Nodes (103a-d, 105, 107, 109a-c, 111a-c) in an ad hoc communication network are coordinated. The network includes the node (111b) and one or more neighbor nodes (103a-d, 105, 107, 109a-c, 111a,c). The node (111b) can sleep in a low duty cycle. Further, the node (111b) can awaken, responsive to a schedule; and register with a cluster head (101); listen for one or more neighbors, wherein the at least one neighbor can be active (103a-d, 105, 107) or idle (109a-c, 111a,c); and/or listen for one or more requests from the cluster head (101) or active neighbor(s) (103a-d, 105, 107). Responsive to the request(s), the idle node (111b) can become active on a communication link.