A surgical instnnnent ( 4010) configured to relay a low-power signal from an end effector ( 4002) to a remote device (4014) is disclosed. The surgical instrument may comprise a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle, and an end effector attached to the distal end of the shaft. A sensor ( 4116) may be disposed in the end effector. The sensor may generate a signal ( 4006) indicative of a condition at the end effector. A transmitter ( 4124) may be located in the end effector. The transmitter may transmit the signal from the sensor at a first power level. The signal may be received by a relay station ( 4008) located proximally to the shaft. The relay station is configured to retransmit the signal ( 4012) at a second power level, wherein the second power level is higher than the first power level.
