摘要:
The specification relates to a method and apparatus supporting multiple access, bi-directional data and multimedia transfer described over a hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) network, though applicable to transmissions over other media as well. The protocol associated with the present invention supports downstream broadcast transmission from headend to cable modem, and also provides for allocation of bandwidth for cable modems to transmit back to the headend. The protocol supports different access modes such as STM, ATM, and VL; within each subframe of a subframe/frame/masterframe structure. The protocol is utilized over a system which provides for forward error correction (FEC) and scrambling/descrambling, while eliminating the deleterious effects on the error correcting capability of the FEC due to the bit error spreading associated with a scrambling/descrambling function. The protocol adapts to changing demands for a mix of circuit and packet mode applications and allocates upstream and downstream bandwidth in response to the a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources.
摘要:
The specification relates to a broadband multiple access protocol for bi-directional hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) networks. The protocol supports downstream broadcast transmission from headend to cable modem, and also provides for allocation of bandwidth for cable modems to transmit back to the headend. Although the present invention is described in relation to an HFC network, it is also equally applicable to a cellular wireless communications environment. The protocol supports different access modes such as STM, ATM, and VL; within each subframe of a subframe/frame/masterframe structure. The protocol adapts to changing demands for a mix of circuit and packet mode applications and allocates upstream and downstream bandwidth in response to the a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources. In order to satisfy the quality of service requirements of varied applications, while maintaining high bandwidth efficiency, the protocol utilizes a subframe structure with subframe partitioning into regions; one region dedicated to STM payload transmission, a second region dedicated to ATM cell transmission, and a third region dedicated to VL payload transmissions.
摘要:
The specification relates to a system supporting the transmission of multiple protocols over a single bytestream. The multiple protocol types supported include asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) protocol data units (PDUs), synchronous transfer mode (STM) PDUs, and variable length (VL) PDUs, as well as subtypes included within the aforementioned multiple protocol types. PDUs from higher layers are processed at three intermediate protocol layers where application layer PDUs are prepared, segmented, and repacked as asynchronous block multiplexing (ABM) PDUs. ABM PDUs include a type identification field. Cyclical redundancy checks and other error detection/correction techniques are optionally supported. ABM PDUs are multiplexed within a multiple protocol bytestream. Multiple protocol bytestream support is provided between a transmitter and receiver over a plurality of mediums, including but not limited to coaxial cable, wireless, optical fiber, hybrid fiber/coax, satellite, and twisted pair. Despite the various modes, protocols, PDU lengths, and different quality of service (QOS) requirements, support is provided over a common bytestream with a common physical layer datalink in either a point-to-point or broadcast environment.
摘要:
The specification relates to a broadband multiple access protocol for bi-directional hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) networks. The protocol supports downstream broadcast transmission from headend to cable modem, and also provides for allocation of bandwidth for cable modems to transmit back to the headend. Although the present invention is described in relation to an HFC network, it is also equally applicable to a wireless communications environment. The protocol supports different access modes such as synchronous transfer mode, asynchronous transfer mode, and variable length data. The protocol adapts to changing demands for a mix of circuit and packet mode applications and allocates upstream and downstream bandwidth in response to the a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources. In order to satisfy the quality of service requirements of varied applications, while maintaining high bandwidth efficiency, the protocol utilizes a frame structure with frame partitioning into regions; one region dedicated to STM payload and asynchronous, second region dedicated to ATM and VL payloads, messaging and control.
摘要:
A new protocol layer is provided as part of a protocol stack associated with a packet-based multiaccess mobile communications system. The protocol layer is preferably located above a medium access control (MAC) protocol layer and a physical protocol layer of the system and below a transport/network protocol layer. Such a subnetwork protocol layer provides, inter alia, the communications system with various mobility management functions, for example, tracking mobile user stations throughout the system, mobile station access to the system, and connection/call continuity within the system. The subnetwork protocol layer of the invention also performs packet routing functions associated with the system. Routing can be accomplished in many ways, for example, via source routing, connectionless routing, or tunneling. Further, the new protocol layer of the invention is preferably located above a data link layer with respect to the protocol stack associated with communications between network nodes.
摘要:
Various methodologies and related apparatus associated with mobility management issues within a packet-based multiaccess mobile communications system, which includes a plurality of mobile user stations and a plurality of network nodes, are provided. Location management techniques include tracking and/or locating mobile stations within the system. The invention makes use of home and visiting location registers in which information such as mobile station addresses and/or host names associated with mobile stations are stored. Mobile access methodologies include a complete mobile access method and a direct mobile access method. The former allows a mobile station to preferably include a unique address in the packets being transmitted, while the latter allows the station to merely use the host name of the destination station. The invention also includes various in-call mobility management techniques, including handoffs, which make use of the concept of an anchor.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for transmitting and/or receiving variable-length packets (e.g., CDMA packets, CDPD packets) that are associated with different channels and which are multiplexed via a single virtual circuit (e.g., an ATM virtual circuit).
摘要:
Four stages of digital cellular architecture are presented which reuse much of the existing voice infrastructure while allowing graceful introduction of data and integrated voice/data services over industry standard, low cost platforms. First, a separate ATM-based infrastructure is introduced that supports data services. A new data call control is introduced on industry standard hardware platforms using object oriented and modular programming. Second, ATM is introduced at radio ports and call control functions are migrated to the new ATM-based call control platforms. Third, vocoders are introduced at the DCS. Fourth, the cellular functions of the legacy cellular switch are phased out and replaced by the ATM-based target architecture.
摘要:
Various methodologies and related apparatus associated with mobility management issues within a packet-based multiaccess mobile communications system, which includes a plurality of mobile user stations and a plurality of network nodes, are provided. Location management techniques include tracking and/or locating mobile stations within the system. The invention makes use of home and visiting location registers in which information such as mobile station addresses and/or host names associated with mobile stations are stored. Mobile access methodologies include a complete mobile access method and a direct mobile access method. The former allows a mobile station to preferably include a unique address in the packets being transmitted, while the latter allows the station to merely use the host name of the destination station. The invention also includes various in-call mobility management techniques, including handoffs, which make use of the concept of an anchor.
摘要:
Distributed precomputation techniques for determining primary and/or restoration paths in an optical network. The invention provides a number of partially and fully asynchronous distributed precomputation algorithms which may be implemented, for example, by the nodes of an all-optical network, in which network links are constrained in terms of optical signal wavelength and failure isolation. A given distributed precomputation algorithm may include a first phase in which paths are allocated for capacity demands to the extent possible without resolving contentions, and a second phase in which contentions between demands for the same capacity are resolved. The first phase may implement a contention locking mechanism which locks a primary path of a given demand to prevent other demands from contending for the same capacity, and a link capacity control mechanism which involves storing a link status table at one or more nodes, the link status table listing a number of specific failures and demands which are affected by the failures. The second phase of the distributed precomputation algorithm reroutes paths previously allocated to one or more demands in order to free up capacity required for another demand, so as to optimize overall network capacity utilization.