Abstract: A method includes scheduling a grid of sub-burst slots in a media access plan, each sub-burst slot having a shorter duration than a minimal transmission burst duration and representing an opportunity for the initiation of a data transmission by a network device. A network device includes a sub-burst slot scheduler and a sub-burst slot grid aligner. The sub-burst slot scheduler publicizes the sub-burst slot media access plan to the network devices. The sub-burst slot grid aligner aligns the sub-burst slot grid in the event of a transmission.

Abstract: A host and multiple user stations form a system that provides computer functionality to multiple users by equipping the host with a host multifunction unit and by equipping the user stations with station multifunction units. Both the host and the station multifunction units have communication units and processing circuitry. The communication unit of the host interfaces with the communication units of the user stations to enable mutual signal exchange. The processing circuitry of the host multifunction unit enables the CPU of the host to send and receive signals to and from the user stations. The processing circuitry of the station multifunction units enables signals sent from the host to be forwarded to a display unit of the user station. The processing circuitry of the station multifunction units also enables signals from an input unit of the user stations to be forwarded to the host.

Abstract: A network device includes a scheduler and a transmitter. The scheduler creates a media access plan (MAP) that has overlapping transmission opportunities and the transmitter transmits the MAP. Another network device includes a carrier sensor and a transmitter. The carrier sensor senses the availability of a network medium for transmission and the transmitter transmits data of a service during an allotted overlapping transmission opportunity if the carrier sensor indicates that the network medium is available. In another embodiment, the network device includes a unit which receives QoS parameters of at least one transmitted service from a QoS parameter determiner and a scheduler. The scheduler creates a MAP for a plurality of services to be transmitted, the scheduler defining the transmission opportunities based on their QoS parameters as received from either the parameter unit or applications providing the services.

Abstract: A method includes providing transmission opportunity synchronization information from a transmitting network device to other network devices attempting to follow the same transmission opportunities schedule as the transmitting network device. A network device includes a transceiver to transmit and receive transmission opportunity synchronization information, and a unit to utilize transmission opportunity synchronization information received from another network device to adhere to the same transmission opportunity schedule as the other network device.

Abstract: A method includes providing transmission opportunity synchronization information from a transmitting network device to other network devices attempting to follow the same transmission opportunities schedule as the transmitting network device. A network device includes a transceiver to transmit and receive transmission opportunity synchronization information, and a unit to utilize transmission opportunity synchronization information received from another network device to adhere to the same transmission opportunity schedule as the other network device.

Abstract: A method includes scheduling a grid of sub-burst slots in a media access plan, each sub-burst slot having a shorter duration than a minimal transmission burst duration and representing an opportunity for the initiation of a data transmission by a network device. A network device includes a sub-burst slot scheduler and a sub-burst slot grid aligner. The sub-burst slot scheduler publicizes the sub-burst slot media access plan to the network devices. The sub-burst slot grid aligner aligns the sub-burst slot grid in the event of a transmission.

Abstract: A network device includes a scheduler and a transmitter. The scheduler creates a media access plan (MAP) that has overlapping transmission opportunities and the transmitter transmits the MAP. Another network device includes a carrier sensor and a transmitter. The carrier sensor senses the availability of a network medium for transmission and the transmitter transmits data of a service during an allotted overlapping transmission opportunity if the carrier sensor indicates that the network medium is available. In another embodiment, the network device includes a unit which receives QoS parameters of at least one transmitted service from a QoS parameter determiner and a scheduler. The scheduler creates a MAP for a plurality of services to be transmitted, the scheduler defining the transmission opportunities based on their QoS parameters as received from either the parameter unit or applications providing the services.

Abstract: A telecommunications system including an at least partially digital telephone link having an analog end portion, first and second modems disposed along the link, and analog/digital devices disposed along the link intermediate the modems which are operative to support communications between the first and second modems substantially at bit rates in excess of 28.8 Kbps.

Abstract: A communication system comprising: a first multiplexing/demutliplexing stage positioned at a first locality and connected to a telephone interchange; a plurality of second multiplexing/demultiplexing stage positioned in a plurality of second localities apart from said first locality; a communication link, such as a transmission line or radio link which connects said first multiplexing/demultiplexing stage to each of said second multiplexing/demultipleg stages; and a plurality of subscribers lines connected to each of a plurality said second multiplexing/demultiplexing stages.