Patent ID: 8457146
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: H04J,H04L

Abstract:
1. A system for use with a plurality of end stations, the end stations being operable with at least one of a user and a user device to output data packets for transmission over the network, the plurality of end stations generating data transmission requests when desiring to transport data packets over a network and outputting the data packets according to data transport instructions received in response thereto, the system comprising: an aggregating unit operable in response to receipt of the data transmission requests to provide the data transport instructions to the plurality of end stations, the aggregating unit generating the data transport instructions such that the data packets are scheduled for transport according to network space available on the network, the network space being finite and defined relative to a plurality of intersecting frequency and time intervals, the aggregating unit scheduling data packets associated with a first classification criteria for transport across a first number of frequency intervals and a first number of time intervals and a second traffic classification criteria for transport across a second number of frequency intervals and a second number of time intervals, the second number of time intervals being greater than the first number of time intervals; wherein: the aggregating unit provides the end stations with a minislot grid that references each intersection of the frequency and time intervals as a minislot having a unique reference ID; the transport instructions include a listing of references IDs for the minislots scheduled to be used for transporting the data packets; and the end stations cross-reference the reference IDs with the minislot grid to determine time and frequency intervals during which the data packets associated therewith are scheduled for transport.