Dynamic search tree for resolution of contention between transmitting stations

摘要

In a contention resolution system for use in connection with transmitting and receiving data over a communication medium, a first station determines a contention based variable E for a future upstream data frame. The variable E indicates a number of resolution slots (i) which result from expansion of a contention slot of a previous upstream data frame containing contention between the second station and other stations, and (ii) within which previously contending data may be re-transmitted by the second station. The first station inserts the variable E in a downstream data frame for transmission over the communication medium to the second station. The second station receives the variable E from the downstream data frame. The second station randomly selects one of the E resolution slots, and the second station inserts the previously contending data in the randomly selected resolution slot for re-transmission in an upstream data frame.