Apparatus and method for managing variable-sized data slots within a time division multiple access frame
First Claim
1. In a network having a master device and a plurality of slave devices in network communication to said master device, a Medium Access Control layer protocol for transmission and reception of network packets comprising a Time Division Multiple Access frame definition, said frame definition having a start-of-frame section, a command section, and a data slot section containing a plurality of variable-length data slots.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A reliable Medium Access Control layer protocol and method employing centralized management of communication in a Time Division Multiple Access network architecture. The Medium Access Control layer protocol implements Quality of Service guaranties to the layers of the Open Systems Interconnection reference model above the Medium Access Control layer by providing guaranteed bandwidth links within the bandwidth range specified by those layers. The Medium Access Control layer protocol further provides variable data slot requisition, variable data slot allocation, dynamic data slot reallocation, and data slot deallocation.
-
Citations
11 Claims
- 1. In a network having a master device and a plurality of slave devices in network communication to said master device, a Medium Access Control layer protocol for transmission and reception of network packets comprising a Time Division Multiple Access frame definition, said frame definition having a start-of-frame section, a command section, and a data slot section containing a plurality of variable-length data slots.
- 7. In a network system having a master device and a plurality of slave devices in network communication to said master device, a frame definition for use in Medium Access Control layer protocol transmission comprising a Time Division Multiple Access frame, said frame definition comprising a start-of-frame section, a command section, and a data slot section comprising a plurality of variable-length data slots.
-
10. In a network system having a master device and a plurality of slave devices in network communication with said master device, said network system employing a Time Division Multiple Access frame comprising a master sync section, a command section and a data slot section having a plurality of variable-length data slots, a method for assigning said variable-length data slots comprising the steps of:
-
(a) periodically transmitting an ALOHA message to invite protocol messages by said master device;
(b) receiving a data link request with Quality of Service parameters by a source slave device from an OSI layer above said Medium Access Control layer, said Quality of Service parameters including a bandwidth range requirement for data transfer;
(c) transmitting a data link request by said source slave device to said master device in response to said aloha message, said data link request including said bandwidth range for data transfer and a target slave device for communication;
(d) receiving said data link request by said master device;
(e) determining the availability of said source slave device and said target slave device for communication;
(f) providing a data slot assignment by said master device to said source slave device and said target slave device, said data slot assignment having a start time for communication and a slot length having a bit length within said bandwidth range; and
(g) communicating said data slot assignment by said master device to said source slave device and said target slave device. - View Dependent Claims (11)
-
Specification