Abstract:
A time division multiplexed system is disclosed in which communication messages among a wide area site and a plurality of substantially scattered local sites are communicated on a radio frequency channel which is divided into a plurality of time slots, wherein at least one of the time slots is further divided into a plurality of subslots. Communication units operating in the wide area site communicate communication messages during the time slots, and the communication units operating in the local sites communicate communication messages during the subslots which are assigned to each of the local sites.
Abstract:
A communication resource is subdivided as a function of time into a plurality of time slots (210), which may then be further subdivided on a non-periodic basis into a number of sub-slots (220). In a slot or sub-slot, communication units (101) may utilize the communication resource according to a specific set of access methods defined for that slot or sub-slot. In one embodiment the time slots are subdivided on a non-periodic basis into at least two random access sub-slots, during which communication units may either request one or more reserved time slots, or send unreserved data packets (240). In response to requests for reserved time slots from a requesting communication unit, one or more reserved time slots are provided for the use of the requesting communication unit.
Abstract:
A method of providing a communication unit (101) access to a shared communication resource. In the communication unit, a clock (123) is maintained, and the unit detects the time when an inhibit period on the shared communication resource begins, and the time at which it concludes. When access to the shared communication resource is desired, the unit attempts to access the communication resource based on the time at which access was desired, as well as the times at which a detected inhibit condition began and concluded. A virtual time clock runs only during non-inhibit periods. Access to the communication resource is then based on when the virtual time clock equals the desired access time.
Abstract:
A radio communication system controller embodies the present invention by providing extended use (306) of a communication resource (106) to a plurality of communication units. The inventive method includes the steps of assigning (402) a first communication resource to a first communication unit, and then temporarily configuring (406) the assigned communication resource as a reserved resource. The controller then receives (408), from a second communication unit, a request to transmit a second communication on the assigned communication resource. Lastly, the controller re-configures (412) the assigned communication resource to allow transmission of the second communication on the assigned communication resource.
Abstract:
A communication resource is subdivided as a function of time into a plurality of time slots (210). These time slots are further subdivided on a non-periodic basis into at least two random access sub-slots (220), during which communication units (101) may request one or more reserved time slots (240). In response to such requests for reserved time slots from a requesting communication unit during one of the random access sub-slots, one or more reserved time slots are provided for use by the requesting communication unit.