Securing the channel for a QoS manager in a CSMA/CA

1. A method of securing a channel by a QoS manager in an ad hoc network, wherein the ad hoc network is HomePlug, having a contention protocol including a normal priority resolution period having multiple priority resolution slots therein, wherein the contention protocol includes plural contention state slots, and wherein plural devices contend for transmission time on the network by transmitting priority resolution symbols during a priority resolution period, comprising:

defining a QoS manager constructed and arranged to compete with the plural devices on the network; and

providing an extended priority resolution slot for transmission of a priority resolution symbol at the end of the normal priority resolution period, including preempting a contention state slot and providing a third priority resolution slot, PRS 3 , by preempting contention state slot 0 to secure the channel for traffic from a device asserting a highest priority resolution symbol; and transmitting the highest priority resolution symbol within the third priority resolution slot.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the QoS manager retains the channel by asserting a contention free flag.

3. A method of securing a channel by a QoS manager in an ad hoc network, wherein the ad hoc network is HomePlug, having a contention protocol including a normal priority resolution period having multiple priority resolution slots therein, wherein the contention protocol includes plural contention state slots, and wherein plural devices contend for transmission time on the network by transmitting priority resolution symbols during a priority resolution period, comprising:

defining a QoS manager constructed and arranged to compete with the plural devices on the network;

providing at least one additional priority resolution period to control the network with the QoS manager; and

providing an extended priority resolution slot for transmission of a priority resolution symbol at the end of the normal priority resolution period, including preempting a contention state slot and providing a third priority resolution slot, PRS 3 , by preempting contention state slot 0 to secure the channel for traffic from a device asserting a highest priority resolution symbol; and transmitting the highest priority resolution symbol within the third priority resolution slot.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the QoS manager retains the channel by asserting a contention free flag.

5. A method of securing a channel by a QoS manager in an ad hoc network, wherein the ad hoc network is HomePlug, having a contention protocol including a normal priority resolution period having multiple priority resolution slots therein, wherein the contention protocol includes plural contention state slots, and wherein plural devices contend for transmission time on the network by transmitting priority resolution symbols during a priority resolution period, comprising:

defining a QoS manager constructed and arranged to compete with the plural devices on the network; and

providing an extended priority resolution slot for transmission of a priority resolution symbol at the end of the normal priority resolution period, including preempting a contention state slot, wherein the QoS manager retains the channel by asserting a contention free flag, and providing a third priority resolution slot, PRS 3 , by preempting contention state slot 0 to secure the channel for traffic from a device asserting a highest priority resolution symbol; and transmitting the highest priority resolution symbol within the third priority resolution slot.

6. The method of claim 5 which includes providing additional priority resolution periods to control the network with the QoS manager.