Abstract: A method and a system are described to assign bandwidth in a point-to-multipoint ATM transmission system, comprising a centralized unit or Master Station (MS) and a plurality peripheral stations (PSs), in particular to assign transmission bandwidth on the channel from PSs to MS, by assigning transmission abilitations in defined time slots sending messages called Grants on the channel from MS to PSs. The system assigns bandwidth in the system using three different bandwidth allocation modalities, a static modality, and two separate dynamic modalities.

Abstract: A method for transmission of data through an optical network includes defining transmission frames for upstream and downstream directions between an optical line termination and at least one optical network unit of an optical network. A multiple frame is defined consisting of an integer number multiple of a group of frames. A distinct value is assigned to a header portion of a useful field of a first fundamental block in the first frame of each multi-frame. The distinct value complies with a requisite composition of a header portion of the asynchronous transfer mode. A useful field is assigned to a fundamental block within the multi-frame such that each slot of the fundamental block has a digital data format compatible with the synchronous digital hierarchy.