System for selectively reducing capture effect in a network station by increasing delay time after a predetermined number of consecutive successful transmissions

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
In a network station coupled to media of a network, a method of accessing the media, comprising: determining if a number of consecutive successful transmissions by the network station exceeds a predetermined threshold; if the number exceeds the predetermined threshold, setting a delay time including a predetermined interpacket gap interval and an additional time interval; sensing deassertion of a receive carrier on the media; waiting the delay time in response to the sensed deassertion of the receive carrier; and attempting access of the media by the network station after the sensed deassertion of the receive carrier and the delay time.
2.
The method of claim 1, wherein the attempting access step comprises: sensing whether a receive carrier is asserted on the media during the waiting step; and transmitting a data packet if the receive carrier is not asserted on the media during the waiting step.
3.
The method of claim 2, further comprising setting the delay time to the predetermined interpacket gap interval if the number is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.
4.
The method of claim 1, wherein said setting step comprises maintaining the delay time equal to said predetermined interpacket gap plus the additional time interval for a predetermined deferral interval.
5.
The method of claim 4, wherein said predetermined deferral interval corresponds to a predetermined time interval.
6.
The method of claim 5, wherein maintaining step comprises starting a timer in response to the setting of said delay time, the timer identifying a reduced throughput time interval of the network station.
7.
The method of claim 6, further comprising resetting the delay time to equal the predetermined interpacket gap interval after the timer has counted the reduced throughput time interval.
8.
The method of claim 4, wherein said predetermined deferral interval corresponds to a predetermined number of data transfers having occurred on the medium by other network stations