Routing multimedia packets in a frequency-hop packet radio network

A new method is described for routing multimedia traffic in a frequency-hop (FH) store-and-forward packet radio network. The method is illustrated for traffic of two types, each type having its own throughput, delay, and error-rate requirements. A typical application is the routing of voice and data packets in a multi-hop network. In such an application, the voice packets cannot tolerate much delay, but they are allowed to contain a small number of errors, while the data packets must be delivered error-free even if a moderate delay is required to do so. The routing protocol presented in the paper takes into account the type of service required for each type of traffic. In addition, the routing protocol adapts to the interference as seen by the FH radios in the network. The approach is based on least-resistance routing with different link and path resistance metrics for different message types. The link resistance metrics reflect the ability of a radio to receive a packet on the link and the ability of the link to accommodate the service required by the type of packet that is being transmitted. The route chosen for a particular type of packet depends on the ability of the radios along the route to receive and forward the packet within the constraints imposed by its service requirements.