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In a wireless mesh topology data communications network, a communications method having a type of handshaking protocol for data exchange. A portion of the protocol is synchronous, using a schedule of control channel sessions held at all mutually communicating nodes of the network and a portion of th

In a wireless mesh topology data communications network, a communications method having a type of handshaking protocol for data exchange. A portion of the protocol is synchronous, using a schedule of control channel sessions held at all mutually communicating nodes of the network and a portion of the protocol is asynchronous, relying upon gaps between control channel sessions for transmission of requested data. Nodes which are in line of sight relation request data from each other using a request to send message and a clear to send message. A requesting node sends an RTS message to a neighbor node with information about gaps specifying the location of requested data. A supplying node transmits a potential schedule for sending requested information and the requesting node sends a CTS message agreeing upon the schedule. The potential schedule includes a number of available gaps between known control channel sessions. Because transmissions are scheduled, rapidly switchable directional antennas at requesting and supplying nodes may be used with good advantage.

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1. In a wireless packet radio mesh topology communications system of the type having a plurality of interconnected nodes, a communications method between nodes comprising:dividing time into synchronous frames of known length, within each frame, providing time slots in accordance with a prearranged s

1. In a wireless packet radio mesh topology communications system of the type having a plurality of interconnected nodes, a communications method between nodes comprising:dividing time into synchronous frames of known length, within each frame, providing time slots in accordance with a prearranged schedule for each pair of neighboring nodes during which each node exchanges control information with a communicating node, thereby providing synchronous control channel time slots, between each pair of communicating nodes, using said exchanged control information at each communicating node for scheduling asynchronous transmission or reception of data in between the control channel time slots, thereby providing a data channel amidst the control channel, whereby each note has regularly scheduled times for sending and receiving control information, with gaps in the times remaining after exchanging the prearranged schedule of control information, the gaps available for use as a data channel by said scheduling.