Patent ID: 6751231
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A network for communicating packets of data, the network comprising:a network medium; a plurality of devices for generating packets of data for transmission on said network medium, said plurality of devices including at least one of a real-time device configured to generate real-time packets of data and a non-real-time device configured to generate non-real-time packets of data; and a plurality of device adapters each including: a device interface for connecting to one of said devices and for receiving said packets generated thereby; a network interface for connecting to said network medium; and a processor connected to said interfaces for transmitting said packets received at said device interface to said network interface; said plurality of device adapters creating a frame of time, said frame being substantially synchronized in said plurality of device adapters and repeating periodically, said frame of time including a plurality of time phases, said plurality of time phases including a free-access phase during which each of said device adapters is able to contend for access to said network medium and transmit said packets; each of said device adapters capable of having at least one of said time phases assigned uniquely thereto and transmitting said packets received at said device interface to said network medium during said assigned time phase, and wherein said network is wireless.