Patent ID: 8077663

Claim:
A mesh network, comprising: a first plurality of nodes, each respective node comprising a first radio, a second radio, at least one processor, and memory storing computer-executable instructions to select a route for communications sent from the respective node, each respective node configured to organize into a first-level mesh by scanning for the presence of other nodes and, in response, updating routing information stored in the respective memory, wherein each respective first radio is configured to communicate with another node in the first plurality of nodes and to limit its signal power output to reduce radio interference with other nodes outside of the first-level mesh, and at least one of the first plurality of nodes is further configured to operate as a gateway node to communicate with a second-level mesh using its respective second radio; and a second plurality of nodes, each respective node comprising a first radio, a second radio, at least one processor, and memory storing computer-executable instructions to select a route for communications sent from the respective node, each respective node configured to organize into the second-level mesh by scanning for the presence of other nodes and, in response, updating routing information stored in the respective memory, wherein each respective first radio is configured to communicate with another node in the second plurality of nodes.