Patent ID: 9577954
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: H04L,H04N,H04W

Claim:
1. A time domain duplex (TDD) system configured to facilitate signaling between a network and a plurality of end stations (ESs), the system comprising: a plurality of switches connected between the network and the ESs, the switches being operable between an upstream position and a downstream position, the upstream position allowing upstream signaling from one or more ESs of the plurality of ESs to the network, the downstream position allowing downstream signaling from the network to the one or more ESs; and a controller configured to facilitate: compliance of the ESs and the switches with a TDD schedule, the TDD schedule specifying: (a) upstream transmission slots during which the ESs are authorized to transmit signaling to the network, (b) downstream position slots during which the switches are to be in the downstream position, and (c) upstream position slots during which the switches are to be in the upstream position; and a learning process for identifying each one or more of the switches defining each of a plurality of paths communicatively connecting a corresponding one of the ESs with the network; wherein the learning process includes the controller: i) instructing a first ES of the ESs to repeatedly transmit a test signal to the network throughout a first period of time; ii) during the first period: iii) determining each of the switches within a first path of the plurality of paths corresponding with the first ES depending on whether the test signal reaches or fails to reach the network during a corresponding one of the intervals.