Patent ID: 7260100

Claim:
A communication node, the communication node comprising: a communication processing module, the communication processing module (a) executing a first search algorithm using a time division multiple access (TDMA) protocol, the TDMA protocol allocating a plurality of time slots, the first search algorithm allocating one or more time slot of the plurality of time slots to communicate control information with a first communication node and allocating remaining time slots of the plurality of time slots to identify a second communication node; (b) identifying the second communication node; (c) synchronizing with the second communication node to form a network including the first communication node and the identified second communication node; (d) calculating a confidence level wherein the confidence level estimates the likelihood that a third communication node capable of communication with the network has not been identified; (e) comparing the calculated confidence level to a desired confidence level; and (f) if the desired confidence level is not achieved, repeating (a)-(f); and a transceiver communicating the control information.