Patent ID: 8085807

Claim:
A method for scheduling of traffic in wireless networks, whereas said network comprises real-time stations intending to send real-time traffic and best-effort stations sending best effort traffic, said method comprising: transmitting by a primary real-time station periodically a real-time access marker to thereby define rounds and to advertise the total number of real-time stations which are already sending real-time traffic; obtaining a sequence number by each station in said network which intends to send real-time traffic; based on the sequence number obtained by a station, defining a fixed backoff time at which a packet from this station is transmitted after the start of a round to thereby establish a sequence in which the real-time packets are sent by the different real-time stations, wherein obtaining the sequence number comprises: overhearing for a predetermined period of time the traffic by said station which intends to send real-time traffic; and if from said overhearing said station concludes that there is already a primary station transmitting real-time access markers which advertises the total number of real-time stations, obtaining by said station which intends to send real-time traffic its own sequence number based on the number of real-time stations which already are sending real-time traffic by adding one to the total number of real-time stations which has been advertised by said real-time access markers.