Communications system including synchronization information for timing upstream transmission of data and ability to vary slot duration
First Claim
1. A method for enabling communications between a first station and a plurality of subscriber stations, the first station connected to the subscriber stations on a first channel that is shared among said plurality of subscriber stations, said method comprising:
- transmitting downstream data from the first station to the plurality of subscriber stations on the first channel, wherein the downstream data includes a synchronization signal including information defining the timing of variable-length slots for response by the subscriber stations; and
transmitting upstream data from the plurality of subscriber stations to the first station, wherein the upstream data is synchronized by the synchronization signal on the first channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer network for high-speed data communication, has a data transmission cable with a root and at least one leaf node wherein the upstream transmission is synchronized by information received on a downstream channel. Each client station receives data on a first frequency band, and transmits data on a second frequency band according to synchronization signals received on the first frequency band. The client station'"'"'s transmission packets may include requests for reserved slots on the second frequency band for subsequent transmissions, and the SCS has a scheduler operable to determine a start time for requested reserved slots, and transmits the start time for the requested reserved slots. The client stations are operable to wait to continue transmission after waiting for the start time.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for enabling communications between a first station and a plurality of subscriber stations, the first station connected to the subscriber stations on a first channel that is shared among said plurality of subscriber stations, said method comprising:
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transmitting downstream data from the first station to the plurality of subscriber stations on the first channel, wherein the downstream data includes a synchronization signal including information defining the timing of variable-length slots for response by the subscriber stations; and transmitting upstream data from the plurality of subscriber stations to the first station, wherein the upstream data is synchronized by the synchronization signal on the first channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer network for high-speed data communication, comprising:
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a data transmission cable having a root and at least one leaf node; a signal conversion system attached to the root, the signal conversion system including a transmitter that transmits downstream data onto the cable on a downstream channel in a first frequency band, the downstream data including synchronization information for the transmission of upstream data, and a receiver that receives data from the client stations on an upstream channel in a second frequency band; and at least one client station, each client station attached to a distinct leaf node, each client station including a receiver that receives data on the first frequency band, logic to derive timing information for a variable duration slot transmitted by the signal conversion system and to synchronize transmission on a second frequency band in accordance with the timing information, and a transmitter that transmits data on the second frequency band according to the synchronization signal received on the first frequency band. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for enabling communications between a first station and a subscriber station, the first station connected to the subscriber station on a first channel, said method comprising:
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receiving downstream data from the first station at a subscriber station on the first channel, wherein the downstream data includes a synchronization signal including information defining the timing of variable-length slots for response by the subscriber station; and transmitting upstream data from the subscriber station to the first station, wherein an upstream data is synchronized by the synchronization signal on the first channel. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification