Timeslot management method, a related network terminator, a related line terminator and an upstream signal frame structure for a time division multiple access system

A time slot management method for use in a time division multiple access system that couples a line terminator via a tree-like network to a plurality of network terminations is provided. At least one grant is transmitted by the line terminator towards a network terminator in order to allocate at least one adjacent subsequent corresponding upstream time-slot to the network terminator. The grant is received by the network terminator from the line terminator, and it is recognized if the at least one grant is associated with the network termination. Upon recognition of the at least one grant being associated with the network termination by the network terminator, overhead data in the first time slot of the at least one time slot and payload data in each potential adjacent subsequent time slot of at least one time-slot allocated to said network terminator is transmitted.