Method of communicating first and second data types

Apparatus for transmitting via communication frequencies first and second data types to at least one other station of a network comprising

• a transmitter,
• a processor adapted to be responsive to data of the first and second data types for driving the transmitter, the processor being arranged for causing the transmitter to (a) transmit data of the first and second data types to the at least one other station in a series of sequential frames on communication frequencies, each of the frames including sequential periods, each of the frames having a communication frequency, (b) change the communication frequency from a first frame in the series to the next frame in the series, (c) transmit the data of the first data type during one of the periods of each frame, (d) transmit the data of the second data type during another of the periods of each frame, and (e) repeat the communication of the data of the second data type during an initial period of the next frame if the data of the second data type are not successfully communicated during the another period of the first frame.

Apparatus for transmitting via communication frequencies isochronous and asynchronous data to at least one other station in a network comprising:

• a transmitter,
• a processor adapted to be responsive to data of the first and second data types for driving the transmitter, the processor being arranged for causing the transmitter to (a) transmit the data in a series of frames, each of the frames having a communication frequency, (b) change the communication frequency for data transmission from one frame in the series to the next frame in the series, (c) during transmission or retransmission of isochronous data, form at least some of the frames so they include at least a first period, a second period and a third period, the second period occurring after the first period and before the third period, (d) transmit the asynchronous data in said second period, (e) transmit the isochronous data in said third period, and (f) retransmit the isochronous data in the first period of the next frame in the series if the isochronous data are not successfully transmitted in the third period of said one frame.

Apparatus for transmitting data to at least one other station in a network comprising:

• a transmitter,
• a processor adapted to be responsive to data of the first and second data types for driving the transmitter, the processor being arranged for causing the transmitter to (a) transmit data in a series of frames, each of the frames having a communication frequency, (b) change the communication frequency for data transmission from one frame in the series to the next frame in the series, (c) during transmission or retransmission of isochronous data, form at least some of the frames so they include at least a first period, a second period and a third period, the second period occurring after the first period and before the third period, (d) transmit asynchronous data in said second period according to a contention access mechanism, (e) transmit the isochronous data in said third period according to a contention free access mechanism, and (f) retransmit, according to a contention free access mechanism, the isochronous data in the first period of said next frame in the series if the isochronous data are not successfully transmitted in the third period of said one frame.