Patent ID: 6570886
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: H04B,H04Q

Abstract:
A time slot management method for use in a time division multiple access network which includes a main station (MS) coupled to each of a plurality of substations (S1, S2, S3, . . . , S15, S16) via the cascade connection of a common transmission link (Lc) and an individual user link (L1, L2, L3, . . . , L15, L16), said management method including broadcasting substation identities (TEA1, TEA12, TEA16, TEA3, TEA7, . . . ) in downstream information packets from said main station (MS) to said plurality of substations (S1, S2, S3, . . . , S15, S16) to allow each one of said plurality of substations (S1, S2, S3, . . . , S15, S16) upon detection of its own substation identity to transfer a predetermined amount of upstream information packets in predetermined upstream timeslots to said main station (MS),characterized in that said time slot management method additionally includes embedding at least part of said substation identities (TEA12, TEA3, TEA7, . . . ) in a physical layer operation and maintenance part (PLOAM), said physical layer operation and maintenance part being a predefined part of one of said downstream information packets broadcasted from said main station (MS) to said plurality of substations (S1, S2, S3, . . . , S15, S16) to transport operation and maintenance information packets related to operation and maintenance functions, wherein said substation identities are transmit enable addresses.