GB2493497A - Requesting high priority for a wireless backhaul link between a mobile first access node and a second access node - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile first access node requests high priority for a wireless backhaul link between the mobile first access node and a second access node. The established wireless backhaul link is utilized as part of a wireless multihop connection between the second access node and at least one user device attached to the mobile first access node. The high priority may be requested by indicating a priority class (e.g., highest priority, at least higher than any current priority, and at least as high as a highest current priority) and may also indicate how many user devices are attached and/or an amount of data waiting to be sent. A first timer may be initiated upon inactivity on the wireless backhaul link and continuous inactivity through expiry of the first timer automatically results in a reduction of the priority class for the wireless backhaul link.

Description

Wireless communications systems

Field of the Invention

The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of this invention relate generally to methods, apparatus, computer program products and computer software for wireless communication systems. In particular, but not exclusively, embodiments of the invention relate to controlling connectivity setup.

Background of the Invention

The following abbreviations that may be found in the specification and/or the drawing figures are defined as follows: 2G 2nd Generation 3G 3rd Generation 3GPP third generation partnership project AP access point BSS basic service set DCF distributed coordination function eNB evolved NodeB ESS extended service set FILS fast initial link setup IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers LAN local area network LTE long term evolution (evolved UTRAN) MAC medium access control RAT radio access technology STA station SSID service set identifier QoS quality-of-service UTRAN universal terrestria' radio access network WLAN wireless LAN As wireless radio access becomes more ubiquitous, additional use cases arise for which more conventional access schemes are not particularly viable. The concept of a wireless baekhaul link is not itself new but is applied for more and varied use cases which can be more efficiently met with new procedures.

Wireless backhaul is needed where the access node providing connectivity between the mobile user devices under its control and a broader communication system such as a cellular network or the Internet does not itself have a wired or optical or fixed wireless connection to that network/Internet. A fixed AP may still be fixed despite 0 having a wireless backhaul link if, for example, it and its peer across that wireless backhaul connection are not mobile so that the backhaul radio resources generally do not change greatly. In the case of a mobile AP having a wireless baekhaul link, radio resources must be dynamically allocated for both the conventional wireless links between the access node and its attached user devices, and also for the backhaul link which carries both the access node's uplink traffic to the network/Internet and traffic from the network/Internet to the access node for ftirther transmission downlink.

Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary scenario needing dynamic wireless baekhaul.

There is a series of fixed APs (1,2, ...N) which operate conventionally and with fixed (non-wireless) backhaul links 101 such as a digital subscriber line. Each of them may have their own set of attached user devices, shown by example as a STA attached to fixed AP 1. The fixed APs may for example be implemented as conventional (macro) base stations/node Bs/eNBs or as femto cells of a LTE network or any mix thereof There is additionally at Figure 1 a mobile AP 1 which has its own set of attached STAs. By example, assume the mobile AP 1 is a user device on a train acting as an AP STA for the two illustrated non-AP STAs also on the train. As the train and the mobile AP I move in the direction of the solid line arrow, the wireless baekhaul link 102 used by the mobile AP 1 moves from fixed AP Ito fixed AP 2 and finally to fixed AP #14. Being on a train moving along a fixed track, all of these APs fixed and mobile are part of an extended service set ESS 103. From the STAs attached to the mobile AP 1 there is then a multihop wireless link to the network backbone, a first hop to the mobile AP 1 and a second along the wireless backbone running between mobile AP 1 and whichever fixed AP it is connected at a given time. More than two wireless hops is also a viable scenario.

While thc tcrms AP and STA used in Figure 1 are conventional for WLAN, such a scenario is not specific to any given RAT. In fact, if one assumes thc various APs in Figure 1 are each equipped with multiple radios then they can provide connectivity to their locally attached STAs using a local radio (such as IEEE 802.11 wireLcss LAN, Bluetooth or Zigbcc) and a conventional cellular radio (e.g., 2G, UTRAN, LTE) for any wireless baekhaul connection they support. The wireless backhaul could be the same family as the local connection, such as IEEE 802.llac for the Local high throughput connection and IEEE 802.1 lah or 802.1 laf for the longer range wireless backhaul, or an 0 LTE-A femto node or IJE as the mobile AP and a LTE (or LTE-A) macro eNB as the fixed AP. The mobile AP 1 may serve a more limited access function, storing user data locally and providing downlink streaming services to, as well as facilitating communications amongst, its attached STAs.

Since the mobile AP in Figure 1 moves in and out of coverage of different fixed APs the connection setup and the initiation of the relatively short data transmission session between mobile AP and fixed AP should be efficient.

Under discussion in the IEEE standardization for 802.11 is an enhancement to the IlLS, which is in IEEE 802.llai. One scenario for enhanced FILS, and which Figure 1 illustrates, is the so-called train station lobby scenario at section 3.3.3 of document IEEE 802. -11 /0238r1 1 a (March 20 1). A train with a mobile hot spot (mobile AP 1) arrives in a train station while the mobile AP has an AP to STA interface 104 for communicating with the STAs in the train and it also has a non-AP interface (the wireless backhaul link 102) for connecting to the fixed AP at the station. Of particular relevance is that the mobile AP's communication over the non-AP interface 102 with the fixed AP is not distinguishable from a normal STA, which might cause severe problems in the mobile AP providing connectivity for its associated STAs.

Summary of the Invention

The foregoing and other problems are overcome, and othcr advantages are realized, by the use of the exemplary embodiments of this invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment of the invention there is a method of controlling connectivity setup, the method comprising: establishing a wireless backhaul link by sending from a mobile first access node to a second access node a priority request message requesting high priority for a link between the mobile first access node and the second access node; and utilizing thc established wireless backhaul link as part of a wireless multihop coimection between the second access node and at least one user device attached to the mobile first access node.

In a second cxemplary embodiment of thc invention there is an apparatus for use in controlling coimectivity setup. The apparatus comprises a processing system which may comprise at least one processor and a memory storing a set of computer instructions. In this embodiment the processing system is arranged to: establish a wireless backhaul link by sending from a mobile first access node to a second access node a priority request message requesting high priority for a link between the mobile first access node and the second access node; and utilize the established wireless backhaul link as part of a wireless multihop connection between the second access node and at least one user device attached to the mobile first access node.

In a third exemplary embodiment of the invention there is a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, the computer readable instructions being executable by a computerized device to cause the computerized device to perform a method of controlling connectivity setup, the method comprising: establishing a wireless backhaul link by sending from a mobile first aeecss node to a second access node a priority request message requesting high priority for a link between the mobile first access node and the second access node; and utilizing the established wireless baekhaul link as part of a wireless multihop connection between the second access node and at least one user device attached to the mobile first access node.

In a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention there is computer software adapted to perform the method of the first exemplary embodiment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing one scenario in which a mobile AP with attached STAs has a wireless backhaul link with various fixed APs as it travels, and is an environment in which embodiments of the invention may be advantageously practiced.

Figure 2 is a signaling diagram illustrating a mobile first access node with an attached station establishing a wireless backhaul link with a second access node according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a WL.AN management frame format which may bc adaptcd to signal thc priority request message of Figure 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of these teachings.

Figure 4 is a logic flow diagram illustrating the operation of a method, and a result of execution of computer program instructions embodied on a computer readable memory, for establishing and releasing the wireless backhaul link of Figure 2 according 0 to an exemplary embodiment of these teachings.

Figure 5 is a simplified block diagram of the nodes shown at Figure 2 which are exemplary electronic devices suitable for use in practicing the exemplary embodiments of this invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In the environment of Figure 1, consider the mobile AP as a mobile first access node, and the AP with which it is establishing a wireless backhaul link as a second access node. In conventional practice, and particularly if the wireless link between the first and second nodes is a WLAN link, the second node has no way of knowing that the link being established is for wireless backhaul, for the mobile first node is no different than a normal station. According to exemplary embodiments of these teachings, the mobile first access node indicates to the second node when establishing that wireless backhaul link a request for high priority. Particularly if the mobile first access node utilizes an inter-AP communication mechanism to communicate with the (fixed) second access node, the mobile first access node can more explicitly indicate its need for extra capacity as will be detailed below. Typically for the station lobby scenario noted in the background section above, such extra capacity will only be needed for a relatively short period of time since at least some of those stations attached to the mobile first access node will disembark at that rail station and no longer remain attachcd to the same mobile first access node.

A mobile first access node (AP) has one or more stations (STA) associated to it as in Figure 1 and it is moving into the coverage area of a second access node (preferably fixed but this also may be mobile) such as AP #N. The second access node also provides local connectivity to thosc STAs associated to it. Once the wireless backhaul is established, the mobile first access node can additionally act as a relaying node for those stations associated to it.

Figure 2 is an overview of an exemplary but non-limiting signaling regimen according to these teachings. Bcgin with the initial condition 202 at which a STA 20 is associated to or attached to the mobile first node or AP 22. As the mobile first AP 22 is in transit, it reads the beacon 204 which the second access node/AP 24 broadcasts, and this beacon includes the SSID of the second AP 24. The mobile first AP 22 cheeks at block 206 this received SSID against a set of SSIDs stored locally in the memory of the 0 mobile first AP 22. Thcse stored or pre-sct SSTDs are considered to bc trusted. The purpose of this check is to prevent the mobile first AP 22 from connecting to some other AP which is not capable of properly supporting a wireless backhaul link, such as for cxample if that other AP wcre not security enabled, or is not part of the same network as the mobile first AP 22. Establishment of the wireless backhaul link via message 208 below is contingent on passing this trusted' check. In other embodiments this cheek is optional.

Then the mobile first access point 22 transmits a priority rcquest message 208 to the second AP 24 in order to establish wireless backhaul. In an embodiment this priority request message 208 requests a high priority operational mode for the mobile AP. This may in some cases depend on the QoS support ofthe second AP 24. In one embodiment the priority request message 208 indicates to the second access point 24 a priority class for the baekhaul link being setup. in this example the priority class indicated in the request 208 may be for example: class, at least higher than any current priority class, or at least equal to the highest current prior/tv class. These priority classes are in reference to the links which the second AP 24 has established already for the STAs associated to that second AP 24. The priority request 208 is evaluated by the second AP 24 which ifirther grants or denies the priority request.

In specific but non-limiting embodiments, instead of or in addition to the priority class, the mobile first access node 22 may include in its priority request message 208 an indication of how many STAs are associated to the mobile first AP 22, or an amount of data (either data volume or buffer occupancy) that is waiting to be sent on the requested wireless backhaul link. In one specific embodiment the priority granted to the new wireless backhaul link will be automatically dropped to a lower priority as detailed below with respect to the timers 21 6A, 21 6B.

Now assume the wireless baekhaul link is setup via completion signaling at 210.

In an embodiment the mobile first Al' 22 can be configured at the MAC layer to indicate explicitly that it is a mobile AP. This mobility indication' can be transmitted in the information element of a beacon message 214 (which also carries the SSID of the transmitting Al' 22). This embodiment helps prevent random STAs from connecting to the mobile first Al' 22 which will not be available for a very long period, for example if the random STA was near the railroad tracks while the train on which the mobile fir st AP 22 was passing nearby, or the mobile AP 22 is passing through a city center at which several STAs are moving in different directions.

With the wireless baekhaul link established, the associated STA 20 sends data upliak at 212A which the mobile first AP 22 sends on the wireless backhaul link to the second AP 24 at 212B. This activity on the wireless backhaul link causes a timer to be initiated 214A at the mobile first AP 22 and also 214B at the second ÀY 24. Figure 2 shows distinct first and second timers but they may be implemented as only one. If the first timer expires 220A/220B while there is continuous inactivity on the wireless backhaul link the priority class requested at 208 and granted at 210 is automatically dropped to a lower level. This may occur without signaling, such as the default condition is that if the first timer expires the priority class of the wireless backhaul link reverts to no-priority (e.g., a normal priority for an AP-to-AP link or a STA-to-AP link).

Or alternatively the second AP 24 may explicitly signal the mobile first AP 22 with the new reduced priority.

Expiry of the second timer may be a true second timer or it may simply be some backoff factor from the first timer which runs for x milliseconds, in which x is predetermined. If the second timer expires and there is continuous inactivity on the wireless backhaul link, the mobile second AP 22 may in this embodiment release the wireless backhaul link (or at least its elevated priority) by sending to the second AP 24 a priority request release message 218. The mobile first ÀY 22 sends this message 218 when it has no more need for the backhaul connection and wishes to release its priority grant. In one embodiment noted above this release may occur upon expiry of the second timer (or expiry of some subset of the period of the first timer). In another embodiment this priority release may be initiated by the second AP 24 based on channel conditions, such as where the second AP 24 sees the signal quality ofthe mobile AP 22 falling below a certain threshold levely or the signal level staying below the threshold levely for a time period of k. The timers above may be implemented by a clock (oscillator) inherent within a processor of the respective access node 22, 24.

For the case in which the wireless backhaul link accords with the 802.11 WL.AN radio access technology, Figure 3 illustrates a format for a WLAN management frame.

The priority request message 208 of Figure 2 may be implemented as a public action frame, as an authentication frame, or as an association request in the body of a O management frame. Public action frames conventionally enable unassociated inter BSS communication or unassoeiated STA to AP communications in WLAN. As adapted according to these teachings, the mobile first AP 22 can utilize the public action frames either via a non-AP interface or anAP to AP interface to indicate the priority request 208.

In another embodiment the mobile first AP 22 can utilize an authentication frame to convey the priority request 208 in the frame body of an authentication frame which is a particular type of management frame. For the case in which the mobile first AP 22 utilizes its non-AP interface to connect to the fixed AP, the priority indication 208 can be included in the association request message which is transmitted also in the frame body of a management frame. In these cases, the priority indication 208 comprises a new information field within those conventional frame structures. Figure 3 shows the frame body relative to other fields of the WLAN management frame.

In an alternative embodiment or complementation to the above management frame implementations, the priority request 208 from the mobile first access point 22 to the fixed second access point 24 triggers the switch of access modes from the distributed coordination flinction (DCF) to PCF!H(CF)CCA (point coordination function'Hybrid Coordination Function Controlled Channel Access) for the fixed BSS while the mobile first access point 22 is associated with the fixed second access point 24.

One technical effect of these teachings is that the priority indication from the mobile first AP 22 saves the link setup time and resource cost for the STAs associated to it since they don't have to re-associate to the fixed hot spot 24. In addition, these teachings facilitate fast setup of the wirejess backhaul link since only one link has to be established between the mobile first AP 22 and the fixed second AP 24.

As noted above, the above WLAN specific examples are not limiting to the broader teachings herein, and the above techniques may be employed in other radio acccss technologies such as UTRAN and LIE to name oniy two others.

Figure 4 details particular exemplary embodiments of the invention from the perspective of the mobile first access node 22 (or one or morc components thereof). At block 402 of Figure 4, a wireless backhaul link is established by sending from a mobile first access node 22 to a second access node 24 a priority request message 208 requesting high priority for a link between the mobile first access node and the second access node. Then at block 404 that established wireless backhaul link is utilized as part 0 of a wireless multihop connection between the second access node 24 and at least one user device 20 attached to the mobile first access node 22. The multihop connection in Figure 1 is two-hop but these teachings are not limited only to two-hop wireless connections nor to the second access node 24 being itself fixed.

Further portions of Figure 4 are optional and may or may not be combined with one another in various embodiments. Block 406 gives an embodiment in which the priority request message 208 gives a priority class, which is selected from the group of: highest priority, at least higher than any current priority, and at least as high as a highest current priority. Block 408 describes that after the wireless backhaul link is established at block 402 then a first timer in initiated when there is inactivity on the established wireless baekhaul link. In embodiments, continuous inactivity on the established wireless baekhaul link between the initiating and expiry of the first timer automatically results in a reduction of the priority class for the wireless baekhaul link.

Block 410 gives various implementations of the priority request message 208.

For example, the priority request message 208 may indicate how many user devices are attached to the mobile first access node, and/or it may indicate an amount of data waiting to be sent on the wireless backhaul link.

Block 412 relates to the cheek at block 206 of Figure 2: sending of the priority request message 208 used to establish the wireless baekhaul link is conditional on the mobile first access node 22 checking an identifier of the second access node 24 against a locally stored set oftrusted identifiers.

Block 414 concerns releasing the wireless baekhaul link which was established at block 402. The wireless baekhaul link may be released by sending from the mobile first access node 22 to the second access node 24 a priority request release message 218, and/or by experiencing continuous inactivity on the established wireless backhaul link between initiation and expiry of a second timer 216A.

While the mobile first access node 22 has the wireless backhaul link established, it may periodically transmit a beacon 214 which includes an explicit indication that it is operating as a mobile access point as at block 416. At block 418, the same RAT family such as for example IEEE 802.11 WLAN or 3GPP LTE/LTE-A is the radio access technology used for both the wireless backhaul link and for a portion of the wireless multihop connection between the mobile first access node 22 and the at least one user device 20 attached to the mobile first access node.

Figure 4 is a logic flow diagram which may be considered to illustrate the operation of a method, and a result of execution of a computer program stored in a computer readable memory, and a specific manner in which components of an electronic device are configured to cause that electronic device to operate. The various blocks shown in Figure 4 may also be considered as a plurality of coupled logic circuit elements constructed to carry out the associated function(s), or specific result of strings of computer program code stored in a memory.

Such blocks and the functions they represent are non-limiting examples, and may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit chips and modules, and that the exemplary embodiments of this invention may be realized in an apparatus that is embodied as an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit, or circuits, may comprise circuitry (as well as possibly firmware) for embodying at least one or more of a data processor or data processors, a digital signal processor or processors, baseband circuitry and radio frequency circuitry that are configurable so as to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention.

Reference is now made to Figure 5 for illustrating a simplified block diagram of various electronic devices and apparatus that are suitable for use in practicing the exemplary embodiments of this invention. In Figure 5 there is a mobile first access node 22 and a second access node 24 which arc adapted for communication over wireless links 104A, lO4B with two apparatus 20, 21, such as mobile terminals or TilEs or STAs termed more generally as user devices. The second access node 24 may be further communicatively coupled to fflrthcr nctworks (e.g., a publicly switched telephone network PSTN and/or a data communications network/Internet), possibly via a higher network node such as a serving gateway in the case of the LTE system.

The user dcvicc 20 includes processing means such as at least one data processor (DP) 20A, storing means such as at least one computer-readable memory (MEM) 20B stor[ng at least one computer proam (PROG) 20C, communicating means such as a transmitter TX 20D and a receiver RX 20E for bidirectional wireless communications with the node B 22 via one or more antennas 20F. The other user device 21 is similarly functional with blocks 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E and 21F.

The mobile first access node 22 also includes processing means such as at least one data processor (DP) 22A, storing means such as at least one computer-readable memory (MEM) 22B storing at least one computer program (PROG) 22C, and communicating means such as a transmitter TX 22D and a receiver RX 22E for bidirectional wireless communications with its associated user devices 20, 21 via one or more antennas 22F and a modem 22H. There is also a wireless backhaul link 102 cstablished according to thc above teachings bctwccn the mobile fir st access node 22 and the sccond access node 24.

Similarly, the sccond access node 24 includes processing mcans such as at least one data processor (DP) 24A, storing means such as at least one computer-readable memory (MEM) 24B storing at least one computer program (PROG) 24C, and communicating means such as a modem 24H and antennas 2* for bidirectional wireless communications with the mobile first access node 22 over the wireless backhaul link 102. While not particularly illustrated for the user devices 20, 21, those devices are also assumed to include as part of their wireless communicating means a modem which may be inbui]t on an RE front end chip within those devices 20, 21 and which also carries the TX 20D!21D and the RX 20E/21E.

At least one of the PROGs 22C, 24C in the mobile first access node 22 and in the second access node 24 is assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated DP 22A, 24A, enable thc dcvicc to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invcntion as detailed more fully above. In this regard the exemplary embodiments of this invention may be implemented at least in part by computer software stored on the MEM 22B/24B which is executable by the DP 22A!24A of the respective first and second access nodes 22/24, or by hardware, or by a combination of tangibly stored software and hardware (and tangibly storcd firmware).

Electronic deviccs implcmcnting these aspects of the invention nccd not comprise the entire access nodc 22/24, but exemplary embodiments may be implemented by one or more components of same such as the above described tangibly stored software, hardware, firmware and DP, or a system on a chip SOC or an application specific integrated circuit ASIC or a digital signal processor DSP or a modem or a subscriber identity module commonly referred to as a SIM card.

Various embodiments of the uscr device 20 can include, but are not limited to: cellular telephones; data cards, TJSB dongics, personal portable digital devices having wireless communication capabilities including but not limited to laptop/palmtop/tablet computers, digital cameras and music devices, and Internet appliances.

Various embodiments of the computer readable MEM 22B/24B include any data storage teclmology type which is suitable to the local technical environment, including but not limited to semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, removable memory, disc memory, flash memory, DRAM, SRAM, EEPROM and the 111cc. Various embodiments of the DP 22A124A include but are not limited to general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and multi-core processors.

Various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this invention may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description. While the exemplary embodiments have been described above in the context of the WLAN and LTE systems, it should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments of this invention are not limited for use with only this one particular type of wireless communication system, and that they may be used to advantage in other wireless communication systems such as for example UTRAN, WCDMA and others.

Some of the various features of the above non-limiting embodiments may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other described features. The foregoing description should therefore be considered as merely illustrative of the principles, teachings and exemplary embodiments of this invention, and not in limitation thereof

Claims (9)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. A method of controlling connectivity setup, comprising: establishing a wireless backhaul link by sending from a mobile first access node to a second access node a priority request message requesting high priority for a link between the mobile first access node and the second access node; and utilizing the established wireless backhaul link as part of a wireless multihop connection between the second access node and at least one user device attached to the mobile first access node.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The method according to claim 1, in which the priority request message requests the high priority by indicating a priority class selected from the group: highest priority, at least higher than any current priority, and at least as high as a highest current priority.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The method according to claim I or 2, the method ifirther comprising, after the wireless backhaul link is established, initiating a first timer when there is inactivity on the established wireless backhaul link, in which continuous inactivity on the established wireless backhaul link between the initiating and expiry of the first timer automatically results in a reduction of the priority class for the wireless backhaul link.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The method according to any preceding claim, in which the priority request message further comprises an indication of how many user devices are attached to the mobile first access node.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The method according to any preceding claim, in which the priority request message further comprises an indication of an amount of data waiting to be sent on the wireless backhaul link.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The method according to any preceding claim, in which the priority request message is used to establish the wireless baekhaul link conditional on the mobile first access node checking an identifier of the second access node against a locally stored set of trusted identifiers.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The method according to any preceding claim, the method further comprising releasing the established wireless backhaul link by one of: sending from the mobile first access node to the second access node a priority request release message; and experiencing continuous inactivity on the established wireless backhaul link between initiation and expiry of a second timer.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. The method according to any preceding claim, the method further comprising the mobile first access node transmitting in a beacon an explicit indication that it is operating as a mobile access point.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. The method according to any preceding claim, in which a same radio access technology family is used for both the wireless backhaul link and for a portion of the wireless multihop connection between the mobile first access node and the at least one user device attached to the mobile first access node.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. An apparatus for use in controlling connectivity setup, the apparatus comprising a processing system arranged to: establish a wireless backhaiil link by sending from a mobile first access node to a second access node a priority request message requesting high priority for a link between the mobile first access node and the second access node; and utilize the established wireless backhaul link as part of a wireless multihop connection between the second access node and at least one user device attached to the mobile first access node.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the priority request message requests the high priority by indicating a priority class selected from the group: highest priority, at least higher than any current priority, and at least as high as a highest current priority.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. The apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the processing system is further arranged to, after the wireless baekhaul link is established, initiate a first timer when therc is inactivity on the cstablishcd wireless backhaul link, wherein continuous inactivity on the established wireless backhaul link between the initiating and cxpiry of the first timer automatically results in a reduction of the priority class for thc wireless backhaul link.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the priority request message further comprises an indication of at least one of: 0 how many user devices are attached to the mobile first access node; and an amount of data waiting to be sent on the wireless backhaul link.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the priority request message is used to establish the wireless backhaul link conditional on the apparatus checking an identifier of the second access node against a set of trusted identifiers stored in a memory of the mobile first access node.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the processing system is further arranged to release the established wireless backhaui link byoneof: sending to the second access node a priority request release message and experiencing continuous inactivity on the established wireless baekhaul link between initiation and expiry of a second timer.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein the processing system is further arranged to transmit from the mobile first access node in a beacon an explicit indication that the mobile first access node is operating as a mobile access point.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 16, wherein a same radio access technology family is used for both the wireless backhaul link and for a portion of the wireless multihop connection between the mobile first access node and the at least one user device attached to the mobile first access node.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 17, wherein said processing system comprises at least one processor and a memory storing a set of computer instructions.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, the computer readable instructions being executable by a computerized device to cause the computerized device to perform a method of controlling connectivity setup, the method comprising: establishing a wireless backhaul link by sending from a mobile first access node to a second access node a priority request message requesting high priority for a link between the mobile fir st access node and the second access node; and utilizing the established wireless backhaul link as part of a wireless multihop connection between the second access node and at least one user device attached to the mobile first access node.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. The computer program product according to cLaim 19, wherein the priority request message requests the high priority by indicating a priority class selected from the group: highest priority, at least higher than any current priority, and at least as high as a highest current priority.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. The computer program product according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the priority request message further comprises an indication of at least one of: how many user devices are attached to the mobile first access node; and an amount of data waiting to be sent on the wireless baekhaul link, and the priority request message is used to establish the wireless backhaul link conditional on the mobile first access node checking an identifier of the second access node against a locally stored set of trusted identifiers.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. Computer sofiware adapted to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 9.AMENDMENTS TO CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWSClaims 1. A method of controlling connectivity setup, comprising: establishing a wireless backhaul link by sending from a mobile first access node to a sccond access node a priority request message requesting high priority for a link between the mobile first access node and the second access node, the priority request message indicating the priority of said link in relation to the priorities of existing links between the second access node and other terminals associated to that second access node; and utilizing the established wireless backhaul link as part of a wireless multihop connection between the second access node and at least one user device attached to the mobile first access node.
2. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which the priority request message requests the high priority by indicating a priority class selected from the group: highest r 15 priority, at least higher than any current priority, and at least as high as a highest current priority.00
3. 3. The method according to claim I or 2, the method further comprising, after the wireless baekhaul link is established, initiating a first timer whea there is inactivity on the established wireless backhaul link, in which continuous inactivity on the established wireless backhaul link between the initiating and cxpiry of the first timer automatically results in a reduction of the priority class for the wireless backhaul link.
4. 4. The method according to any preceding claim, in which the priority request message further comprises an indication of how many user devices are attached to the mobile first access node.
5. 5. The method according to any preceding claim, in which the priority request message further comprises an indication of an amount of data waiting to be sent on the wireless backhaul link.
6. 6. The method according to any preceding claim, in which the priority request message is used to establish the wireless backhaul link conditional on the mobile first access node checking an identifier of the second access node against a locally stored set of trusted identifiers.
7. 7. The method according to any preceding claim, the method further comprising releasing the established wireless backhaul link by one of: sending from the mobile first access node to the second access node a priority request release message; and experiencing continuous inactivity on the established wireless backhaul link between initiation and expiry of a second timer.
8. 8. The method according to any preceding claim, the method further comprising the mobile first access node transmitting in a beacon an explicit indication that it is operating as a mobile access point.
9. 9. The method according to any preceding claim, in which a same radio r 15 access technology family is used for both the wireless backhaul link and for a portion of the wireless multihop connection between the mobile first access node and the at least one user device attached to the mobile first access node. Co10. An apparatus for use in controlling connectivity setup, the apparatus comprising a processing system arranged to: establish a wireless backhaul link by sending from a mobile first access node to a second access node a priority request message requesting high priority for a link between the mobile first access node and the second access node, the priority request message indicating the priority of said link in relation to the priorities of existing links between the second access node and other terminals associated to that second access node; and utilize the established wireless backhaul link as part of a wireless multihop connection between the second access node and at least one user device attached to the mobile first access node.11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the priority request message requests the high priority by indicating a priority class selected from the group: highest priority, at least higher than any current priority, and at least as high as a highest current priority.12. The apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the processing system is further arranged to, after the wireless baekhaul link is established, initiate a first timer when therc is inactivity on the cstablishcd wireless backhaul link, wherein continuous inactivity on the established wireless backhaul link between the initiating and cxpiry of the first timer automatically results in a reduction of the priority class for thc wireless backhaul link.13. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the priority request message further comprises an indication of at least one of: 0 how many user devices are attached to the mobile first access node; and an amount of data waiting to be sent on the wireless backhaul link.14. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the priority request message is used to establish the wireless backhaul link conditional on the apparatus checking an identifier of the second access node against a set of trusted identifiers stored in a memory of the mobile first access node.15. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the processing system is further arranged to release the established wireless backhaui link byoneof: sending to the second access node a priority request release message and experiencing continuous inactivity on the established wireless baekhaul link between initiation and expiry of a second timer.16. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein the processing system is further arranged to transmit from the mobile first access node in a beacon an explicit indication that the mobile first access node is operating as a mobile access point.17. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 16, wherein a same radio access technology family is used for both the wireless backhaul link and for a portion of the wireless multihop connection between the mobile first access node and the at least one user dcvicc attached to the mobile first access node.18. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 17, wherein said processing system comprises at least one processor and a memory storing a set of computer instructions.19. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, the computer readable instructions being executable by a computerized device to cause the computcrizcd device to perform a method of controlling connectivity setup, the method comprising: establishing a wireless backhaul link by sending from a mobile first access node to a second access node a priority request message requesting high priority for a link bctween the mobile first access node and the second access node, thc priority request message indicating the priority of said link in relation to the priorities of existing links C'SJ between the second access node and other terminals associated to that second access node; and (\J utilizing the established wireless baekhaul link as part of a wireless multihop connection between the second access node and at least one user device attached to the 00 20 mobile first access node.20. The computer program product according to claim 19, wherein the priority request message requests the high priority by indicating a priority class selected from the group: highest priority, at least higher than any current priority, and at least as higb as a highest current priority.21. The computer program product according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the priority request message further comprises an indication of at least one of: how many user devices are attached to the mobile first access node; and an amount of data waiting to be sent on the wireless backhaul link, and the priority request message is used to establish the wireless backhaul link conditional on the mobile first access node checking an identifier of the second access node against a locally stored set of trusted identifiers.22. Computer software adapted to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 9. 9.</claim-text>