Method and apparatus for scheduling access to a CSMA communication medium

Claim 1

In a network including: a plurality of nodes, a communication medium shared by the plurality of nodes for permitting data transmissions between nodes, a carrier sense multiple access communication protocol that requires each data transmission on the communication medium to be accompanied by a carrier signal, a system for controlling access by a local node of the plurality of nodes to the communication medium, the system comprising: means for sensing the communication medium for the presence of a carrier signal to determine total transmission activity on the communication medium, wherein the sensing means comprises: first sampling circuitry for providing an indication of the presence or absence of a carrier signal on the communication medium at particular intervals.; first counting circuitry responsive to the first sampling circuitry for determining the number of intervals at which the presence of a carrier signal is indicated over a selected period of time; second sampling circuitry for providing an indication of a transmission on the communication medium by the local node at the particular intervals; and second counting circuitry responsive to the second sampling circuitry for determining the number of intervals at which a transmission by the local node is indicated over the selected period of time; and means for controlling a share of bandwidth used by the local node as a function of the total transmission activity on the communication medium, wherein the controlling means comprises: means for defining a first programmable limit on the share of bandwidth used by the local node when free time on the communication medium is less than a second programmable threshold value; programmable means for selectively scheduling a delay of variable length in accessing the communication medium when the local node seeks to transmit; and means for deriving a measure of the free time on the communication medium from the first counting circuitry and a measure of the share of bandwidth used for transmission by the local node, wherein the programmable means schedules the delay of variable length if the measure of free time is less than a first programmed threshold value and the measure of bandwidth share of the local node exceeds a second programmed threshold value.