Method and apparatus for detecting collisions on a network

Apparatus for detecting a collision between signal transmissions on a carrier medium in a network, the apparatus including:

• a transmitter coupled to transmit a first access identifier over the carrier medium, the first access identifier having a predetermined duration and including a pulse at a temporal location within the first access identifier specific thereto;
• a receiver coupled to receive a second access identifier transmitted over the carrier medium, the second access identifier having a predetermined duration and including a pulse at a temporal location within the second access identifier;
• and
• a logic circuit, coupled to the receiver, that determines whether the temporal location of the pulse within the second access identifier corresponds to the temporal location of the pulse within the first access identifier and, if not, that detects a collision on the network.

An adapter for providing a coupling between a network station and a carrier medium, the adapter including:

• a network station interface;
• a carrier medium interface;
• a transmitter, coupled to the carrier medium interface, configured to transmit a station access identifier over the carrier medium, the station access identifier being associated with the network station and including a pulse having a temporal location within the station access identifier specific thereto;
• a receiver, coupled to the carrier medium interface, and configured to receive a further station access identifier transmitted over the carrier medium, the further station access identifier including a pulse at a temporal location;
• and
• a logic circuit, coupled to the receiver, configured to determine whether the temporal location of the pulse within the further station access identifier corresponds to the temporal location of the pulse within the station access identifier and, if not, to detect a collision on the network.