Method for forwarding in peer-to-peer wireless communications

Abstract

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for forwarding of data in peer-to-peer transactions by a high-capability wireless device, such as an access point.

1 . A method for wireless communications by a source apparatus, comprising:
 exchanging messages with an apparatus capable of forwarding data to a destination apparatus;   determining, based on the exchange of messages, whether to send data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus; and   transmitting data to the destination apparatus based on the determination.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the exchange comprises exchanging one or more messages indicating at least one channel condition; and   the determination comprises determining, based on the at least one channel condition, whether it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one channel condition comprises at least one of: channel condition of a link between the source apparatus and the forwarding apparatus or channel condition of a link between the forwarding apparatus and the destination apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 deciding, prior to the transmission based on the determination, to transmit the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus; and   transmitting an announcement message about the decision to the forwarding apparatus.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the announcement message is embedded in the data. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission comprises:
 transmitting the data to the forwarding apparatus, the data comprising an address of the destination apparatus, said address indicates that the data should be forwarded to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the exchange comprises exchanging one or more messages indicating directional capability of the forwarding apparatus and directional capability of the source apparatus; and   the determination comprises determining, based on the directional capability of the forwarding apparatus and the directional capability of the source apparatus, whether it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the exchange comprises exchanging one or more messages indicating a transmission power of the forwarding apparatus and a transmission power of the source apparatus; and   the determination comprises determining, based on the transmission power of the forwarding apparatus and the transmission power of the source apparatus, whether it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the exchange comprises exchanging one or more messages indicating one or more beamforming gains of the forwarding apparatus and one or more beamforming gains of the source apparatus; and   the determination comprises determining, based on the one or more beamforming gains of the forwarding apparatus and the one or more beamforming gains of the source apparatus, whether it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the exchange comprises:
 transmitting a request message to the forwarding apparatus; and   receiving, from the forwarding apparatus, a response message indicating whether the data should be sent directly to the destination apparatus or forwarded to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the data is transmitted to the forwarding apparatus to be forwarded to the destination apparatus before transmitting another portion of the data to the forwarding apparatus, and the method further comprising:
 receiving an acknowledgement from the forwarding apparatus that the portion of the data is successfully received at the forwarding apparatus, wherein the portion of the data is not yet forwarded from the forwarding apparatus to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving, from the forwarding apparatus, an acknowledgement that the portion of the data was successfully received at the destination apparatus, wherein the destination apparatus sent the acknowledgment to the forwarding apparatus.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:
 a transceiver configured to exchange messages with an apparatus capable of forwarding data to a destination apparatus; and   a processor configured to determine, based on the exchange of messages, whether to send data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus, wherein the transceiver is also configured to transmit data to the destination apparatus based on the determination.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the transceiver is also configured to exchange one or more messages indicating at least one channel condition; and   the processor is also configured to determine, based on the at least one channel condition, whether it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one channel condition comprises at least one of: channel condition of a link between the apparatus and the forwarding apparatus or channel condition of a link between the forwarding apparatus and the destination apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the processor is also configured to decide, prior to the transmission based on the determination, to transmit the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus, and wherein   the transceiver is also configured to transmit an announcement message about the decision to the forwarding apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the announcement message is embedded in the data. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the transceiver is also configured to transmit the data to the forwarding apparatus, the data comprising an address of the destination apparatus, said address indicates that the data should be forwarded to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the transceiver is also configured to exchange one or more messages indicating directional capability of the forwarding apparatus and directional capability of the apparatus; and   the processor is also configured to determine, based on the directional capability of the forwarding apparatus and the directional capability of the apparatus, whether it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the transceiver is also configured to exchange one or more messages indicating a transmission power of the forwarding apparatus and a transmission power of the apparatus; and   the processor is also configured to determine, based on the transmission power of the forwarding apparatus and the transmission power of the apparatus, whether it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the transceiver is also configured to exchange one or more messages indicating one or more beamforming gains of the forwarding apparatus and one or more beamforming gains of the apparatus; and   the processor is also configured to determine, based on the one or more beamforming gains of the forwarding apparatus and the one or more beamforming gains of the apparatus, whether it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the transceiver is also configured to:
 transmit a request message to the forwarding apparatus, and receive, from the forwarding apparatus, a response message indicating whether the data should be sent directly to the destination apparatus or forwarded to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein a portion of the data is transmitted to the forwarding apparatus to be forwarded to the destination apparatus before transmitting another portion of the data to the forwarding apparatus, and wherein the transceiver is also configured to:
 receive an acknowledgement from the forwarding apparatus that the portion of the data is successfully received at the forwarding apparatus, wherein the portion of the data is not yet forwarded from the forwarding apparatus to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the transceiver is also configured to:
 receive, from the forwarding apparatus, an acknowledgement that the portion of the data was successfully received at the destination apparatus, wherein the destination apparatus sent the acknowledgment to the forwarding apparatus.   
     
     
         25 . An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:
 means for exchanging messages with an apparatus capable of forwarding data to a destination apparatus;   means for determining, based on the exchange of messages, whether to send data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus; and   means for transmitting data to the destination apparatus based on the determination.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the means for exchanging comprises means for exchanging one or more messages indicating at least one channel condition; and   the means for determining comprises means for determining, based on the at least one channel condition, whether it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one channel condition comprises at least one of: channel condition of a link between the apparatus and the forwarding apparatus or channel condition of a link between the forwarding apparatus and the destination apparatus. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 means for deciding, prior to the transmission based on the determination, to transmit the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus, wherein   the means for transmitting is further configured to transmit an announcement message about the decision to the forwarding apparatus.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the announcement message is embedded in the data. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the means for transmitting is further configured to transmit the data to the forwarding apparatus, the data comprising an address of the destination apparatus, said address indicates that the data should be forwarded to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the means for exchanging comprises means for exchanging one or more messages indicating directional capability of the forwarding apparatus and directional capability of the apparatus; and   the means for determining comprises means for determining, based on the directional capability of the forwarding apparatus and the directional capability of the apparatus, whether it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the means for exchanging comprises means for exchanging one or more messages indicating a transmission power of the forwarding apparatus and a transmission power of the apparatus; and   the means for determining comprises means for determining, based on the transmission power of the forwarding apparatus and the transmission power of the apparatus, whether it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the means for exchanging comprises means for exchanging one or more messages indicating one or more beamforming gains of the forwarding apparatus and one or more beamforming gains of the apparatus; and   the means for determining comprises means for determining, based on the one or more beamforming gains of the forwarding apparatus and the one or more beamforming gains of the apparatus, whether it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the means for exchanging comprises:
 means for transmitting a request message to the forwarding apparatus; and   means for receiving, from the forwarding apparatus, a response message indicating whether the data should be sent directly to the destination apparatus or forwarded to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus.   
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein a portion of the data is transmitted to the forwarding apparatus to be forwarded to the destination apparatus before transmitting another portion of the data to the forwarding apparatus, and the apparatus further comprises:
 means for receiving an acknowledgement from the forwarding apparatus that the portion of the data is successfully received at the forwarding apparatus, wherein the portion of the data is not yet forwarded from the forwarding apparatus to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the means for receiving is further configured to receive, from the forwarding apparatus, an acknowledgement that the portion of the data was successfully received at the destination apparatus, wherein the destination apparatus sent the acknowledgment to the forwarding apparatus.   
     
     
         37 . A computer-program product for wireless communications by a source apparatus, comprising a computer-readable medium comprising instructions executable to:
 exchange messages with an apparatus capable of forwarding data to a destination apparatus;   determine, based on the exchange of messages, whether to send data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus or to send the data directly to the destination apparatus; and   transmit data to the destination apparatus based on the determination.   
     
     
         38 . A wireless node, comprising:
 at least one antenna;   a transceiver configured to exchange messages, via the at least one antenna, with another wireless node capable of forwarding data to a destination wireless node; and   a processor configured to determine, based on the exchange of messages, whether to send data to the destination wireless node via the forwarding wireless node or to send the data directly to the destination wireless node, wherein   the transceiver is also configured to transmit data via the at least one antenna to the destination wireless node based on the determination.   
     
     
         39 . A method for wireless communications by a forwarding apparatus, comprising:
 receiving, from a source apparatus, a request message to send data to a destination apparatus;   in response to the request message, determining whether it is preferable to send the data from the source apparatus directly to the destination apparatus or to send the data from the source apparatus to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus; and   transmitting a confirmation message to the source apparatus and to the destination apparatus, said confirmation message indicating that it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 receiving the data from the source apparatus; and   forwarding the received data to the destination apparatus, and   wherein the reception and the forwarding are performed simultaneously.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 receiving the data from the source apparatus; and   forwarding the received data to the destination apparatus, and   wherein all the data are received and buffered at the forwarding apparatus before being forwarded to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 assigning, to the source apparatus, channel times for transmitting the data from the source apparatus to the forwarding apparatus; and   assigning, to the destination apparatus, other channel times for receiving the data at the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 assigning, to the source apparatus, frequency bands for transmitting the data from the source apparatus to the forwarding apparatus; and   assigning, to the destination apparatus, other frequency bands for receiving the data at the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 assigning, to the source apparatus, a first set of spatial channels for transmitting the data from the source apparatus to the forwarding apparatus; and   assigning, to the destination apparatus, a second set of spatial channels for receiving the data at the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein a portion of the data is received from the source apparatus and forwarded to the destination apparatus before receiving another portion of the data from the source apparatus. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising:
 transmitting, to the source apparatus before forwarding the portion of the data, an acknowledgement message to acknowledge the reception of the portion of the data;   and receiving, from the destination apparatus, another acknowledgement message indicating reception of the portion of the data at the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the determination comprises:
 determining a first link quality based on channel condition of a link between the source apparatus and the forwarding apparatus;   determining a second link quality based on channel condition of a link between the forwarding apparatus and the destination apparatus;   determining a third link quality based on channel condition of a direct link between the source apparatus and the destination apparatus; and   comparing at least one of the determined first, second or third link qualities with a defined level of link quality required for successful transmission of the data using a selected modulation-coding scheme.   
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the channel condition comprises a signal-to-noise ratio. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 receiving the data from the source apparatus;   decoding a portion of the received data;   re-encoding the decoded portion of the data; and   forwarding the re-encoded portion of the data together with a rest of the received data that was not decoded.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the decoded portion of the data comprises a header, and wherein the re-encoding comprises:
 modifying the decoded portion of the data.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 transmitting, to the source apparatus, information about at least one channel condition,   wherein the at least one channel condition comprises at least one of: channel condition of a link between the source apparatus and the forwarding apparatus or channel condition of a link between the forwarding apparatus and the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 receiving, from the source apparatus, the data comprising an announcement message, said announcement message indicates that the source apparatus decided to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 receiving the data from the source apparatus, the data comprising an address of the destination apparatus; and   determining, based on the address, that the received data should be forwarded to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         54 . An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:
 a receiver configured to receive, from a source apparatus, a request message to send data to a destination apparatus;   a processor configured to determine, in response to the request message, whether it is preferable to send the data from the source apparatus directly to the destination apparatus or to send the data from the source apparatus to the destination apparatus via the apparatus; and   a transmitter configured to transmit a confirmation message to the source apparatus and to the destination apparatus, said confirmation message indicating that it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the apparatus.   
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein:
 the receiver is also configured to receive the data from the source apparatus; and   the transmitter is also configured to forward the received data to the destination apparatus, and   wherein the reception and the forwarding are performed simultaneously.   
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein:
 the receiver is also configured to receive the data from the source apparatus; and   the transmitter is also configured to forward the received data to the destination apparatus, and   wherein all the data are received and buffered at the apparatus before being forwarded to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , further comprising:
 a circuit configured to assign, to the source apparatus, channel times for transmitting the data from the source apparatus to the apparatus, wherein   the circuit is also configured to assign, to the destination apparatus, other channel times for receiving the data at the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , further comprising:
 a circuit configured to assign, to the source apparatus, frequency bands for transmitting the data from the source apparatus to the apparatus, wherein   the circuit is also configured to assign, to the destination apparatus, other frequency bands for receiving the data at the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , further comprising:
 a circuit configured to assign, to the source apparatus, a first set of spatial channels for transmitting the data from the source apparatus to the apparatus, wherein   the circuit is also configured to assign, to the destination apparatus, a second set of spatial channels for receiving the data at the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein a portion of the data is received from the source apparatus and forwarded to the destination apparatus before receiving another portion of the data from the source apparatus. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein:
 the transmitter is also configured to transmit, to the source apparatus before forwarding the portion of the data, an acknowledgement message to acknowledge the reception of the portion of the data; and   the receiver is also configured to receive, from the destination apparatus, another acknowledgement message indicating reception of the portion of the data at the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein the processor is also configured to:
 determine a first link quality based on channel condition of a link between the source apparatus and the apparatus;   determine a second link quality based on channel condition of a link between the apparatus and the destination apparatus;   determine a third link quality based on channel condition of a direct link between the source apparatus and the destination apparatus; and   compare at least one of the determined first, second or third link qualities with a defined level of link quality required for successful transmission of the data using a selected modulation-coding scheme.   
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the channel condition comprises a signal-to-noise ratio. 
     
     
         64 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein the receiver is also configured to receive the data from the source apparatus, and the apparatus further comprising:
 a decoder configured to decode a portion of the received data; and   an encoder configured to re-encode the decoded portion of the data, and wherein   the transmitter is also configured to forward the re-encoded portion of the data together with a rest of the received data that was not decoded.   
     
     
         65 . The apparatus of  claim 64 , wherein the decoded portion of the data comprises a header, and wherein the encoder is also configured to modify the decoded portion of the data. 
     
     
         66 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein:
 the transmitter is also configured to transmit, to the source apparatus, information about at least one channel condition, and   wherein the at least one channel condition comprises at least one of: channel condition of a link between the source apparatus and the apparatus or channel condition of a link between the apparatus and the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         67 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein:
 the receiver is also configured to receive, from the source apparatus, the data comprising an announcement message, said announcement message indicates that the source apparatus decided to send the data to the destination apparatus via the apparatus.   
     
     
         68 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein the receiver is also configured to receive the data from the source apparatus, the data comprising an address of the destination apparatus, and the apparatus further comprising:
 a circuit configured to determine, based on the address, that the received data should be forwarded to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         69 . An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:
 means for receiving, from a source apparatus, a request message to send data to a destination apparatus;   means for determining, in response to the request message, whether it is preferable to send the data from the source apparatus directly to the destination apparatus or to send the data from the source apparatus to the destination apparatus via the apparatus; and   means for transmitting a confirmation message to the source apparatus and to the destination apparatus, said confirmation message indicating that it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the apparatus.   
     
     
         70 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein:
 the means for receiving is further configured to receive the data from the source apparatus; and   the means for transmitting is further configured to forward the received data to the destination apparatus, and   wherein the reception and the forwarding are performed simultaneously.   
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein:
 the means for receiving is further configured to receive the data from the source apparatus; and   the means for transmitting is further configured to forward the received data to the destination apparatus, and   wherein all the data are received and buffered at the apparatus before being forwarded to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         72 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , further comprising:
 means for assigning, to the source apparatus, channel times for transmitting the data from the source apparatus to the apparatus; and   means for assigning, to the destination apparatus, other channel times for receiving the data at the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         73 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , further comprising:
 means for assigning, to the source apparatus, frequency bands for transmitting the data from the source apparatus to the apparatus; and   means for assigning, to the destination apparatus, other frequency bands for receiving the data at the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , further comprising:
 means for assigning, to the source apparatus, a first set of spatial channels for transmitting the data from the source apparatus to the apparatus; and   means for assigning, to the destination apparatus, a second set of spatial channels for receiving the data at the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         75 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein a portion of the data is received from the source apparatus and forwarded to the destination apparatus before receiving another portion of the data from the source apparatus. 
     
     
         76 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein:
 the means for transmitting is further configured to transmit, to the source apparatus before forwarding the portion of the data, an acknowledgement message to acknowledge the reception of the portion of the data; and   the means for receiving is further configured to receive, from the destination apparatus, another acknowledgement message indicating reception of the portion of the data at the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         77 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein the means for determining comprises:
 means for determining a first link quality based on channel condition of a link between the source apparatus and the apparatus;   means for determining a second link quality based on channel condition of a link between the apparatus and the destination apparatus;   means for determining a third link quality based on channel condition of a direct link between the source apparatus and the destination apparatus; and   means for comparing at least one of the determined first, second or third link qualities with a defined level of link quality required for successful transmission of the data using a selected modulation-coding scheme.   
     
     
         78 . The apparatus of  claim 77 , wherein the channel condition comprises a signal-to-noise ratio. 
     
     
         79 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein the means for receiving is further configured to receive the data from the source apparatus, and the apparatus further comprising:
 means for decoding a portion of the received data; and   means for re-encoding the decoded portion of the data, and wherein   the means for transmitting is further configured to forward the re-encoded portion of the data together with a rest of the received data that was not decoded.   
     
     
         80 . The apparatus of  claim 79 , wherein the decoded portion of the data comprises a header, and wherein the means for re-encoding comprises:
 means for modifying the decoded portion of the data.   
     
     
         81 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein:
 the means for transmitting is further configured to transmit, to the source apparatus, information about at least one channel condition, and   wherein the at least one channel condition comprises at least one of: channel condition of a link between the source apparatus and the apparatus or channel condition of a link between the apparatus and the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         82 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein:
 the means for receiving is further configured to receive, from the source apparatus, the data comprising an announcement message, said announcement message indicates that the source apparatus decided to send the data to the destination apparatus via the apparatus.   
     
     
         83 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein the means for receiving is further configured to receive the data from the source apparatus, the data comprising an address of the destination apparatus, and the apparatus further comprising:
 means for determining, based on the address, that the received data should be forwarded to the destination apparatus.   
     
     
         84 . A computer-program product for wireless communications by a forwarding apparatus, comprising a computer-readable medium comprising instructions executable to:
 receive, from a source apparatus, a request message to send data to a destination apparatus;   in response to the request message, determine whether it is preferable to send the data from the source apparatus directly to the destination apparatus or to send the data from the source apparatus to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus; and   transmit a confirmation message to the source apparatus and to the destination apparatus, said confirmation message indicating that it is preferable to send the data to the destination apparatus via the forwarding apparatus.   
     
     
         85 . A wireless node, comprising:
 at least one antenna;   a receiver configured to receive, from a source wireless node via the at least one antenna, a request message to send data to a destination wireless node;   a processor configured to determine, in response to the request message, whether it is preferable to send the data from the source wireless node directly to the destination wireless node or to send the data from the source wireless node to the destination wireless node via the wireless node; and   a transmitter configured to transmit via the at least one antenna a confirmation message to the source wireless node and to the destination wireless node, said confirmation message indicating that it is preferable to send the data to the destination wireless node via the wireless node.