality of communication devices 104b, 104c are routed in an uplink direction in the wireless mesh network 102, i.e., out of the wireless communication network 102, for example, to one or more external networks 106. Downlink data packets generated for one or more of the plurality of communication devices 104a, 104b, 104c are routed in a downlink direction in the wireless mesh network. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 39 / 120 23 / 75 102, that is, for the wireless mesh network 102, for example, from one or more external networks 106.

[0053] Figures 2A to 2C schematically illustrate examples of a 200 dissemination system, which operates on the 102 wireless mesh network. The 200 dissemination system is used to disseminate, i.e., distribute, source routing information on the 102 wireless communication network. The source routing information indicates at least one functionality of a hop-limited downlink source routing.The downlink source routing solution with hop limitation is used to route downlink data (e.g., at least one downlink data packet) from a source device (e.g., a 104a depot device) up a limited number of hops (radio), and after the limited number of hops, the downlink data is routed to a destination device using at least one other routing solution, e.g., routing table-based routing solution and / or downlink flooding-based routing solution.In a hop-limited downlink source routing solution, the downlink data packet comprises a destination device identifier (destination device ID) and source routing path data representing a communication path from the source device to the last device participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing. The information... Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 40 / 120 24 / 75 source routing is disseminated on the 102 network to inform the communication devices of the 102 network that the hop-limited downlink source routing solution is in use and at least one functionality of the hop-limited downlink source routing solution. Hop-limited downlink source routing is discussed further in this patent application.

[0054] In the examples of Figures 2A to 2C, the wireless mesh network 102 is implemented in a cluster tree topology. However, the dissemination solution described in this patent application is not limited to this, and the wireless mesh network 102 can also be implemented in other mesh topologies besides the cluster tree topology. The dissemination system 200 comprises a first communication device 202 and one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n) being associated members of the first communication device 202. The first communication device 202 and the one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n) belong to the plurality of communication devices of the wireless mesh network 102. The one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n) are associated with the first communication device 202 to operate as the member devices of the first communication device 202.After association, the first communication device 202 is aware of, that is, knows, the identifiers (IDs) of the member devices, i.e., identifiers of. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 41 / 120 25 / 75 member devices (member device IDs). The first communication device 202 is a primary device of one or more secondary communication devices (204a to 204n). The first communication device 202 can be a storage device 104a or a router device 104b. The one or more secondary communication devices (204a to 204n) can be router devices 104b and / or non-router devices 104c. Each secondary communication device 204a, (204c to 204n) being a router device 104b can additionally include at least one member device (206a to 206n). The at least one member device (206a to 206n) of each secondary communication device (204a to 204n) belongs to the wireless mesh network communication plurality 102.System 200 may additionally include a plurality of other wireless communication devices belonging to the wireless mesh network communication device plurality 102. In the examples of Figures 2A and 2B, the first communication device 202 is a storage device 104a. The one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n) in the examples of Figures 2A and 2B comprise one non-routing device 204b and three routing devices 204a, (204c to 204n). In the examples of Figures 2A and 2B, each second communication device 204a, (204c to 204n) 204n) being a router device 104b comprises at least one member device (206a to 206n). In the example in Figure 2C, the first communication device 202 is a router device 104b. The one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n) in the example of Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 42 / 120 26 / 75 Figure 2C comprises one non-routing device 204b and three routing devices 204a, (204c to 204n). In the example in Figure 2C, each second communication device 204a, (204c to 204n) being a routing device 104b comprises at least one member device 206a to 206n.

[0055] Figure 3A schematically illustrates an example of a dissemination method for disseminating source routing information in the wireless communication network 102 using the dissemination system 200 discussed above. Figure 3A illustrates the dissemination method as a flowchart.

[0056] In a step 310, the first communication device 202 communicates source routing information (SRI) indicating at least one hop-limited downlink source routing functionality to at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) among the one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n) of the dissemination system 200 to disseminate at least one hop-limited downlink source routing functionality. For example, the source route information may be a source routing information element (SR IE).The source routing information comprises source routing control information and a source routing identifier (source routing ID) indicating the most recent 104b hop router participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing. The control information... Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 43 / 120 27 / 75 source routing includes at least one source routing hop limit value. Source routing control information may additionally include a hop count value. The source routing hop limit value represents the number of hops that the hop-limited downlink source routing covers, i.e., the number of 104b router devices participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing in each branch of network 102. Each member device of the 104a repository device is a first-hop communication device of a branch of network 102. In other words, network 102 is divided into as many branches as the 104a repository device has member devices. According to a non-limiting example, the source routing hop limit value can be defined as a 4-bit integer.The hop count value is a parameter for counting the number of hops that the source route information has traveled from the 104b storage device towards the edges of the 102 network. The hop count value can, for example, be defined as a 4-bit integer, where the hop count value can start from 1 and be incremented by 1 at each hop. In general, the source routing ID is an identifier of a 104b router device that performs downlink source routing, i.e., participates in downlink source routing with hop limitation, to communication devices beyond (i.e., below) said 104b router device. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 44 / 120 28 / 75 its branch of network 102, for example, its branch in the cluster tree topology. The source routing ID of each 104b router device participating in hop-limited downlink source routing may be unique or at least locally unique on network 102. As a non-limiting example, the source routing ID may be a long DECT-2020 NR RD ID. Alternatively, the source routing ID may be any other identifier assigned to the 104b router device, for example, in a registration process. The source routing ID comprised in the source routing information communicated by the first 202 communication device is an identifier of the most recent 104b router device participating in hop-limited downlink source routing on the same branch of network 102 as the first 202 communication device.The source routing information may additionally comprise a repository device identifier (repository device ID) and / or expiration time data. The repository device ID indicates the repository device ID 104a of network 102, i.e., the repository device from which SRIs are originally communicated. The repository device ID may be unique or at least locally unique on network 102. As a non-limiting example, the repository device ID may be a Long RD ID from NR DECT-2020. The expiration time data indicates a period of time after which a communication device needs to register with repository device 104a, communicating a message. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 45 / 120 29 / 75 registration to the storage device 104a. The time period may, for example, be expressed in minutes or hours. The validity time may be counted, for example, from a transmission of a previous registration message to storage device 104a. Alternatively, the validity time may be counted from a transmission of any other message that storage device 104a may use to detect the location of the communication device on the network 102. The registration of communication devices is discussed further in this patent application. The source routing ID, source routing control information, storage device ID and / or validity time data comprised in the source routing information may represent at least one functionality of hop-limited downlink source routing.In all patent applications, the term "identifier (ID) of a communication device" means an identifier identifying said communication device. For example, the identifier may comprise an address (e.g., a short address or a long address) of said communication device, a unique value of said communication device, or any other identifier identifying said communication device.

[0057] The source routing hop limit value can be set by the storage device 104a or by a management entity (i.e., a backend entity) of one or more external networks 106. The management entity can be any computing entity, for Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 46 / 120 30 / 75 example, a cloud server. The source routing hop limit value defines the depth in each branch of the 102 network to which hop-limited downlink source routing is performed. Alternatively or in addition, the 104a repository device or management entity may define the depth of hop-limited downlink source routing in each branch of the 102 network based on a physical location, a traffic load (i.e., the number of data packets received and transmitted), and / or at least one previously received log message. The physical location may be determined, for example, as geographic or relative coordinates, a coordinate range, an identifier of a known area or known location, or an estimated distance to a known location.

[0058] When the first communication device 202 is a 104a storage device, the first communication device 202 can communicate the source routing information by broadcasting a signaling message comprising the source routing information to all second communication devices (204a to 204n) among one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n). In other words, when the first communication device 202 is a 104a storage device, it broadcasts the source routing information to all its member devices, i.e., all second communication devices (204a to 204n) that are associated members of the 104a storage device. This is Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 47 / 120 31 / 75 illustrated in the example in Figure 2A, where the first communication device 202a, being a storage device 104a, broadcasts the source routing information to all member devices of storage device 104a, that is, to all second communication devices (204a to 204n). By broadcasting the source information from storage device 104a to all member devices of storage device 104a, the source routing information can be disseminated to all branches of the network 102 at once.

[0059] When the first communication device 202 is a storage device 104a, the first communication device 202 may alternatively communicate the source routing information by broadcasting a control message comprising the source routing information point-to-point to at least one second communication device 204a among the one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n). In other words, when the first communication device 202 is a storage device 104a, it broadcasts the source routing information point-to-point to at least one of its member devices, i.e., at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) that is an associated member of storage device 104a.This is illustrated in the example in Figure 2B, where the first communication device 202a, being a repository device 104a, broadcasts the source routing information to a member device of repository device 104a, namely, a. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 48 / 120 32 / 75 a second communication device 204a. Communicating point-to-point broadcasting the source information from the storage device 104a only to a limited number of member devices of the storage device 104a, where the limited number is at least one, the dissemination of the source routing information can be branch-limited. According to an example, the storage device 104a can first communicate the source routing information to at least one member device of the storage device 104a, and subsequently, the storage device 104a can communicate the source routing information to at least one other member device (different from the at least one member device to which the source routing information was first communicated).This branch-limited dissemination of source routing information can then be continued until the source routing information is communicated to all member devices of the 104a repository device. Branch-limited dissemination of source routing information allows the 104a repository device to control the receipt of registration messages. For example, the total number of registration messages that the 104a repository device receives can be controlled. According to another example, the number of registration messages that the 104a repository device receives substantially at the same time can be controlled. Registration messages are discussed further in this patent application. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 49 / 120 33 / 75

[0060] Alternatively or in addition, when the first communication device 202 is a router device 104b, the first communication device 202 can communicate the source routing information to all second communication devices (204a to 204n) by broadcasting a signaling message comprising the source routing information. In other words, when the first communication device 202 is a router device 104b, it broadcasts the source routing information to all its member devices, i.e., all second communication devices (204a to 204n), being associated members of the router device. 104b. This is illustrated in the example in Figure 2C, where the first communication device 202a, being a router device 104b, broadcasts the source routing information to all member devices of router device 104b, i.e., to all second communication devices (204a to 204n). Alternatively, when the first communication device 202 is a router device 104b, the first communication device 202 can communicate the source routing information to all second communication devices 204a to 204n by broadcasting a control message comprising the source routing information point-to-point via broadcast.

[0061] When the first communication device 202 is a storage device 104a, the first communication device 202 can communicate the source routing information at least once. For example, if Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 50 / 120 34 / 75 If network 102 is a closed network, communicating the source routing information only once may be sufficient, but preferably the source routing information may be communicated by the first communication device 202 more than once. Alternatively, when the first communication device is a storage device 104a, the first communication device 202 may communicate the source routing information periodically, for example, at regular intervals and / or at irregular intervals. According to a non-limiting example, the source routing information may be included in each signaling message broadcast by storage device 104a.When the first communication device 202 is a router device 104b, the first communication device 202 communicates the source routing information in response to receiving the source routing information from a primary device of the first communication device 202.

[0062] In a 320 step, at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) receives the source routing information from the first communication device 202. In the examples in Figures 2A and 2C, all second communication devices (204a to 204n) receive the source routing information from the first communication device 202. In the example in Figure 2B, i.e., in branch-limited dissemination, only the second communication device 204a receives the source routing information from the first communication device 202. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 51 / 120 35 / 75

[0063] In a step 330, in response to receiving the source routing information from the first communication device 202 in step 320, each second communication device (204a to 204n), being a router device 104b, decides, based on the source routing control information comprised in the source routing information, whether to repeat the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n) with the identifier of said second communication device (204a to 204n), defined as the source routing identifier, or with the source routing identifier of the received source routing information.If the aforementioned second communication device (204a to 204n) determines, based on the source routing control information, that the first communication device 202 is not the last router device 104b in this branch of network 102, which participates in the hop-limited downlink source routing, the aforementioned second communication device (204a to 204n) decides to repeat the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n) with the identifier of the aforementioned second communication device (204a to 204n) set as the source routing identifier. Alternatively, if the aforementioned second communication device (204a to 204n) determines, based on the source routing control information, that the first communication device 202 is the last router device 104b in this branch of network 102, which participates in the routing of... Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 52 / 120 36 / 75 originating from a downlink with hop limitation, the aforementioned second communication device (204a to 204n) decides to repeat the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n) with the source routing identifier of the received source routing information.

[0064] The decision in step 330, based on the source routing control information contained in the source routing information, depends on the content of the control information. Figures Figures 3B and 3C schematically illustrate examples of decision-making in step 330. In the examples in Figures 3B and 3C, the decision is made directly based on the source routing control information contained in the received source routing information. However, the decision can also be made based on the source routing control information defined by at least one second communication device (204a to 204n), with router device 104b, based on the source routing control information contained in the received source routing information. In this case, the conditions for decision-making and / or the values ​​for the source routing control information may vary from the conditions and / or values ​​used in the examples in Figures 3B and 3C. Figures 3B and 3C illustrate only non-limiting examples for decision-making in step 330.However, the same decision outcome can be achieved with one or more other decision-making methods. In other words, the decision-making in step 330 of... Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 53 / 120 37 / 75 according to this patent application, is not limited to the example methods in Figures 3B and 3C. According to a non-limiting example of one or more other decision-making methods, the decision may be based on the physical coordinates of the second communication device 202.

[0065] The example in Figure 3B illustrates an example of an increasing hop count decision-making method. In the example in Figure 3B, the source routing control information comprises the source routing hop limit value and the hop count. When the source routing control information comprises the hop count, each communication device receiving the source routing information can determine how many hops away from the storage device 104a that communication device is.

[0066] In step 340, in response to receiving the source routing information from the first communication device 202 in step 320, each second communication device (204a to 204n), being a router device 104b, compares the hop count value of the received source routing information with the source routing hop limit value of the received source routing information. In other words, each second communication device (204a to 204n), being a router device 104b, which receives the source routing information from the first communication device 202, compares the hop count value of the received source routing information. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 54 / 120 38 / 75 with the source routing hop limit value of the received source routing information. In the examples in Figures 2A and 2C, the second communication devices 204a, 204c, and 204n, being router devices 104b, each performs the comparison in response to receiving the source routing information from the first communication device 202. In the example in Figure 2B, that is, in branch-limited dissemination, only the second communication device 204a receives the source routing information from the first communication device 202. Since the second communication device 204a is a router device 104b, it performs the comparison in response to receiving the source routing information from the first communication device 202.

[0067] In a step 350, at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) communicates the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n) with the hop count value increased by one and the ID of said second communication device (204a to 204n) set as the source routing ID, if the hop count value does not meet the source routing hop limit value. The verb "meet" in the context of a predefined limit, for example, the source routing hop limit value, is used in this patent application to mean that a predefined condition is met. For example, the predefined condition may be that the predefined limit is reached and / or exceeded. The information of Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 55 / 120 39 / 75 source routing information communicated by at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) in step 350 additionally includes the source routing hop limit value. The source routing information communicated by at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) may additionally include the storage device ID and / or expiration time data, if the storage device ID and / or expiration time are included in the source routing information received from the first communication device.

[0068] Figure 4A schematically illustrates an example of disseminating source routing information, according to the example decision-making method in Figure 3B. In the example in Figure 4A, the first communication device 202 is a storage device 104a and the second communication device 204a is a router device 104b, for example, as in the examples in Figures 2A and 2B. The first communication device 202 communicates the source routing information, for example, in a signaling message or in a control message, as discussed above, at least to the second communication device 204a. In the example in Figure 4A, the source routing information comprises the source routing ID, and the source routing control information comprises the source routing hop limit value and the hop count value.The source routing hop limit value for source routing information is set to 1.0. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 56 / 120 The 40 / 75 hop count value is set to 0 in the source routing information communicated by the first communication device 202. The storage device ID 104a, i.e., the first communication device, is set as the source routing ID in the source routing information communicated by the first communication device 202. Alternatively, the source routing ID can be left empty in the source routing information communicated by the first communication device 202, which is storage device 104a. The second communication device 204a receives the source routing information from the first communication device 202 and performs the comparison described above in step 340.In the example in Figure 4A, the hop count value of the received source routing information is 0, and the source routing hop limit is 1, meaning that the result of the comparison in step 340 is that the hop count value does not meet the source routing hop limit value. Therefore, the second communication device 204a increases the hop count value by one, i.e., the hop count value is set to 1, and the ID of the second communication device 204a is set as the source routing ID. The second communication device 204a then communicates the received source routing information to its member devices 206a, 206b with the hop count value being 1 and the ID of the second communication device 204a set as the source routing ID. The source routing information communicated by the second... Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 57 / 120 41 / 75 communication device 204a additionally includes the source routing hop limit value.

[0069] Alternatively, if the hop count value meets the source routing hop limit value, at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) communicates in a 360 step the received source routing information, comprising at least the source routing ID of the received source routing information, to its member devices (206a to 206n). This means that the first communication device 202 is the last router device 104b in this branch of network 102, which participates in the hop-limited downlink source routing. The source routing information communicated by at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) in the 360 ​​step may additionally comprise the source routing hop limit value and the hop count value increased by one.Alternatively or in addition, the source routing information communicated by at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) in step 360 may additionally comprise the storage device ID and / or time-of-life data, if the storage device ID and / or time-of-life are included in the source routing information received from the first communication device. In response to receiving the source routing information, also comprising the source routing hop limit value and hop count value, each member device (206a to 206b) being a device. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 58 / 120 Router 104b, 42 / 75, performs the comparison as described above in step 340, and communicates the source routing information to its member devices, according to step 360. Alternatively, in response to receiving the source routing information without the source routing hop limit value and hop count value, each member device (206a to 206n), being a router 104b device, communicates the source routing information comprising the source routing ID of the received source routing information to its member devices.Similarly, if a second communication device (204a to 204n) (or any other communication device) receives the source routing information without the source routing hop limit value and hop count value, the second communication device (204a to 204n) (or any other communication device, respectively) communicates the source routing information comprising the source routing ID of the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n).

[0070] Figure 4B schematically illustrates another example of disseminating source routing information, according to the example decision-making method in Figure 3B. In the example in Figure 4B, the first communication device 202 is a router device 104b, and the second communication device 204a is also a router device 104b, for example, as in the example in Figure 2C. The first communication device 202 communicates the source routing information, for example, in a Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 59 / 120 43 / 75 signaling message, as discussed above, at least for the second communication device 204a. In the example in Figure 4B, the source routing information comprises the source routing ID, and the source routing control information comprises the source routing hop limit value and the hop count value. The source routing hop limit value of the source routing information is set to 2. The hop count value is set to 2 in the source routing information communicated by the first communication device 202. This means that the first communication device 202 received the source routing information from its parent device, i.e., from a router device whose associated member is the first communication device 202.The ID of the first communication device 202 is defined as the source routing ID in the source routing information communicated by the first communication device 202, because the hop count value included in the source information received by the first communication device 202 did not meet the source routing hop limit value included in the source information received by the first communication device 202. The second communication device 204a receives the source routing information from the first communication device 202 and performs the comparison described above in step 340. In the example in Figure 4B, the hop count value of the received source routing information is... Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 60 / 120 44 / 75 and the source routing hop limit is 2, which means that the result of the comparison in step 340 is that the hop count value meets the source routing hop limit value. This, in turn, means that the first communication device 202 is the last device in this branch that participates in the downlink source routing with hop limitation. Thus, the second communication device 204a communicates the received source routing information, comprising at least the source routing ID of the received source routing information, i.e., the ID of the first communication device 202, to its member devices 206a, 206b. The second communication device 204a additionally increases the hop count value by one, i.e., the hop count value is set to 3.The source routing information communicated by the second communication device 204a additionally includes the source routing hop limit value and the hop count value increased by one.

[0071] The example in Figure 3C illustrates an example of a descending source routing hop limit decision-making method. In the example in Figure 3C, the source routing control information comprises the source routing hop limit value.

[0072] In a step 370, in response to receiving the source routing information from the first communication device 202 in step 320, each second communication device (204a to 204n), being Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 61 / 120 45 / 75 a 104b router device evaluates the source routing hop limit value contained in the source routing control information of the received source routing information. The evaluation of the source routing hop limit value may include defining the source routing hop limit value, i.e., whether the source routing hop limit value is greater than zero or not.

[0073] In a 380 step, at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) communicates the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n), with the source routing hop limit value reduced by one and the identifier of said second communication device (204a to 204n) set as the source routing identifier, if the source routing hop limit value included in the received source routing information is greater than zero. The source routing information communicated by at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) may additionally include the storage device ID and / or the validity time data, if the storage device ID and / or the validity time are included in the source routing information received from the first communication device.

[0074] Otherwise, that is, if the source routing hop limit value included in the received source routing information is zero or less, at least one second communication device Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 62 / 120 46 / 75 (204a to 204n) communicates in a 390 step the received source routing information, comprising at least the source routing identifier of the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n). This means that the first communication device 202 is the last router device 104b in this branch of network 102, which participates in the hop-limited downlink source routing. The source routing information communicated by at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) in the 390 step may additionally comprise the source routing hop limit value of the received source routing information. Alternatively, the source routing information communicated by at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) in the 390 step may additionally comprise the source routing hop limit value reduced by one.However, preferably, the source routing hop limit value of the received source routing information being zero is not further reduced to avoid negative source routing hop limit values. Alternatively or in addition, the source routing information communicated by at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) in step 390 may additionally include the storage device ID and / or expiration time data, if the storage device ID and / or expiration time are included in the source routing information received from the first communication device. In response to receiving the... Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 63 / 120 47 / 75 source routing information, including the source routing hop limit value, each member device (206a to 206b), being a router device 104b, evaluates the source routing hop limit value included in the source routing control information of the received source routing information as described above in step 370, and communicates the source routing information to its member devices, in accordance with step 390. Alternatively, in response to receiving source routing information without the source routing hop limit value, each member device (206a to 206n), being a router device 104b, communicates the source routing information including the source routing ID of the received source routing information to its member devices.Similarly, if a second communication device (204a to 204n) (or any other communication device) receives the source routing information without the source routing hop limit value, the second communication device (204a to 204n) (or any other communication device, respectively) communicates the source routing information comprising the source routing ID of the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n).

[0075] Figure 4C schematically illustrates an example of the dissemination of source routing information, according to the example decision-making method in Figure 3C. In the example in Figure 4C, the first Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 64 / 120 48 / 75 communication device 202 is a 104a storage device and the second communication device 204a is a 104b router device, for example, as in the examples in Figures 2A and 2B. The first communication device 202 communicates the source routing information, for example, in a signaling message or in a control message, as discussed above, at least to the second communication device 204a. In the example in Figure 4C, the source routing information comprises the source routing ID and the source routing control information comprises the source routing hop limit value. The source routing hop limit value of the source routing information communicated by the first communication device 202 is set to 2.The ID of the storage device 104a, that is, the first communication device, is defined as the source routing ID in the source routing information communicated by the first communication device 202. Alternatively, the source routing ID can be left empty in the source routing information communicated by the first communication device 202, being the storage device 104a. The second communication device 204a receives the source routing information from the first communication device 202 and evaluates the source routing hop limit value contained in the source routing control information of the received source routing information. In the example in Figure 4C, the source routing hop limit of the information is... Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 65 / 120 The received source routing information (49 / 75) is 2, meaning that the result of the evaluation in step 370 is that the source routing hop limit value is greater than zero. Therefore, the second communication device 204a reduces the source routing hop limit value by one, i.e., the source routing hop limit value is set to 1, and the ID of the second communication device 204a is set as the source routing ID. The second communication device 204a then communicates the received source routing information to its member devices 206a and 206b, with the source routing hop limit value being 1 and the ID of the second communication device 204a set as the source routing ID.

[0076] Figure 4D schematically illustrates another example of disseminating source routing information, according to the example decision-making method in Figure 3C. In the example in Figure 4D, the first communication device 202 is a router device 104b, and the second communication device 204a is also a router device 104b, for example, as in the example in Figure 2C. The first communication device 202 communicates the source routing information, for example, in a signaling message as discussed above, at least to the second communication device 204a. In the example in Figure 4D, the source routing information comprises the source routing ID, and the source routing control information comprises the source routing hop limit value. The hop limit value Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 66 / 120 The 50 / 75 source routing of the source routing information communicated by the first communication device 202 is 0. The ID of the first communication device 202 is defined as the source routing ID in the source routing information communicated by the first communication device 202, because the source routing hop limit value included in the source information received by the first communication device 202 is greater than zero. The second communication device 204a receives the source routing information from the first communication device 202 and evaluates the source routing hop limit value included in the source routing control information of the received source routing information.In the example in Figure 4D, the source routing hop limit of the source routing information received by the second communication device 204a is 0, which means that the result of the evaluation in step 370 is that the value of the source routing hop limit is zero. This, in turn, means that the first communication device 202 is the last device in this branch that participates in the hop-limited downlink source routing. Thus, the second communication device 204a communicates the received source routing information, comprising at least the source routing ID of the received source routing information, i.e., the ID of the first communication device 202, to its member devices 206a, 206b. The source routing information communicated by the second device... Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 67 / 120 51 / 75 communication 204a additionally includes the source routing hop limit value of the received source routing information, i.e., the source routing hop limit value is 0.

[0077] Above, the dissemination of source routing information by the dissemination system 200 is described in two consecutive hops. For example, when the first communication device 202 is the storage device 104a, the communication of source routing information from the first communication device 202 to one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n) is the first hop communication, and the communication of source routing information from each second communication device (204a to 204b) to its member devices (206a to 206n) is the second hop communication, as illustrated, for example, in Figures 2A, 2B, 4A and 4C. According to another example, when the first communication device 202 is a router device. 104b, the communication of source routing information from the first communication device 202 to one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n) is an nth-hop communication, and the communication of source routing information from each second communication device (204a to 204b) to its member devices (206a to 206n) is an (N+1)th-hop communication, as illustrated, for example, in Figures 2C and 4D, where N is at least 2. In the example in Figure 4B, the communication of source routing information from the first communication device 202 to the second device of Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 68 / 120 52 / 75 communication 204a is a 3rd hop communication, and the communication of source routing information from the second communication device 204a to its member devices (206a to 206n) is a 4th hop communication, as illustrated, for example, in Figure 4B. The dissemination of source routing information in two consecutive hops can represent a dissemination phase. Disseminating source routing information in the 102 network can include one or more dissemination phases. Two consecutive dissemination phases overlap.For example, if a first dissemination phase precedes a second dissemination phase, the second communication device (204a to 204n) of the first dissemination phase is the first communication device 202 of the second dissemination phase, which means that the communication of the source routing information by the second communication device (204a to 204n) of the first dissemination phase corresponds to the communication of the source routing information by the first communication device 202 of the second dissemination phase.

[0078] Figure 5A schematically illustrates an example of the dissemination of source routing information in network 102. In the example in Figure 5A, the dissemination of source routing information comprises four dissemination phases: a first hop dissemination phase, a second hop dissemination phase, a third hop dissemination phase, and a fourth hop dissemination phase. Although the dissemination of information Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 69 / 120 53 / 75 of source routing in the example of Figure 5A comprises four dissemination phases, the dissemination of source routing information in network 102, according to this patent application, is not limited to four dissemination phases, and the dissemination of source routing information may include any number of dissemination phases, being at least one. In the example of Figure 5A, the control information of the source routing information comprises the source routing hop limit value and the hop count value, and the decision-making in step 330 is performed according to the increasing hop count decision-making method of example in Figure 3B.However, the dissemination of source routing information in the 102 network, according to this patent application, is not limited, and any other decision-making method can be used, for example, the example of the declining source routing hop limit decision-making method in Figure 3C.

[0079] In the first hop dissemination phase, the storage device 104a is the first communication device 202 of the dissemination system 200, and the member devices (502a to 502n) of storage device 104a are the one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n) of the dissemination system 200. In the example in Figure 5A, the member devices (502a to 502n) of storage device 104a are called first hop member devices. In the first hop dissemination phase, storage device 104a communicates by broadcasting the source routing information with the threshold value. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 70 / 120 54 / 75 of source routing hops set to 2, hop count set to 0, and the device identifier of repository 104a set as the source routing ID for all first-hop member devices (502a to 502n). In response to receiving source routing information from repository device 104a, each first-hop member device 502a, (502c to A device 502n), being a router device 104b, communicates to its member devices (504a to 504n) the source routing information with the hop count increased by one (i.e., the hop count is increased to 1) and the identifier of said first-hop member device 502a, (502c to 502n) defined as the source routing ID. In the example in Figure 5A, the member devices (504a to 504n) of the first-hop member devices (502a to 502n) are called second-hop member devices.

[0080] In the second phase of hop dissemination, each first-hop member device 502a, (502c a 502n), being a 104b router device, is a first communication device of the 200 dissemination system and the second-hop member devices (504a to 504n) of said first-hop member device 502a, (502c to 502n) are second communication devices (204a to 204n) of the dissemination system 200. In the second hop dissemination phase, in response to receiving the originating routing information from the respective first hop member device 502a, (502c to 502n), each second hop member device 504a, (504c to 504n), Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 71 / 120 55 / 75 being a 104b router device, communicates to its member devices (506a to 506n) the source routing information with the hop count increased by one (i.e., the hop count is increased to 2) and the identifier of said second-hop member device 504a, (504c to 504n) defined as the source routing ID. In the example in Figure 5A, the member devices (506a to 506n) of the second-hop member devices (504a to 504n) are called third-hop member devices.

[0081] In the third hop dissemination phase, each second hop member device 504a, (504c to 504n), being a router device 104b, is a first communication device 202 of the dissemination system 200 and the third hop member devices (506a to 506n) of said second hop member device 504a, (504c to 504n) are second communication devices (204a to 204n) of the dissemination system 200. In the third hop dissemination phase, in response to receiving the source routing information from the respective second hop member device 504a, (504c to 504n), each third hop member device 506b, 506c, 506e, being a router device 104b, communicates the source routing information comprising at least the source routing ID of the received source information identifier.This means that the second-hop member devices 504a, (504c to 504n), being router devices 104b, are the last devices in their 102 network branches that participate in routing. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 72 / 120 56 / 75 Hop-limited downlink origin. The devices participating in hop-limited downlink origin routing are illustrated with the dashed area 500. In the example in Figure 5A, the member devices (508a to 508n) of the third-hop member devices (506a to 506n) are called fourth-hop member devices.

[0082] In the fourth hop dissemination phase, each third hop member device 506b, 506c, 506e, being a router device 104b, is a first communication device 202 of the dissemination system 200 and the fourth hop member devices (508a to 508n) of said third hop member device 506b, 506c, 506e are second communication devices (204a to 204n) of the 200 dissemination system. In the fourth hop dissemination phase, the originating routing information reached all devices in the 102 network because all fourth hop member devices (508a to 508n), i.e., all second communication devices, are non-routing devices 104c, which do not have any member devices.

[0083] Figure 5B schematically illustrates another example of the dissemination of source routing information in the 102 network. The example in Figure 5B corresponds to the example in Figure 5A described above, but limited branch dissemination is used in the example in Figure 5B. Dissemination is limited to branches that have first-hop member devices 502a and 502c as member devices of the repository device 104a. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 73 / 120 57 / 75

[0084] Each communication device communicates a registration message to the storage device 104a when said communication device associates with network 102. The registration message may comprise at least the source routing ID contained in the source routing information received by said communication device. The registration message may additionally comprise, for example, a primary device identifier (primary device ID) of said communication device. The primary device ID indicates the primary device to which said communication device is associated. Alternatively, or in addition, the registration message may additionally comprise the storage device ID. The storage device ID contained in the registration message ensures that the registration message is received by the correct storage device.The storage device 104a can store the contents of received log messages, for example, in a part of the memory 1034 of the storage device 104a. Alternatively, or in addition, the storage device 104a can store the contents of received log messages or send the contents of received log messages to be stored in a memory unit, for example, a database, of the management entity of one or more external networks 106. The contents of the log messages can be delivered to the management entity through the gateway device 105. Based on the received log messages, the storage device 104a and / or the management entity form a routing path. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 74 / 120 58 / 75 of origin for each origin routing ID and then lists the communication devices beyond each formed origin routing path. Communicating the registration messages to the 104a repository device allows the 104a repository device and / or the management entity to track the communication devices associated with the 102 wireless mesh network and the location of each communication device on the network. Member devices of the 104a repository device do not necessarily need to communicate the registration message to the 104a repository device because an association message communicated during an association procedure already includes the information contained in the registration message.

[0085] At least one second communication device 204a, among the one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n) of the dissemination system 200, can change its association from the first communication device 202 to a third communication device 702. The third communication device 702 belongs to the plurality of communication devices of the wireless mesh network 102. Each second communication device (204a to 204n) changing its association can communicate a registration message if the existing registration is not valid after the association change. Figure 6 schematically illustrates an example of a communication decision process of the registration message in response to the association change by the dissemination system 200 discussed above. Figure 6 illustrates the decision process as a flowchart. The decision process is mainly explained by the use of the system of Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 75 / 120Dissemination system 200 comprises the first communication device 202, a second communication device 204a, and additionally, the third communication device 702. Dissemination system 200 may additionally comprise at least one other second communication device (204b to 204n), for example, one, two, three, four, or more other second communication devices. Although the decision process is described using dissemination system 200 comprising a second communication device 204a, each second communication device (204a to 204n) of dissemination system 200 may independently perform the steps (i.e., features) of the decision process, as will be explained for a second communication device 204a. In the example in Figure 6, the first communication device 202 is a router device 104b.If a device that is a member of device repository 104a changes its membership to another device, it will not need to send the registration message to said device repository 104a, as it is no longer a member of said device repository 104a.

[0086] In step 610, the second communication device 204a changes its association from the first communication device 202 to the third communication device 702. The change in association from the first communication device 202 to the third communication device 702 means that the first communication device 202 is the primary device of the second communication device 204a before the association change, and the third device is the primary device. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 76 / 120 60 / 75 from the second communication device 204a after the association change. Before the association change, the second communication device 204a received the source routing information from the first communication device 202, as described above, with reference to the dissemination of source routing information. After the association change, the second communication device 204a receives the source routing information from the third communication device 702 in the same way as described above, with reference to the dissemination of source routing information.

[0087] In a step 620, in response to the change in association of the first communication device 202 to the third communication device 702, the second communication device 204a can compare the source routing ID contained in the source routing information received from the third communication device 702 with the source routing ID contained in the source routing information received from the first communication device 202.If the source routing ID contained in the source routing information received from the first communication device 202 matches the source routing ID contained in the source routing information received from the third communication device 702, this means that the first communication device and the third communication device are on the same source routing path, which in turn means that the existing record of... Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 77 / 120 61 / 75 second communication device 204 is valid and there is no need to communicate a new registration message to the storage device 104a. However, if the source routing ID included in the source routing information received from the first communication device 202 differs from the source routing ID included in the source routing information received from the third communication device 702, this means that the first communication device and the third communication device are on different source routing paths of the same type.

[0088] In a step 630, the second communication device 204a sends the registration message to the third communication device 702 to route the registration message to the storage device 104a, if the source routing ID included in the source information received from the third communication device 702 is different from the source routing ID included in the source routing information of the first communication device 202. The registration message includes at least the source routing ID included in the source routing information received from the third communication device 702. The registration message is routed to the storage device 104a using multi-hop communication via one or more routing devices 104b in a multi-hop communication path between the third communication device 702 and the storage device 104a.Figure 7 illustrates an example of the 200 dissemination system, in which... Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 78 / 120 62 / 75 The second communication device 204a changes its association from the first communication device 202 to the third communication device 702. The second communication device 204a received the source routing information from the first communication device before changing its association, as discussed above, with reference to the dissemination of source routing information. The second communication device 204a receives the source routing information from the third communication device 702 after changing its association in the same way as described above, with reference to the dissemination of source routing information. In the example in Figure 7, the source routing ID contained in the source information received from the first communication device 202 differs from the source routing ID contained in the source routing information of the third communication device 702.Therefore, the second communication device 204a sends the registration message (RM) to the third communication device 702 to route the registration message to the storage device 104a. In the example in Figure 7, the registration message is routed to storage device 104a using multi-hop communication via a router device 104b, but the multi-hop communication path between the third communication device 702 and storage device 104a may also comprise more than one router device 104b. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 79 / 120 63 / 75

[0089] Alternatively, if the source routing ID contained in the source information received from the first communication device 202 matches the source routing ID contained in the source routing information from the third communication device 702, the second communication device 204a can set in a step 640 that the existing record is valid. If the existing record is set to valid, the second communication device 204a will not send a registration message to the storage device 104a. Because registration messages are sent by the communication devices to the storage device 104a only when the existing record is not valid, the number of registration messages received by the storage device 104a is reduced. This means that the communication of unnecessary registration messages (i.e., registration messages communicated when the existing record is still valid) can be avoided.

[0090] Alternatively or in addition, if the routing information includes time-of-use data, each second communication device (204a to 204n) may send a registration message to the first communication device 202 to route the registration message to the storage device 104a, according to the time-of-use data, although the second communication device (204a to 204n) does not change its association. The registration message includes at least the source routing ID included in the source routing information received from the first device. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 80 / 120 64 / 75 communication 202. For example, the validity time data may indicate that the registration is valid for a certain time, for example, for 12 hours or for 24 hours, and each second communication device (204a to 204n) may send the registration message to the first communication device 202 to route the registration message to the storage device 104a after the expiration of a certain time. Alternatively, the validity time data may indicate that the registration must be performed once within a certain period of time, for example, once a day, and each second communication device (204a to 204n) may send the registration message to the first communication device 202 to route the registration message to the storage device 104a once within a certain period of time.

[0091] After disseminating the source routing information to network 102, downlink data packets can be routed from the storage device 104a to one or more destination devices 902 on network 102 using hop-limited downlink source routing. Figure 8 schematically illustrates an example of a downlink data packet routing process through the dissemination system 200, using hop-limited downlink source routing. Figure 8 illustrates the routing process as a flowchart.

[0092] In a step 810, the second communication device 204a receives, from the first communication device 202, a downlink data packet Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 81 / 120 65 / 75 comprising the destination device ID and the source routing path data. As discussed above, the source routing path data represents the communication path from the source device, i.e., the device transmitting the downlink data packet (e.g., device depot 104a), to the last device participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing. The source routing path data may, for example, comprise the IDs of the devices participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing.

[0093] In a step 820, in response to receiving the downlink data packet from the first communication device 202, the second communication device 204a can determine whether the source routing path data includes an identifier of a member device 206a of the second communication device 204a, that is, a member device identifier (member device ID) of the second communication device 204a. When the ID of a member device (206a to 206n) of the second communication device 204a is included in the hop path data, this means that said member device 206a participates in hop-limited downlink source routing.

[0094] In step 830, if the source routing path data includes in step 820 the ID of a member device 206a of the second device of Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 82 / 120 66 / 75 communication 202, the second communication device 204a transmits the downlink data packet to the aforementioned member device 206a via point-to-point broadcast. Since the source routing path data indicates that only the aforementioned member device 206a of the second communication device 204a participates in the hop-limited downlink source routing, there is no need to communicate the downlink data packet to the other member devices (206b to 206n) of the second communication device 204b.

[0095] Alternatively or in addition, in a step 840, in response to receiving the downlink data packet from the first communication device 202, the second communication device 204a can determine if the destination device ID included in the downlink data packet matches a member device ID 206a of the second communication device 204a, i.e., a member device ID of the second communication device 204a. When the destination device ID matches the member device ID 206a of the second communication device 204a, it means that said member device 206a of the second communication device 204a is the destination device 902.

[0096] In step 850, if the destination device ID matches the ID of member device 206a of the second communication device 204a in step 840, the second communication device 204a transmits via point broadcast. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 83 / 120 67 / 75 to the point the downlink data packet to the aforementioned member device 206a.

[0097] Otherwise, the second communication device 204a sends, for example, transmits by point-to-point broadcast, in a step 860, the downlink data packet to all its member router devices to route the downlink data packet to the destination device 902. The downlink data packet can be routed to the destination device 902 using at least one other routing solution. The at least one other routing solution may comprise one or more known routing solutions, for example, a routing table-based routing solution and / or a downlink flooding-based routing solution.

[0098] Above, the downlink data packet routing through the dissemination system 200 is described in two consecutive hops. For example, when the first communication device 202 is the storage device 104a, the downlink data packet from the first communication device 202 to the second communication device 204a is the first-hop communication, and the downlink data packet communication from the second communication device 204 to its member device(s) is the second-hop communication. According to another example, when the first communication device 202 is a router device 104b, the downlink data packet communication from the first communication device 202 to the Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 84 / 120 68 / 75 second communication device 204a is an Nth hop communication, and the downlink data packet communication from the second communication device 204a to its member device(s) is the (N+1)th hop communication. Routing the downlink data packet in two consecutive hops can represent one routing phase. To route the downlink data packet from the source device to the destination device, the 902 can comprise one or more routing phases. Two consecutive routing phases overlap.For example, if a first routing phase precedes a second routing phase, the second communication device 204 of the first routing phase is the first communication device 202 of the second routing phase, which means that the downlink data packet communication by the second communication device 204a of the first routing phase corresponds to the downlink data packet communication by the first communication device 202 of the second routing phase.

[0099] Figure 9 schematically illustrates an example of routing a downlink data packet (DP) from a storage device 104a to a destination device 902 using hop-limited downlink source routing. The downlink data packet comprises the destination device ID and the source routing path data. In the example in Figure 9, the communication path from storage device 104a to the Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 85 / 120 The last device participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing comprises the storage device 104a, the first-hop member device 502a, and the second-hop member device 504a. Thus, the source routing path data in the example in Figure 9 comprises the ID of storage device 104a, the ID of the first-hop member device 502a, and the ID of the second-hop member device 504a. Therefore, in the example in Figure 9, hop-limited downlink source routing is used until the downlink data packet is routed to the second-hop member device 504a, and after that, the downlink data packet is routed using the downlink flooding-based routing solution.In the example in Figure 9, the downlink data packet routing comprises four routing phases: a first-hop routing phase, a second-hop routing phase, a third-hop routing phase, and a fourth-hop routing phase. Although the downlink data packet routing in the example in Figure 9 comprises four routing phases, the downlink data packet routing using hop-limited downlink source routing, according to this patent application, is not limited to four routing phases, and the downlink data packet routing may comprise any other number of routing phases, provided it is at least one. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 86 / 120 70 / 75

[0100] In the first-hop routing phase, the storage device 104a is the first communication device 202 of the dissemination system 200, and the first-hop member device 502a is the second communication device 204a of the dissemination system 200. In the first-hop routing phase, the storage device 104a performs point-to-point broadcast transmission of the downlink data packet to the first-hop member device 502a. In response to receiving the downlink data packet from the storage device 104a, the first-hop member device 502a performs point-to-point broadcast transmission of the downlink data packet to the second-hop member device 504a, because the source routing path data includes the ID of the second-hop member device 904a.

[0101] In the second-hop routing phase, the first-hop member device 502a is the first communication device 202 of the dissemination system 200, and the second-hop member device 504a is the second communication device of the dissemination system 200. In the second-hop routing phase, the second-hop member device 504a receives the downlink data packet from the first-hop member device 502a. In response to receiving the downlink data packet from the first-hop member device 502a, the second-hop member device 504a sends the downlink data packet to all its member router devices 506a, 506b to flood the downlink data packet so that it reaches Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 87 / 120 71 / 75 the destination device 902, because the source routing path data does not include a member device ID 506a, 506b of the second hop member device 504a, and the destination device ID included in the downlink data packet does not match a member device ID 506a, 506b of the second hop member device 504a.

[0102] In the third-hop routing phase and in the fourth-hop routing phase, the downlink data packet is flooded so that the downlink data packet reaches the destination device 902.

[0103] Figure 10 schematically illustrates a communication device (104a to 104c), 202, (204a to 204n), (206a to 206n) that is capable of communicating on the network 102 and performing the relevant features (steps) of the dissemination method as explained above. In other words, it has been explained that the device is capable of functioning as the first communication device 202 and performing the dissemination method features relevant to the first communication device 202, as explained above, and / or as the second communication device (204a to 204n) and performing the dissemination method features relevant to the second communication device (204a to 204n), as explained above, and / or as the member device (206a to 206n) and performing the dissemination method features relevant to the member device (206a to 206n) as explained above.

[0104] The device (104a to 104n), 202, (204a to 204n), (206a to 206n) comprises the controller (part of Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 88 / 120 72 / 75 control) 1030 that controls the operations of its parts 1032, 1034, 1036, 1038, 1040 so that the device (104a to 104n), 202, (204a to 204n), (206a to 206n) operate as explained above.

[0105] The 1030 controller comprises a 1032 processor (part of the processor) that executes instructions initiated by the operator and / or by a computer program, and processes data to run applications. The 1032 processor may comprise at least one processor, for example, one, two, three, four or more processors.

[0106] The 1030 controller also includes 1034 memory (part of the memory) for storing and maintaining data. The data can be instructions, computer programs, and data files. The 1034 memory includes at least one memory, for example, one, two, three, four, or more memories.

[0107] The device (104a to 104n), 202, (204a to 204n), (206a to 206n) also comprises radio communicator (radio communication part, data transfer device) 1036 and an antenna (antenna part) 1038 which controller 1030 uses to send commands, requests, messages (e.g., request messages) and data (e.g., source routing information and / or downlink data packets, etc.) to at least one of the devices in the dissemination system 200 and / or network 102 via antenna 1038. Radio communicator 1036 also receives commands, requests and data (e.g., source routing information and / or data packets, etc.) from at least one of the devices in the dissemination system 200 Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 89 / 120 73 / 75 and / or on network 102 via antenna 1038. Communication between radio communicator 1036 of device (104a to 104n), 202, (204a to 204n), (206a to 206n) and another device on dissemination system 200 and / or on network 102 is provided via wireless antenna 1038.

[0108] The device (104a to 104n), 202, (204a to 204n), (206a to 206n) may additionally comprise a power provider (part of the power supply) 1040. The power provider 1040 comprises components for powering the device (104a to 104n), 202, (204a to 204n), (206a to 206n), for example, a battery and a regulator.

[0109] Memory 1034 stores at least one radio communication application (radio communication (RC)) 1042 to operate (control) the radio communicator. 1036 and a power supply (PS) application 1044 to operate the power provider 1040.

[0110] Memory 1034 also stores a computer program (CP), (i.e., computer software, a computer application) 1046, which uses at least one of the parts 1036, 1038, 1040 to perform at least the operations of the device (104a to 104n), 202, (204a to 204n), (206a to 206n) explained above, when it is executed (run) on a computer, for example, on the device (104a to 104n), 202, (204a to 204n), (206a to 206n), through controller 1030.

[0111] Computer program 1046 can be stored on a tangible, non-volatile, computer-readable storage medium, for example, a device of Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, pages 90 / 120 74 / 75 Compact Disc (CD) or Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage.

[0112] The 200 dissemination system and dissemination method, as described above, allow for load balancing between the source routing-based routing solution and at least one other routing solution in downlink data packet routing on the 102 network. At least some aspects of the 200 dissemination system and dissemination method described above allow the number of registration messages to be reduced by limiting the number of hops in downlink source routing using source routing only up to a chosen number of hops, and / or by applying downlink source routing with hop limitation gradually to different branches of the 102 network.Alternatively or in addition, at least some aspects of the dissemination system 200 and the dissemination method, as described above, allow control over the number of IDs included in the source routing path data comprised in each downlink data packet and, therefore, the overhead introduced in the downlink data packet can also be controlled. Alternatively or in addition, at least some aspects of the dissemination system 200 and the dissemination method, as described above, allow control over the fact that the storage device 104a receives registration messages from the same depth from different branches of the network 102. Alternatively or in addition, at least some aspects of the system... Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 91 / 120 75 / 75 dissemination 200 and the dissemination method, as described above, allow avoiding significant memory consumption of the 104b router devices near the 104a repository device (i.e., the 104b router devices participating in hop-limited downlink source routing), as there is no need to maintain routing tables, while the amount of downlink flooding can also be limited.

[0113] The specific examples given in the description above should not be interpreted as limiting the applicability and / or interpretation of the appended claims. The lists and groups of examples given in the description above are not exhaustive, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 92 / 120

Claims

1 / 11 CLAIMS 1. Dissemination system (200) for a wireless mesh network (102) characterized in that it comprises a plurality of communication devices (104a to 104c), wherein the system (200) comprises: a first communication device (202), and one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n) being associated members of the first communication device (202), wherein the first communication device (202) and the one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n) belong to the plurality of communication devices (104a to 104c) of the wireless mesh network (102);wherein the first communication device (202) is configured to communicate source routing information to at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) from among one or more second communication devices (204a to 204n) to disseminate at least one functionality of a hop-limited downlink source routing, wherein the source routing information comprises source routing control information and a source routing identifier indicating the most recent hop router device (104b) participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing;and wherein, in response to receiving the source routing information from the first communication device (202), each second communication device (204a to 204n), being a router device (104b), is configured to decide, based on the source routing control information, whether to repeat the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n) with the identifier of said second communication device (204a to 204n) defined as the source routing identifier, or with the source routing identifier of the received source routing information.

2. System (200), according to claim 1, characterized in that the first communication device (202) is a storage device (104a) configured to communicate the source routing information by means of: broadcasting a signaling message comprising the source routing information to all second communication devices (204a to 204n), or point-to-point broadcasting of a control message comprising the source routing information to at least one second communication device (204a) among one or more second communication devices (204 to 204n).

3. System (200), according to claim 1, characterized in that the first communication device (202) is a router device (104b) configured to communicate source routing information to at least one second communication device (204a to 204n) by means of broadcasting a signaling message comprising the source routing information or by means of point-to-point broadcasting of a control message comprising the source routing information. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 94 / 120 3 / 11 4. System (200), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the source routing control information comprises a source routing hop limit value representing the number of hops that the hop-limited downlink source routing spans and a hop count value, and wherein, in response to receiving source routing information from the first communication device (202), each second communication device (204a to 204n), being a router device (104b), is configured to: compare the hop count value of the received source routing information with the source routing hop limit value of the received source routing information, and communicate the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n),with the hop count value increased by one and the identifier of said second communication device (204a to 204n) defined as the source routing identifier, if the hop count value does not reach the source routing hop limit value, or communicate the received source routing information, comprising at least the source routing identifier of the received source routing information, to its member devices (206a to 206n), if the hop count value reaches the source routing hop limit value.

5. System (200), according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page. 95 / 120 4 / 11 source routing control information of the source routing information comprises a source routing hop limit value that represents the number of hops that the hop-limited downlink source routing spans, and wherein, in response to receiving source routing information from the first communication device (202), each second communication device (204a to 204n), being a router device (104b), is configured to: communicate the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n) with the source routing hop limit value reduced by one and the identifier of said second communication device (204a to 204n) defined as the source routing identifier,If the source routing hop limit value of the received source routing information is greater than zero, or otherwise communicate the received source routing information, including at least the source routing identifier of the received source routing information, to its member devices (206a to 206n).

6. System (200), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when each second communication device (204a to 204n) changes its association from the first communication device (202) to a third communication device (702) belonging to the plurality of communication devices (104a to 104n) of the wireless mesh network (102), Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 96 / 120 5 / 11, said second communication device (204a to 204n) is configured to: compare the source routing identifier comprised in the source routing information received from the third communication device (702) with the source routing identifier comprised in the source routing information received from the first communication device (202);and send a registration message to the third communication device (702) for routing the registration message to a storage device (104a), if the source routing identifier included in the source information received from the first communication device (202) is different from the source routing identifier included in the source routing information of the third communication device (702); or set the existing registration valid, if the source routing identifier included in the source information received from the first communication device (202) matches the source routing identifier included in the source routing information of the third communication device (702).

7. System (200), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the source routing information additionally comprises validity time data, and wherein each second communication device (204a to 204n) is configured to send a registration message to the first communication device (202) to route the registration message to a storage device (104a), according to the validity time data.

8. System (200), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in response to receiving a downlink data packet comprising source routing path data and an identifier of a destination device (902) of the downlink data packet, from the first communication device (202), each second communication device (204a to 204n) is configured to: if the source routing path data comprises an identifier of a member device (206a to 206n) of the second communication device (204a to 204n), transmit by point-to-point broadcast the downlink data packet to said member device (206a to 206n);or if the destination device identifier (902) matches an identifier of a member device (206a to 206n) of the second communication device (204a to 204n), transmit the downlink data packet to said member device (206a to 206n) via point-to-point broadcast; or otherwise, send the downlink data packet to all its member router devices for routing the downlink data packet to the destination device (902).

9. System (200), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 98 / 120 7 / 11 first communication device (202) is configured to communicate the source routing information periodically.

10. Dissemination method for a wireless mesh network (102), characterized in that the method comprises at least the following steps: communicating (310), by a first communication device (202), source routing information to at least a second communication device (204a to 204n), being an associated member of the first communication device (202), to disseminate at least one functionality of a hop-limited downlink source routing, wherein the source routing information comprises source routing control information and a source routing identifier indicating the most recent hop router device (104b) participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing;and in response to receiving (320) the source routing information from the first communication device (202), decide (330), for each second communication device (204a to 204n), based on the source routing control information, whether to repeat the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n) with the identifier of said second communication device (204a to 204n) defined as the source routing identifier, or with the source routing identifier of the received source routing information. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, p. 99 / 120 8 / 11; 11. Communication device (202) for a wireless mesh network (102), characterized in that the communication device (202) comprises: a controller (1030) and a radio communicator (1036) to operate as a radio node device, wherein the communication device (202) is configured to: communicate, via the radio communicator (1036), source routing information to at least one second communication device (204a to 204n), being an associated member of the communication device (202), to disseminate at least one functionality of a hop-limited downlink source routing, wherein the source routing information comprises source routing control information and a source routing identifier indicating the most recent hop router device (104b) participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing.

12. Dissemination method for the communication device (202), as defined in claim 11, characterized in that the method comprises at least one step of: communicating (310), by means of a radio communicator (1036) of the communication device (202), source routing information to at least one second communication device (204a to 204n), being an associated member of the communication device (202), to disseminate at least one functionality of a hop-limited downlink source routing, wherein the source routing information comprises source routing control information and a source routing identifier indicating the most recent hop router device (104b) participating in the hop-limited downlink source routing.

13. Communication device (204a to 204n) for a wireless mesh network (102), characterized in that the communication device (204a to 204n) comprises: a controller (1030) and a radio communicator (1036) to operate as a radio node device, wherein the communication device (204a to 204n) is configured to: receive, via the radio communicator (1036), source routing information from a first communication device (202), of which the communication device (204a to 204n) is an associated member, wherein the source routing information comprises source routing control information and a source routing identifier indicating the most recent hop router device (104b) participating in hop-limited downlink source routing;and decide, through the controller (1030), based on the source routing control information, whether to repeat, through the radio communicator (1036), the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n) with the identifier of said communication device (204a to 204n) defined as the source routing identifier, or with the Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, page 101 / 120 10 / 11 source routing identifier of the received source routing information.; 14. Dissemination method for the communication device (204a to 204n), as defined in claim 13, characterized in that the method comprises at least the following steps: receiving (320), by means of a radio communicator (1036) of the communication device (204a to 204n), source routing information from a first communication device (202), of which the communication device (204a to 204n) is an associated member, wherein the source routing information comprises source routing control information and a source routing identifier indicating the most recent hop router device (104b) participating in hop-limited downlink source routing;and decide (330), by means of a controller (1030) of the communication device (204a to 204n), based on the source routing control information, whether to repeat, by means of the radio communicator (1036) of the communication device (204a to 204n), the received source routing information to its member devices (206a to 206n) with the identifier of said communication device (204a to 204n) defined as the source routing identifier or with the source routing identifier of the received source routing information.; 15. Computer program (1046) comprising instructions, characterized in that when the computer program (1046) is executed by a computer, it causes the computer to perform at least the steps of the method, as defined in claims 12 or 14.

16. A computer-readable, tangible, non-volatile medium, characterized in that it comprises the computer program (1046), as defined in claim 15. Petition 870250080770, dated 09 / 09 / 2025, pp. 103 / 120

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