METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ROUTING DATA

A method of operating a wireless network with a base station and a plurality of outstations comprises transmitting a broadcast signal from the base station and in response to reception of the broadcast signal, transmitting an acknowledgement signal from an outstation. At least some of the outstations serve to relay signals for other outstations. An outstation relaying an acknowledgement signal appends to the signal an identifier identifying the relaying outstation. The base station, upon receipt of an acknowledgement signal, stores any appended identifier(s) for later use in routing signals to the outstation which originated that acknowledgement signal.