Methods and apparatuses for relaying data in wireless networks

A system that relays data on a multi-hop network, the system comprising:

• a first node that relays data between a cellular base station and at least one cellular device via at least a first wireless communications channel and a second wireless communications channel, wherein the first wireless communications channel is a cellular communications channel in accordance with a cellular technology standard, wherein the first wireless communications channel is between the cellular base station and the first node, wherein the cellular base station controls transmission of the data over the first wireless communications channel, wherein the second wireless communications channel is between the first node and the at least one cellular device, and wherein the data is transmitted over the second wireless communications channel without involvement of the cellular base station;
• and
• a second node that connects to the at least one cellular device via at least a third wireless communications channel in response to direction from the cellular base station that is based at least in part on a measurement associated with operation of the first node, wherein second data is transmitted over the third wireless communications channel without involvement of the cellular base station, wherein the second node relays the second data between the cellular base station and the at least one cellular device via at least the third wireless communications channel and a fourth wireless communications channel, wherein the fourth wireless communications channel is between the second node and the cellular base station, wherein the cellular base station controls transmission of the second data over the fourth wireless communications channel, wherein the second node encrypts third data with a security key associated with the second node to create encrypted third data, and wherein the second node transmits the encrypted third data to the cellular base station over at least the fourth wireless communications channel.

A communications system comprising:

• at least one cellular base station comprising memory;
• a first node that relays data between the at least one cellular base station and at least one cellular device via at least a first wireless communications channel and a second wireless communications channel;
• and
• a second node;
• wherein the first wireless communications channel is a cellular communications channel in accordance with a cellular technology standard;
• wherein the first wireless communications channel is between the at least one cellular base station and the first node;
• wherein the at least one cellular base station controls transmission of the data over the first wireless communications channel;
• wherein the second wireless communications channel is between the first node and the at least one cellular device;
• wherein the data is transmitted over the second wireless communications channel without involvement of the at least one cellular base station;
• wherein the memory stores a measurement associated with operation of the first node;
• wherein the at least one cellular base station directs the at least one cellular device to connect to a second node via at least a third wireless communications channel based at least in part on the measurement associated with the operation of the first node;
• wherein second data is transmitted over the third wireless communications channel without involvement of the at least one cellular base station;
• wherein the second node relays the second data between the at least one cellular base station and the at least one cellular device via at least the third wireless communications channel and a fourth wireless communications channel, and the fourth wireless communications channel is between the second node and the at least one cellular base station;
• wherein the at least one cellular base station controls transmission of the second data over the fourth wireless communications channel;
• wherein the second node encrypts third data with a security key associated with the second node to create encrypted third data;
• and
• wherein the second node transmits the encrypted third data to the at least one cellular base station over at least the fourth wireless communications channel.