A network includes a parent node and at least one child node configured to communicate with the parent node via a wireless network protocol. The parent node includes a broadcast coordinator to transmit a broadcast message from the parent node to the child node at predetermined time intervals according to the wireless network protocol. A scheduler generates a scheduling packet that is communicated in the broadcast message. The scheduling packet includes a data field to instruct each child node to activate and receive data communicated from the parent node in a prescribed time slot following the broadcast message that is defined by the scheduling packet.