Network for transferring data packets and method for operating the network

A network for transferring data packets, with multiple user stations, the data packets being transferred over a set of channels with the frequency-hopping method and the channels being in this context selected for data transfer in accordance with at least one frequency-hopping pattern in temporal succession, in which the network has at least two basic networks each with a central station and a limited number of user stations;

• and a separate frequency-hopping pattern that is orthogonal to the frequency-hopping patterns of immediately adjacent basic networks is allocated to each basic network, wherein the first central station is connected to the second central station for exchanging data packets for synchronization purposes wherein the first central station is connected to the second central station via one of the user stations coupled to the first central station, and wherein the first central station is connected to the second central station by a wireless connection between the first central station and one of the user stations and a wired connection between one of the user stations and the second central station.

A method for transferring data packets in a network of multiple user stations, the network being divided into at least two basic networks, each of the basic networks having a central station and user stations, the method comprising:

• transferring data packets over a set of channels utilizing frequency-hopping, the channels being selected for data transfer in accordance with at least one frequency-hopping pattern in temporal succession, wherein each basic network employs a separate frequency-hopping pattern that is orthogonal to the frequency-hopping pattern of the immediately adjacent basic networks;
• and
• exchanging data packets for synchronization purposes between a central station of one of said at least two basic networks and a central station of another of said at least two basic networks via a user station, wherein the central station of one of said at least two basic networks is connected to a user station via a wireless connection and the central station of another of said at least two basic networks is connected to the user station via a wired connection.