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US 5,963,557 AGranted
High capacity reservation multiple access network with multiple shared unidirectional paths
OwnerJohn W. Enginventor
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OwnerJohn W. Enginventor
Estimating the term…
A method and system are disclosed for enabling point-to-point and multicast communication in a network using three types of communication channels, namely, one or more upstream payload channels, one or more upstream control channels and one or more downstream channels. At least the upstream control and upstream payload channels can carry bitstreams simultaneously; a bitstream may be simultaneously carried on the upstream control and upstream payload channels of a shared medium during overlapping periods of time. Each channel illustratively is divided into slots or mini-slots. Each upstream payload channel is assigned for carrying upstream directed payload bitstreams from stations to a central controller. Each upstream control channel is assigned for carrying upstream directed control bitstreams, such as reservation request bitstreams requesting reservation of time slots of the upstream payload channel, from the stations to the central controller. At least one downstream channel is assigned for carrying at least downstream directed control bitstreams, such as bitstreams containing acknowledgments, collision, status of reservation request, and also containing indications of assigned slots in the upstream payload channel, from the central controller to the stations. The downstream channel may also illustratively carry payload bitstreams.
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A multiple access method via a shared medium of a network, said network comprising a centralized controller and a plurality of stations connected to said centralized controller over a shared medium, wherein a first distinct shared unidirectional transmission path is established between said centralized controller and said stations for broadcasting data from said centralized controller to said stations, at least second and third distinct shared unidirectional transmission paths for transmitting data from said stations to said centralized controller, wherein the first path being a downstream channel and said second and third paths each being an upstream channel, said multiple access method comprising the steps of:
A multiple access method via a shared medium of a network, said network comprising a centralized controller and a plurality of stations connected to said centralized controller over a shared medium, wherein a first distinct shared unidirectional transmission path is established between said centralized controller and said stations for broadcasting data from said centralized controller to said stations, at least second and third distinct shared unidirectional transmission paths for transmitting data from said stations to said centralized controller, wherein the first path being a downstream channel and said second and third paths each being an upstream channel, said multiple access method comprising the steps of:
A multiple access method via a shared medium of a network, said network comprising a centralized controller and a plurality of stations connected to said centralized controller over a shared medium, wherein a first distinct shared unidirectional transmission path is established between said centralized controller and said stations for broadcasting data from said centralized controller to said stations, at least second and third distinct shared unidirectional transmission paths for transmitting data from said stations to said centralized controller, wherein the first path being a downstream channel and said second and third paths each being an upstream channel, said multiple access method comprising the steps of:
A multiple access method via a shared medium of a network, said network comprising a centralized controller and a plurality of stations connected to said centralized controller over a shared medium, wherein a first distinct shared unidirectional transmission path is established between said centralized controller and said stations for broadcasting data from said centralized controller to said stations, at least second and third distinct shared unidirectional transmission paths for transmitting data from said stations to said centralized controller, wherein the first path being a downstream channel and said second and third paths each being an upstream channel, said multiple access method comprising the steps of:
A multiple access method via a shared medium of a network, said network comprising a centralized controller and a plurality of stations connected to said centralized controller over a shared medium, wherein a first distinct shared unidirectional transmission path is established between said centralized controller and said stations for broadcasting data from said centralized controller to said stations, at least second and third distinct shared unidirectional transmission paths for transmitting data from said stations to said centralized controller, wherein the first path being a downstream channel and said second and third paths each being an upstream channel, said multiple access method comprising the steps of:
A multiple access method via a shared medium of a network, said network comprising a centralized controller and a plurality of stations connected to said centralized controller over a shared medium, wherein a first distinct shared unidirectional transmission path is established between said centralized controller and said stations for broadcasting data from said centralized controller to said stations, at least second and third distinct shared unidirectional transmission paths for transmitting data from said stations to said centralized controller, wherein the first path being a downstream channel and said second and third paths each being an upstream channel, said multiple access method comprising the steps of:
A multiple access method via a shared medium of a network, said network comprising a centralized controller and a plurality of stations connected to said centralized controller over a shared medium, wherein a first distinct shared unidirectional transmission path is established between said centralized controller and said stations for broadcasting data from said centralized controller to said stations, at least second and third distinct shared unidirectional transmission paths for transmitting data from said stations to said centralized controller, wherein the first path being a downstream channel and said second and third paths each being an upstream channel, said multiple access method comprising the steps of:
A multiple access method via a shared medium of a network, said network comprising a centralized controller and a plurality of stations connected to said centralized controller over a shared medium, wherein a first distinct shared unidirectional transmission path is established between said centralized controller and said stations for broadcasting data from said centralized controller to said stations, at least second and third distinct shared unidirectional transmission paths for transmitting data from said stations to said centralized controller, wherein the first path being a downstream channel and said second and third paths each being an upstream channel, said multiple access method comprising the steps of:
A multiple access method via a shared medium of a network, said network comprising a centralized controller and a plurality of stations connected to said centralized controller over a shared medium, wherein a first distinct shared unidirectional transmission path is established between said centralized controller and said stations for broadcasting data from said centralized controller to said stations, at least second and third distinct shared unidirectional transmission paths for transmitting data from said stations to said centralized controller, wherein the first path being a downstream channel and said second and third paths each being an upstream channel, said multiple access method comprising the steps of:
A multiple access method via a shared medium of a network, said network comprising a centralized controller and a plurality of stations connected to said centralized controller over a shared medium, wherein a first distinct shared unidirectional transmission path is established between said centralized controller and said stations for broadcasting data from said centralized controller to said stations, at least second and third distinct shared unidirectional transmission paths for transmitting data from said stations to said centralized controller, wherein the first path being a downstream channel and said second and third paths each being an upstream channel, said multiple access method comprising the steps of:
A circuit located at a station for interfacing said station to a centralized controller in a network comprising:
A circuit located at a station for interfacing said station to a centralized controller in a network comprising
A circuit located at a centralized controller for interfacing said centralized controller to a plurality of stations in a network comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.