초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a communication system where tree-search or stack contention-resolution algorithms in hybrid MAC protocols are used by CaTV stations to resolve message transmission collisions. The stations, which are computer communicating devices, communicate by message transmissio

The present invention relates to a communication system where tree-search or stack contention-resolution algorithms in hybrid MAC protocols are used by CaTV stations to resolve message transmission collisions. The stations, which are computer communicating devices, communicate by message transmissions over a communications channel where message contents of some of these transmissions are destroyed by collision of those messages sent from different stations. To resolve message transmission collisions, non-overlapping transmission time intervals of variable durations are generated and grouped into clusters of varying number of time intervals and varying time distances between them. Sequences of clusters are formed in which any station transmitting in a particular cluster will learn of the status of its message transmissions before commencement of the next cluster. Collision resolution is performed collectively on all message transmissions in a cluster and along the successive clusters of the same sequence.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:] [1.] A method of communicating in a multi-access computer communication system comprising a plurality of stations and a first communication channel, wherein said stations communicate using messag

[ Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:] [1.] A method of communicating in a multi-access computer communication system comprising a plurality of stations and a first communication channel, wherein said stations communicate using messages transmission over said first communications channel, the method comprising:generating a plurality non-overlapping transmission time intervals of variable durations;grouping said time intervals into a plurality of clusters, wherein the number of said time intervals and time distances between them varies within each of said clusters;forming a plurality of sequences of said clusters, wherein the time distance from the end of one of said clusters comprising each sequence to the beginning of the next of said clusters comprising same sequence is such that any of said stations transmitting in said sequence will learn a status information of said message transmission prior to commencement of next of said clusters; andsending said message transmission from said stations during said time intervals via said first communication channel.