Importance

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Abstract

A method of multipoint communications utilizes a protocol in which data messages (10) sent by a primary source are multicast to a plurality of secondary receiving stations (S.sub.1 . . . S.sub.n). Each message packet contains a control field comprising a station identifier code (14) and an instruction for the specified station to acknowledge a predetermined number of messages. Each successive message packet comprises a station identifier code which differs in an alterable set cyclical sequence. Thus, acknowledgements of correct receipt of data are taken in a cycle of length L such that in a space of L messages each receiver must acknowledge at least once. In this way the primary source need only keep the L latest messages because all the stations have acknowledged correct receipt of at least up to the current message minus L. The multipoint communications method uses a protocol which can be applied to existing communications networks.

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First Claim