Method for controlling channel access priorities in a frequency hopping local area network

In a frequency hopping communication system having a plurality of communication devices in communication with each other where data is transmitted in a channel selected from a group of frequencies, the selected frequencies defining a hopping set, transmissions occurring within a predetermined period of time defining a dwell, where an attempted access of the channel occurs based on assigning one of at least a first and a second probability of transmission value to the communication device, a method for prioritizing the data transmissions, the steps comprising:

• a) defining a predetermined number of time slots at termination of a data transmission, each time slot having a predetermined duration during which time fragmented data may be transmitted, where each slot has an associated data type;
• b) the communication device accessing the channel and transmitting the fragmented data when the data type of the fragmented data corresponds to the data type of the slot;
• c) assigning the second probability of transmission value to the communication device when the step of accessing the channel succeeds;
• d) reassigning the first probability of transmission value to the communication device when the transmission of the fragmented data is complete;
• and
• e) iteratively repeating step (c) through step (d) where communication devices assigned the second probability of transmission value retain the second probability of transmission value between dwells until the transmission of the fragmented data is complete.