Patent ID: 6654614
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A communication system comprising:a first wireless network including a first plurality of wireless nodes wherein the first plurality of wireless nodes are configured to intercommunicate at a first power level; an overlay network including a second plurality of wireless nodes wherein the second plurality of wireless nodes are configured to intercommunicate at a second power level; and a first dual-power node included within said first plurality of wireless nodes and within said second plurality of wireless nodes, said first dual-power node including: means for receiving, when operative in a low-power mode, information transmitted at the first power level by one of said first plurality of wireless nodes; means for transmitting said information, at the second power level wherein the second power level is substantially greater than said first power level, to at least one of said second plurality of wireless nodes when operative in a high-power mode; and means for transitioning between operation in said low-power mode and said high-power mode.