Abstract: A communication node of a multi-node communication network is disclosed. The communication node includes a communication interface and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a data packet, via the communication interface, from a first additional communication node, the data packet including a broadcast address indicative of a clustering status of the first additional communication node. The controller is further configured to determine a clustering status of the communication node, the clustering status based on a relationship between a number of gateway nodes and a number of clusterhead nodes communicatively coupled to the communication node.

Abstract: A method of performing data frame error recovery is disclosed. A data packet is received and tested to determine whether the data packet includes one or more bit errors. The data packet is compared with one or more data packets stored in a recovery buffer to identify a duplicate of the data packet when the data packet includes one or more bit errors. One or more bits affected by the one or more bit errors are identified based on a comparison between the data packet and the duplicate of the data packet. Different combinations of bit values for the one or more bits are determined, and the data packet is tested with the different combinations to identify a correct combination of bit values for the one or more bits. The data packet is recovered based on the correct combination of bit values for the one or more bits.