Apparatus and method for providing transmitter hierarchy control for efficient channel management

摘要

Apparatus and method for providing a transmit hierachy for efficiently managing a communications channel. Stations using a common communications channel are equipped with an apparatus for issuing a plurality of consecutive delay times. If energy is not detected on the channel during one of the consecutive time delays, the station is permitted to transmit. If energy is detected a shorter subsequent time delay is issued and the channel is again monitored. Stations are arranged in a transmit hierachy according to the earliest which have attempted access to the channel.