BACKGROUND

Communication networks, such as wireless mesh networks, star networks, and so on, are used to connect a variety of different devices. These communication networks often contain devices having different characteristics and capabilities. As such, in many instances, the devices can communicate according to multiple modulation schemes. Furthermore, a device may select a link for communication based on link quality metrics for the available links associated with modulation schemes that are available. The metrics may, for example, indicate a success of previous communications on the various links using those modulation schemes. However, when link selection is focused on link quality metrics developed for only one modulation scheme, the link selection may not be optimal. For example, focusing on link quality metrics for only one modulation scheme can lead to instability of the network due the large variations in the link quality when the modulation schemes being used are different from those used to evaluate the links.

Furthermore, metrics accumulated at just one layer of communication (e.g., network layer or Media Access Control, or MAC, layer) may not provide the basis of a precise link quality metric that accurately represents the quality of a link. On the other hand, a link quality metric determined based on such metrics may be too precise, resulting in a link quality metric that is excessively volatile.

