Methods and apparatus for providing quality-of-service guarantees in computer networks

• US 20010002195A1
• Filed: 01/17/2001
• Published: 05/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Far North Patents, LLC
• Original Assignee: Path 1 Network Technologies Incorporated California Corporation
• Inventors: Cruz, Rene L., Palmer, Douglas A., Fellman, Ronald D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,661,804 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/420
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6445 Admission control

Abstract

An arbitration mechanism provides quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive signals sharing a local area computer network with non-time-sensitive traffic. Device adapters are placed at all access points to an Ethernet network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing of all packets entering the network. By doing so, collisions are eliminated for time-sensitive traffic, thereby guaranteeing timely delivery. A common time reference is established for the device adapters. The time reference includes a frame with a plurality of phases. Each of the phases is assigned to a device adapter. Each device adapter is allowed to transmit packets of data onto the network only during the phase assigned thereto. The length of the phases may be modified in accordance with the number of packets to be transmitted by a particular device adapter. A master device adapter may be appointed to synchronize each of the device adapters.

Claims

1. A network for communicating packets of data, comprising:

a network medium;

a plurality of devices for generating packets of data for transmission on said network medium; and

a plurality of device adapters each including;

a device interface for connecting to one of said devices and for receiving said packets generated thereby;

a network interface for connecting to said network medium; and

a processor connected to said interfaces for transmitting said packets received at said device interface to said network interface;

said plurality of device adapters creating a frame of time, said frame repeating periodically and having a plurality of time phases;

each of said device adapters capable of having at least one of said time phases assigned uniquely thereto and transmitting said packets received at said device interface to said network medium during said assigned time phase.

2. The network of

claim 1

, wherein each time phase is variable in size.

3. The network of

claim 1

, wherein the network is wireless.

4. A device adapter for regulating traffic in a broadcast network, the broadcast network including devices for generating packets of data and a network medium for carrying the packets, said device adapter comprising:

a device interface for connecting to one of the devices and for receiving packets of data generated thereby;

a network interface for connecting to the network medium; and

a processor connected to said interfaces for receiving packets from said device interface and for transmitting packets to the network interface;

said device adapter having a time reference defining a frame of time, said frame including a plurality of variable time phases, said frame repeating periodically;

said device adapter capable of having one of said time phases being uniquely assigned thereto; and

said processor of said device adapter transmitting packets received at said device interface during said assigned time phase.

5. The device adapter of

claim 4

, wherein the broadcast network is wireless.