Multi-layer multi-hop wireless system

A method comprising:

• segmenting data to be sent from a source node N1 to a destination node (Nk) via relay nodes (N2, . . . ,N(K−1)) into data segments (D1, D2, . . . , D(K−1));
• creating a multi-layer message containing the data segments (D1, D2, . . . , D(K−1)) such that each data segment is in a separate layer of the multi-layer message, wherein the first data segment (D1) is encoded for the destination node (NK) and the data segments (D(K−1), . . . , D2) are each encoded the multi-layer message for relay nodes (N2, . . . , N(K−1)), respectively;
• sending the multi-layer message from the source node directly to all the relay nodes (N2 through N(K−1)) and destination node (NK);
• decoding layers of the multi-layer message by each relay node (N2,. . . , N(K−1)) sequentially from the first data segment (D1) until the corresponding data segment (D(K−1), . . . , D2), respectively, for each relay node (N2, . . . , N(K−1)) is decoded;
• and
• sending, by each relay node (N2,. . . , N(K−1)), the corresponding data segments (D(K−1),. . . , D2) to the destination node (NK) and to the relay nodes remaining between the sending relay node and the destination node (NK).

A method comprising:

• dividing information to be sent from a source node to a destination node via a relay node into at least first and second segments;
• using hierarchical modulation to create a signal containing the first and second segments for transmission from the source node, wherein the first segment is modulated using a first modulation scheme and wherein the second segment is modulated using a second modulation scheme;
• sending the signal containing the first and second segments from the source node directly to both the relay node and the destination node;
• demodulating the signal by the relay node to recover the second segment;
• modulating the second segment using a third modulation scheme;
• and
• sending only the second segment from the relay node to the destination node.

A system comprising:

• a source node having a first memory coupled to a first processor;
• at least one relay node having a second memory coupled to a second processor;
• and
• a plurality of instructions stored in the first and second memories for execution by the first and second processors, the instructions including instructions for:
• dividing information to be sent from the source node to a destination node via the relay node into at least first and second segments;
• generating a signal containing the first and second segments for transmission from the source node, wherein the first and second segments are each independently encoded within the signal;
• sending the signal containing the first and second segments from the source node directly to both the relay node and the destination node;
• and
• recovering the first and second segments by the relay node and sending the second segment from the relay node to the destination node without the first segment, wherein the destination node is able to reconstruct the information by combining the first segment sent by the source node with the second segment sent by the relay node.