Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus in a communications system (100) for providing communications units (134) access to the communications system (100). The communications system (100) includes a cable distribution network (106) with a base communications unit (102) and a number of downstream communications units (134) all connected to the cable distribution network (106). A plurality of channels are used to transmit data between the base communications unit (102) and the downstream communications units (134). A first set of channels are used primarily for access to the communications system (100) and a second set of channels are used for transmitting data within the communications system (100) after access to the communications system (100) has been gained. The base communications unit (102) sends a first type of data transmission including an identification of access channels used for requesting access to the communications system (100). The base communications unit (102) assigns channels within the second set of channels response to receiving a request for access to the communications system (100) on the first set of channels. A mechanism also is provided for handling collisions in transmissions between the downstream communications units (134) to the base communications unit (102).

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First Claim