Abstract: A process for use in conjunction with a communications network routing protocol that automatically adjusts for congestion that may occur due to the presence of advantaged and partially disadvantaged nodes. The network nodes check to determine if they are advantaged or partially disadvantaged. Advantaged nodes may, for example, be airborne or satellite nodes having a high degree of network connectivity. Partially disadvantaged nodes may comprise nodes that are low on power. Advantaged nodes and partially disadvantaged nodes adjust the network metrics entered into the routing tables they use to advertise their routing information over the network to show longer pathways through such nodes. As a result the other nodes in the network reduce the amount of network traffic routed through advantaged and disadvantaged nodes.

Abstract: A method for handling data transmission errors in a wireless communication network includes receiving a first data from a first node at a second node using a data transmission protocol having a first slot for transmitting the first data. The first slot includes a plurality of bits and a first slot header comprising an acknowledgment request for at least one group of bits. The method also includes evaluating the first set of data for errors and generating a second slot using the data transmission protocol. The second slot includes at least a second slot header comprising acknowledgement data in response to the acknowledgement request. The acknowledgement data has a structure based on a Forward Error Correction (FEC) protocol block size. The second slot is then transmitted to the first node.

Abstract: A method for reallocating bandwidth includes assigning a node to a position message slot, running an allocation algorithm, generating a table based on the allocation algorithm, selecting a row of the table, aligning a value of the row with a node identifier; and assigning the node to a mini-slot within the position message slot based on the aligning of the value of the row and the node identifier.

Abstract: A method for allowing a node in a wireless communication network to access time slot assignment information on multiple channels includes assigning the node to a first channel associated with a channelized neighborhood having a plurality of nodes. The node communicates in accordance with an access protocol having a common channel frame portion and a channelized frame portion. A plurality of staggered channelized bootstrap slot sections are provided in the channelized frame portion. Each channelized bootstrap slot section is associated with a different channel and offset in time from the other channelized bootstrap slot sections.