Patent ID: 6574198
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A method for maintaining a signaling link between a first terminal and a second terminal in a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:transmitting periodic receiver ready frames from said first terminal to said second terminal when there are no data frames to be transmitted therebetween; determining a temporal period during which a predetermined condition will affect communications with said second terminal; transmitting a pause frame from said second terminal to said first terminal prior to said temporal period, wherein said pause frame comprises information indicating the beginning and duration of said temporal period; pausing the transmission of data frames and said periodic receiver ready frames from said first terminal to said second terminal during said temporal period; and resuming the transmission of data frames and said periodic receiver ready frames from said first terminal to said second terminal subsequent to the expiration of said temporal period, whereby it is unnecessary to re-establish said signaling link between said first terminal and a second terminal upon the expiration of said temporal period.