Communications network with individualized access delays

摘要

A broadband communications network includes a plurality of stations interconnected through selected forward and reverse channels by a network translator. Each station continuously monitors the forward channel for detecting the presence or absence of a forward channel carrier. A given station is allowed to transmit a data packet as modulation of the reverse channel carrier only after the expiration of a predetermined time interval during which no carrier is detected on the forward channel. By establishing the predetermined time interval for each respective station in inverse relation to the distance of the station from the network translator, a synchronized transmission time base as well as equalized station access is achieved for improving network performance.