Methods and systems are disclosed for realizing MBRI networks and network devices using commercial off-the-shelf components (e.g., chipsets) conforming to the 802.11 networking standards. In particular, a physical layer is provided at or below the medium access control layer that adapts the lowest level of a hardware chipset to the MBRI protocol. Also disclosed are methods of managing and operating an integrated MBRI router that supports a tightly or loosely coupled WiFi MAC and PHY layer operations in an all-IP mobile ad hoc network (MANET) with carrier grade network performance and improved spectrum utilization through IP transparent routing, media access control and physical layer convergence protocols.