Transmitting Portions Of A Data Block In Transmission Bursts From A Plurality Of Transmitters

A cluster of communications platforms, said cluster comprising:

• a master communications platform comprising a short range transmitter that requires an amount of power PC to transmit data over a distance DC;
• and
• support communications platforms each disposed within said distance DC from said master communications platform, each said support platform comprising a receiver, and a long range transmitter that requires a power PR to transmit data over a distance DR, wherein said distance DR is greater than said distance DC and said power PR is greater than said power PC;
• wherein:
• said master platform comprises a power module capable of continuously supplying power PL to said short range transmitter, wherein said power PL is greater than said power PC but less than said power PR;
• each one of said support platforms comprises a power module capable of:
• supplying continuously average power Pa that is less than said power PR, and
• only after a charging time period tch, supplying to said long range transmitter of said support platform a power burst PB only for a burst time period tB that is greater than or equal to said power PR.