Abstract: A method for establishing and maintaining a wireless ad hoc network comprising backbone nodes which forward packets through the network and non-backbone nodes which are capable of using the network, but do not forward packets. Signaling packets containing one or more protocol support records are periodically generated and transmitted by each node to neighboring nodes and are forwarded through the network by backbone nodes. Non-network nodes are initially selected to become backbone members during a SELECTION process based on an assessment of the node's connectivity relative to its neighbors. Link quality between nodes is monitored and used during an EXPANSION process in which additional non-network nodes may become backbone members. Disconnected backbone segments are interconnected during a CONNECTION process and the network is maintained during a MAINTENANCE process by periodically assessing the value of a backbone node's membership in the backbone.

Abstract: A method for routing data through a packet communications network including the steps of generating a concatenated data packet containing a plurality of messages for transmission to a plurality of radios in the network, appending a first set of assignment commands and destination codes to the concatenated data packet, and transmitting the concatenated data packet to a first set of radios of the plurality of radios in a single transmission. The method further includes the steps of extracting messages from the concatenated data packet for the first set of radios, appending a second set of assignment commands and destination codes to the concatenated data packet, and relaying the concatenated data packet to a second set of radios of the plurality of radios in a single transmission. In a preferred embodiment, the adaptive protocol for packet communications network of the present invention forms the concatenated data packet in a headend radio.