Patent ID: 7924747

Claim:
A method of enhancing or maintaining connectivity among nodes of a wireless communications network by adapting to changes in topology of the network, comprising: configuring a given node of a first set of one or more nodes of the network to operate according to a selected one or both of: (i) an ad hoc protocol wherein the node assumes a role of a mesh point node capable of connecting with other mesh point nodes of the network in communications range of the node, and (ii) a point-to-multipoint protocol wherein the node assumes a role different from that of a mesh point node and selected from among: (a) a base station node wherein the node operates as a central node that covers a certain region of space for serving one or more subscriber station nodes and for passing all communications of the subscriber station nodes through the node, and (b) a subscriber station node wherein the node is served by another node of the network in communications range and which other node is operating as a base station node, and wherein the node is operative to link only with the other node; and dynamically changing the role or roles assumed by the node among the ad hoc protocol, the point-to-multipoint protocol, and both of said protocols simultaneously, for adapting to a changing network topology and for maintaining an optimum state of connectivity among the nodes of the network.