AD-HOC NETWORK AND METHOD EMPLOYING GLOBALLY OPTIMIZED ROUTES FOR PACKETS

An ad-hoc network includes an ad-hoc network coordinator (NC) having a first processor, a first memory, and a first communication interfac e; and a plurality of ad-hoc network devices (NDs). Each of the NDs includes a second processor, a second memory, and a second communication interface structured to communicate with the first communication interface of the NC or with the second communication interface of at least another one of the NDs. The first processor cooperates with at least some of the NDs to globally optimize a route based on a plurality of link costs for: (i) pairs of the NDs, or (ii) pairs of the NDs and at least one pair including one of the NDs and the NC, in order to minimize cost along th e route that: (a) one of the NDs or the NC employs to send a packet to: (b) another one of the NDs or the NC.