A network node comprising: a communication scheduler arranged to divide a time period into a plurality of frames, the communication scheduler being further arranged to subdivide each of the plurality of frames into a plurality of slots, the network node being arranged to dynamically assign itself a first plurality of channels corresponding to a first subset of self-assigned slots for local data communication between the network node and other nodes in a mesh network of wireless sensors among the plurality of slots, each of the first plurality of channels_associated with a distinct radio frequency band; and a network interface to communicate to the other nodes in the mesh network of wireless sensors information indicative of the network node's dynamic self-assignment of the first subset of slots and the first plurality of channels, wherein the network node is arranged to: monitor the first subset of slots over the plurality of frames; de-assign one or more of the first subset of slots in response to determining that the network node has not received any local data communication during the plurality of frames and communicate the de-assignment to the other nodes in the mesh network of wireless sensors; and assign itself one or more additional slots among the plurality of slots in response to determining that the network node has received a quantity of local data communication during the plurality of frames exceeding a threshold quantity of local data communication and communicate the self-assignment of the one or more additional slots to the other nodes in the mesh network of wireless sensors. a communication scheduler arranged to divide a time period into a plurality of frames, the communication scheduler being further arranged to subdivide each of the plurality of frames into a plurality of slots, the network node being arranged to dynamically assign itself a first plurality of channels corresponding to a first subset of self-assigned slots for local data communication between the network node and other nodes in a mesh network of wireless sensors among the plurality of slots, each of the first plurality of channels_associated with a distinct radio frequency band; and a network interface to communicate to the other nodes in the mesh network of wireless sensors information indicative of the network node's dynamic self-assignment of the first subset of slots and the first plurality of channels, wherein the network node is arranged to: monitor the first subset of slots over the plurality of frames; de-assign one or more of the first subset of slots in response to determining that the network node has not received any local data communication during the plurality of frames and communicate the de-assignment to the other nodes in the mesh network of wireless sensors; and assign itself one or more additional slots among the plurality of slots in response to determining that the network node has received a quantity of local data communication during the plurality of frames exceeding a threshold quantity of local data communication and communicate the self-assignment of the one or more additional slots to the other nodes in the mesh network of wireless sensors. monitor the first subset of slots over the plurality of frames; de-assign one or more of the first subset of slots in response to determining that the network node has not received any local data communication during the plurality of frames and communicate the de-assignment to the other nodes in the mesh network of wireless sensors; and assign itself one or more additional slots among the plurality of slots in response to determining that the network node has received a quantity of local data communication during the plurality of frames exceeding a threshold quantity of local data communication and communicate the self-assignment of the one or more additional slots to the other nodes in the mesh network of wireless sensors. <EOS>