Abstract: In a communications network wherein a central station (CS) is coupled to a plurality of network terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4) via the cascade connection of a common link (L) and respective individual links (L1, L2, L3, L4), and wherein the network terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4) transmit information in a time multiplexed way towards the central station (CS), the central station (CS) assigns timeslots for the upstream transmission to the network terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4) by broadcasting group identifiers (GI1, GI2, GI3, GI4). Each group identifier (GI2) identifies a precomposed group (G2) of network terminals (T2, T3) which respect a predetermined order for occupying upstream timeslots. In this way, the central station (CS) can assign a plurality of timeslots to a plurality of network terminals (T2, T3) by transmission of only one single group identifier (GI2).

Abstract: A method to assign upstream timeslots and codes to a network terminal in a point to multipoint communications network includes assigning at least one code to the network terminal for inclusion within a network terminal grant assigning upstream timeslots to the network terminal. A medium access controller performs the method for assigning upstream timeslots and codes. The network terminal is adapted to extract codes from the network terminal grant, and to encode upstream data packets with codes before the upstream transmission of the encoded data packets, upon receipt of this network terminal grant.

Abstract: A method to assign upstream timeslots and codes to a network terminal in a point to multipoint communications network includes a step of assigning at least one code to said network terminal for inclusion within a network terminal grant assigning upstream timeslots to said network terminal. A medium access controller for performing said method is as well described. The network terminal is adapted to extract said at least one code from said network terminal grant, and to encode upstream data packets with said at least one code before upstream transmission of the encoded data packets, upon receipt of this network terminal grant.

Abstract: In a communications network wherein a central station (CS) is coupled to a plurality of network terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4) via the cascade connection of a common link (L) and respective individual links (L1, L2, L3, L4), and wherein the network terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4) transmit information in a time multiplexed way towards the central station (CS), the central station (CS) assigns timeslots for the upstream transmission to the network terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4) by broadcasting group identifiers (GI1, GI2, GI3, GI4). Each group identifier (GI2) identifies a precomposed group (G2) of network terminals (T2, T3) which respect a predetermined order for occupying upstream timeslots. In this way, the central station (CS) can assign a plurality of timeslots to a plurality of network terminals (T2, T3) by transmission of only one single group identifier (GI2).

Abstract: In a communications network wherein a central station (CS) is coupled to a plurality of network terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4) via the cascade connection of a common link (L) and respective individual links (L1, L2, L3, L4), and wherein the network terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4) transmit information in a time multiplexed way towards the central station (CS), the central station (CS) assigns timeslots for the upstream transmission to the network terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4) by broadcasting group identifiers (GI1, GI2, GI3, GI4). Each group identifier (GI2) identifies a precomposed group (GI2) of network terminals (T2, T3) which respect a predetermined order for occupying upstream timeslots. In this way, the central station (CS) can assign a plurality of timeslots to a plurality of network terminals (T2, T3) by transmission of only one single group identifier (GI2).

Abstract: As long as a queuing network node (Q) is not congested, it returns to the source terminals (S1, S2, S3, S4) transmitting data packets through this queuing network node (Q), upper packet rate values (ER) which are proportional to the actual packet rate values (CCR). The transmit rate of a source terminal (S1, S2, S3, S4) upon receipt of the upper packet rate value (ER), is controlled so that it stays below this upper packet rate value. In this way, the queuing network node (Q) allows its aggregate input rate to increase in a controlled, smooth way and does not rely on the sources (S1, S2, S3, S4) themselves. Once the queuing network node (Q) gets congested a fair share algorithm is used to determine which source terminals have to decrease their transmit rates and which source terminals are allowed to further increase their transmit rates.

Abstract: A bursty traffic multiplexing arrangement (A) includes a multiplexing unit (MUX) to multiplex a plurality of bursty input flows (IF1, . . . , IFI, . . . , IFN) into an output flow (OF). Congestion due to insufficient throughput capacity of the multiplexing unit (MUX) is avoided by incorporating an input shaping device (ISDI) for each input (MII) of the multiplexing unit (MUX). Data elements constituting such an input flow (IFI) are stored in an input buffer (IBI) which forms part of the corresponding input shaping device (ISDI), and are applied to the multiplexing unit (MUX) at a rate (BI) which does not exceed a predetermined maximum input buffer reading rate (BIMAX) associated to this input buffer (IBI). Furthermore, via feedback input flow rate control information (IFRI), the input flow rates (A1, . . . , AI, . . . , AN) can be controlled to thereby avoid input buffer overload.

Abstract: A method is described to estimate the current datapacket rate CCR.sub.i called herein current cell rate, of a connection out of a plurality of connections which are carrying datapackets via a multiplexed transmission channel in a communication network. The method includes the steps of storing in a buffer (B) incoming datapackets of the connections, determining the total number of datapackets BC.sub.TO in the buffer (B), determining the number of datapackets of the connection BC.sub.i in the buffer (B), measuring an aggregate input datapacket rate C.sub.IN of the buffer and estimating the current datapacket rate CCR.sub.