Current generation communications systems already support multiple channel operation, store and forward relay functionality, and variable data rate features. What is lacking is a robust ad-hoc networking protocol that efficiently utilizes the multiple channels over time and over spatially distributed nodes to effectively communicate. The protocol should embrace the ability of nodes to bridge from one to another so that nodes that are not within direct communication range of each other can communicate. It will be shown in the sections that follow that the physical, data link, and networking layers in inextricably joined if maximum network utilization is sought. The objective of this proposal is to initiate the development of an approach and a practical implementation to the efficient use of resources among a network of RF communication systems.
