Identifying reliable low-power wireless links for packet forwarding in sensor networks is a challenging task. Currently, link estimators mainly focus on identifying high-quality stable links, leaving out a potentially large set of intermediate quality links capable of enhancing routing progress in a multihop network.

In this paper we present our ongoing work on short-term link estimation that captures link dynamics at high resolution in time. A short-term link quality is calculated based on the recent transmission characteristics of a link. This short-term quality of a link, combined with its long term reliability enables to determine if an intermediate quality link is temporarily available for transmission. Consequently adapting the neighbor table of a node and offering more forwarding choices to routing protocols.