Patent ID: 6172965
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: G10L,H04W

Abstract:
A method of multiplexing signals transmitted by a number of terminals onto a communications link; the bandwidth of the terminals exceeding the capacity of the link; the method comprising the steps of:i) monitoring the link for the occurrence of simultaneous transmission of signals over the link by two or more terminals;ii) assigning portions of the link capacity to the transmitting terminals; the sum of said portions being equal to or less than the capacity of the link;iii) varying an encoding rate of said signals transmitted by said terminals; andiv) varying a form of encoding, wherein said signals are digitally encoded; said bandwidth being varied by varying the rate of encoding; and wherein said signals are voice band signals and said encoding may be one of Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (ADPCM), Linear Predictive Coding (LPC), Adaptive Predictive Coding (APC), Multiple Excitation Linear Predictive Coding (MPC-LPC); whereby the bandwidth of the transmitted signals corresponds to the portions assigned to the terminals.