The present invention is directed to optimization and failure detection of a wireless base station network. Based on RF link attenuation measurement, e.g., a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) measurement, a server determines an optimal transmission sequence. Each base station of the optimal transmission sequence, a predecessor and a successor, are designated. Each base station of the sequence generates a packet. Most distant base station (relative to the server) transmits its packet to its successor. Each base station of the sequence (in turn) receives the packet from its predecessor, combines the received packet with its own generated packet, transmits the combined packet to its successor, and so on until the combined packet is relayed to a super base station at the end of the sequence. The super base station transmits the packet to the server. Based on the packet size, server can ascertain which base station (if any) failed.