Abstract: This invention provides a method for substantially reducing the time drift f a network clock in a frequency hopping communications system, without the need for a master unit to keep network time. The automatic network time tracking mechanism of each receiver is disabled when a network time update is received within a critical period of time from the closest synchronization update time or frequency hop time. The critical period is defined as the time between the closest synchronization update time to the local time when reception occurs less one-half the minimum tracking adjustment of the receiver plus the minimum processing or decoding delay, and that closest synchronization update time plus one half the minimum tracking adjustment of the receiver plus the maximum processing or decoding delay.

Abstract: A method for reducing the synchronization overhead in Frequency Hopping communication systems. Generally, the method establishes a synchronization state during which a plurality of communications can take place without re-synchronization before each separate transmission. More particularly, the method establishes a synchronization period during which all the radios are initially synchronized, followed by a series of acknowledgment period and transmission periods during which any unit intending to transmit is assigned a specific time slot for such transmission.