Abstract: A communications system has stations arranged in clusters (1a, 1b and 1c) of communication member stations (CM2, CM3, CM6 and CM7), with one member station (CH1, CH4 or CH5) in each cluster being a head station for the cluster. Each member station (CM2, CM3, CM6 and CM7) communicates with the network through a cluster head station (CH1, CH4 or CH5). The cluster head stations (CH1, CH4 and CH5) communicate among other cluster head stations (CH1, CH4 and CH5). A mobile communications station (e.g., CM3) evaluates a beacon message received from a first member station (e.g., CM6) of the plurality of mobile stations through a transceiver 6. The station CM3 also determines whether to communicate with the first member station CM6 directly or to communicate with the first member station CM6 by forwarding messages through a cluster head station CH1 that is affiliated to the mobile communications station CM3.

Abstract: A network for routing packets includes multiple nodes. A first node has a direct link to a second node. The first node receives a packet and identifies a primary next hop to which to transmit the packet (410). The primary next hop identifies at least the second node. The first node transmits the packet to the second node (420), determines whether the transmission was successful (430), and identifies at least a third node when the transmission to the second node was unsuccessful. The first node identifies the third node by: finding a node in the network that has a direct link to both the first and second nodes (440); identifying at least one alternate next hop, assuming that the link between the first and second nodes is unavailable, determining the cost associated with each of the alternate next hops, and selecting one of the alternate next hops based on the determined cost (640); or retrieving a predetermined alternate next hop from a forwarding table stored by the first node (940).

Abstract: A communications system for communication among plural stations in a network has stations (CH1, CM2, CM3, CH4, CH5, CM6, CM7) arranged in clusters (1a, 1b, 1c) of communication member stations, each communicating with each other. One of the member stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) is a head station of the cluster. The cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) communicate with other cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5). A method for configuring the network of stations includes a step of operating at least a first (CH5) and a second (CH4) station of the plural stations as cluster head stations, the first (CH5) and second (CH4) stations forming a communications link. The method also includes a step to resign the first (CH5) station from operating as a cluster head station when a predetermined resignation condition is met.

Abstract: A communications system for communication among plural stations in a network has stations (CH1, CM2, CM3, CH4, CH5, CM6, CM7) arranged in clusters (1a, 1b, 1c) of communication member stations, each communicating with each other. One of the member stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) is a head station of the cluster. The cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) communicate with other cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5). A method for configuring the network of stations includes a step of operating at least a first (CH5) and a second (CH4) station of the plural stations as cluster head stations, the first (CH5) and second (CH4) stations forming a communications link. The method also includes a step to resign the first (CH5) station from operating as a cluster head station when a predetermined resignation condition is met.

Abstract: A communications system for communication among plural stations in a network has stations (CH1, CM2, CM3, CH4, CH5, CM6, CM7) arranged in clusters (1a, 1b, 1c) of communication member stations, each communicating with each other. One of the member stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) is a head station of the cluster. The cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) communicate with other cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5). A method for configuring the network of stations includes a step of operating at least a first (CH5) and a second (CH4) station of the plural stations as cluster head stations, the first (CH5) and second (CH4) stations forming a communications link. The method also includes a step to resign the first (CH5) station from operating as a cluster head station when a predetermined resignation condition is met.