A wireless mesh network includes at least one data collection device (105). The wireless mesh network also includes a plurality of directional antennas (280) operatively coupled to each other and the at least one data collection device. The wireless mesh network is configured to transmit information with a data rate of approximately 250 Kilobits per second (Kbits/sec) or less, and at a frequency of approximately 2.4 GigaHertz (GHz) or less.

WE CLAIM:
1. A wireless mesh network (220) comprising:
at least one data collection device (105); and
a plurality of directional antennas (280) operatively coupled to each other and to said at least one data collection device,
wherein said wireless mesh network is configured to transmit information with a data rate of approximately 250 Kilobits per second (Kbits/sec) or less, and at a frequency of approximately 2.4 GigaHertz (GHz) or less.
2. A wireless mesh network (220) in accordance with Claim 1 further comprising at least one omnidirectional antenna (265) operatively coupled to at least one of said at least one data collection device (105) and at least one of said plurality of directional antennas (280).
3. A wireless mesh network (220) in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said plurality of directional antennas (280) comprises:
a first directional antenna (280) positioned in communications range of a first omnidirectional antenna (265); and
a second directional antenna (280) positioned in communications range of a second omnidirectional antenna (265).
4. A wireless mesh network (220) in accordance with Claim 1
further comprising at least one memory device (110) and at least one processor (115)
coupled to said at least one memory device, wherein said at least one memory device
is configured to:
store data transmitted from at least one sensor measurement device (235); and
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store programmed computer instructions to instruct said processor to transmit at least a portion of the data stored in said at least one memory device to at least one of:
said plurality of directional antennas (280); and
at least one omnidirectional antenna (265)operatively coupled to at least one of said plurality of directional antennas.
5. A wireless mesh network (220) in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said plurality of directional antennas (280) transmits the portion of the data from said at least one memory device (110) in a manner compliant with Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.15.4 for low-rate wireless networks.
6. A wireless mesh network (220) in accordance with Claim 1 further comprising:
a first portion (260) comprising a plurality of omnidirectional antennas (265); and
a second portion (285) comprising said plurality of directional antennas (280), wherein at least one of said plurality of directional antennas is operatively coupled to at least one of said plurality of omnidirectional antennas.
7. A wireless mesh network (2200 in accordance with Claim 1,
wherein said plurality of directional antennas (280) comprises two directional
antennas that are opposing and adjacent to each other.
8. A monitoring system (200) comprising:
at least one sensor measurement device (235);
at least one data collection device (105); and
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a wireless mesh network (220) coupled to said at least one data collection device and said at least one sensor measurement device, said wireless mesh network comprising a plurality of directional antennas (280) operatively coupled to each other and to said at least one data collection device,
wherein, said wireless mesh network is configured to transmit information with a data rate of approximately 250 Kilobits per second (Kbits/sec) or less, and at a frequency of approximately 2.4 GigaHertz (GHz) or less.
9. A monitoring system (200) in accordance with Claim 8 further comprising at least one omnidirectional antenna (265) operatively coupled to at least one of said at least one data collection device (105) and at least one of said plurality of directional antennas (280).
10. A monitoring system (200) in accordance with Claim 8, wherein said plurality of directional antennas (280) comprises:
a first directional antenna (280) positioned in communications range of a first omnidirectional antenna (265); and
a second directional antenna (280) positioned in communications range of a second omnidirectional antenna. (265).