A computing system wherein communication between a host computer and peripheral units, e.g. computer mouse and keyboard, is performed using RF signals. The host computer and the peripheral units each contain a transceiver for managing and transmitting the RF communication messages. An acknowledgement is sent by the receiving transceiver to the sending transceiver to signify that the message was successfully received. If no acknowledgement is received by the sending transceiver, a subsequent RF communication message is sent until an acknowledgement is received. A sleep mode is invoked between messages to conserve battery power in the peripheral units, and the peripheral units send a report message to the host when awaking periodically, or by a user demand, from the sleep mode signifying that the peripheral unit is active and ready to send or receive messages.