초록 ▼

A protocol, method, and apparatus for managing network communications which are particularly well suited for ATM communications across a wireless medium. Contiguous time slots within a frame are allocated to each node having traffic to send. Each node is assured a nominal bandwidth, and excess bandw

A protocol, method, and apparatus for managing network communications which are particularly well suited for ATM communications across a wireless medium. Contiguous time slots within a frame are allocated to each node having traffic to send. Each node is assured a nominal bandwidth, and excess bandwidth is distributed by demand. The allocation of excess bandwidth can be dependent upon the size of the buffer at each node, as well as the time-criticality of each message. Nodes communicate their requests for allocation by appending such control information to the first of their transmitted packets. The allocation, of each node's transmit and receive time slots, is transmitted to all the nodes at the beginning of each frame. Thereafter, each node need not participate on the network until their allocated time periods, thereby allowing portable devices to enter inactive states to conserve power. The network is operated in a connection mode; connections are established in a relatively non-interfering manner by the use of periodically occurring beacons. Inactive, unconnected, nodes need only monitor the network during these beacon periods, further allowing for power conservation.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]communicating a request for an allocation of time within a frame period from each active node,allocating a first time of transmission and a first duration of transmission for transmitting messages to said active nodes;allocating a second time of transmission and a second du

[What is claimed is:] [1.]communicating a request for an allocation of time within a frame period from each active node,allocating a first time of transmission and a first duration of transmission for transmitting messages to said active nodes;allocating a second time of transmission and a second duration of transmission within said frame period from each of said active nodes, in dependence upon said request for allocation,communicating said allocation of second time and second duration to each of said active nodes within said frame period, andtransmitting packets from each of said active nodes in accordance with said allocation of second time and second duration within said frame period,wherein said allocating step includes:determining a delay tolerance level associated with each of said packets, andallocating said second time of transmission and said second duration of transmission to each of said active nodes, in dependence upon said request for allocation, and in dependence upon said tolerance levels.