Patent ID: 8964775
Filing Date: 2015-02-24
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for encoding a slot table for a communications controller of a communications network, the method comprising: classifying branches of the communications network that are connected to the communications controller into a plurality of groups, wherein each of the plurality of groups includes multiple branches; and generating a slot table entry for a time slot for accessing the communications network through the communications controller based on the plurality of groups, wherein generating the slot table entry comprises generating the slot table entry that, for each of the branches of the communications network that are connected to the communications controller, specifies into which of the plurality of groups a particular branch is classified so that the communications controller only allows communications devices connected to branches in each of the plurality of groups to communicate with each other through the communications controller in the time slot, wherein generating the slot table entry comprises generating the slot table entry that, for each of the branches of the communications network that are connected to the communications controller, specifies into which of the plurality of groups a particular branch is classified and whether or not the particular branch is connected to a communications device that is allowed to send data through the communications controller in the time slot, wherein generating the slot table entry comprises generating the slot table entry using N×┌log