Method for allocating a bandwidth between network terminals in a communication network and network including a medium access controller for performing such a method

摘要

A method for allocating a bandwidth between a plurality of network terminals (NTx) coupled, via a common link (L), to a main network station (LT) in a communication network. A medium access controller (MC) forwards permits to the network terminals, each permit containing a terminal identifier and allowing a predetermined share of bandwidth. It comprises two sets of counters, each set including one counter (Gx or Fx) for each terminal. The bandwidth is split into a guarantee bandwidth that is shared by operating the first set of counters and an excess bandwidth that is shared by operating the second set of counters. The guaranteed bandwidth is allocated according to fixed weights, and the excess bandwidth is also allocated according to weights. The weights for the excess bandwidth are either fixed or varying according to the load status of the terminals.