Systems and methods for dynamic network channel modification

• US 20050169177A1
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ayyagari, Deepak, Petranovich, James E., Peponides, George M., Park, Daniel J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,300,540 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0039 Frequency-contiguous, i.e. with no allocation of frequencies for one user or terminal between the frequencies allocated to another
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0041 Frequency-non-contiguous
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0046 Determination of how many bits are transmitted on different sub-channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/16 Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/08 Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA hybrid access H04W74/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for establishment and modification of network allocation parameters.

Claims

1. A method for modifying network allocation parameters for a network connection, said method comprising:

a) establishing a network connection with network allocation parameters;

b) detecting a need for modification of said network allocation parameters for said connection;

c) modifying said connection allocation parameters for said network connection to meet said need.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises receiving a bandwidth change request.

3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises receiving a QoS change request.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises detecting a change in network channel conditions.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises detecting a fixed periodic allocation that will interfere with said connection.

6. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises receiving a potentially interfering connection request with a higher QoS priority.

7. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises receiving a new network connection request that cannot be satisfied without modification of said network allocation parameters for said network connection.

8. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises detecting overall network inefficiency.

9. A method for modifying network allocation parameters for a network connection, said method comprising:

a) establishing a network connection with a central coordinator (CCo), said connection being between a first network device and a second network device, and said connection comprising network allocation parameters;

b) detecting a need, with said CCo, for modification of said network allocation parameters for said connection;

c) modifying said connection allocation parameters for said network connection, with said CCo, to meet said need.

10. A method as described in claim 9 wherein said detecting comprises receiving a bandwidth change request.

11. A method as described in claim 9 wherein said detecting comprises receiving a QoS change request.

12. A method as described in claim 9 wherein said detecting comprises detecting a change in network channel conditions.

13. A method as described in claim 9 wherein said detecting comprises detecting a fixed periodic allocation that will interfere with said connection.

14. A method as described in claim 9 wherein said detecting comprises receiving a potentially interfering connection request with a higher QoS priority.

15. A method as described in claim 9 wherein said detecting comprises receiving a new network connection request that cannot be satisfied without modification of said network allocation parameters for said network connection.

16. A method as described in claim 9 wherein said detecting comprises detecting overall network inefficiency.

17. A method for modifying network allocation parameters for a network connection, said method comprising:

a) establishing a network connection, said connection comprising network allocation parameters;

b) monitoring a network condition;

c) modifying said network allocation parameters for said network connection when said network condition meets a criterion.

18. A method as described in claim 17 wherein said network condition comprises network channel conditions.

19. A method as described in claim 17 wherein said network condition comprises allocations for other connections.

20. A method as described in claim 17 wherein said network condition comprises QoS priorities for other connections.

21. A method as described in claim 17 wherein said network condition comprises overall network efficiency.

22. A method as described in claim 17 wherein said network condition comprises a change in error rate for a sub-channel.

23. A method as described in claim 17 wherein said network condition comprises the quantity of connections.

24. A method as described in claim 17 wherein said network condition comprises the relative priority of connections.

25. A method for allocating network resources, said method comprising:

a) monitoring the performance of sub-channels allocated to devices;

b) monitoring the priority of said sub-channel allocations;

c) modifying at least one of said sub-channel allocations to improve overall network efficiency.

26. A method as described in claim 25 further comprising monitoring the additional network efficiency cost of sub-channels that must be assigned as guard bands based on the modulation of the sub-channel.

27. A method as described in claim 25 further comprising monitoring the additional network efficiency cost of sub-channels that must be assigned as pilot signals based on the modulation of the sub-channel.

28. A method as described in claim 25 further wherein said monitoring and said modifying is performed by a central coordinator (CCo).

29. An apparatus for modifying network allocation parameters, said apparatus comprising:

a) a performance monitor for monitoring the performance of sub-channels allocated to devices;

b) a priority monitor for monitoring the priority of said sub-channel allocations;

c) an allocator for allocating and modifying at least one of said sub-channel allocations to improve overall network efficiency.

30. An apparatus as described in claim 29 further comprising a network efficiency monitor for monitoring the additional network efficiency cost of sub-channels that must be assigned as guard bands based on the modulation of the sub-channel.

31. An apparatus as described in claim 29 further comprising a network efficiency monitor for monitoring the additional network efficiency cost of sub-channels that must be assigned as pilot signals based on the modulation of the sub-channel.

32. An apparatus for modifying network allocation parameters, said apparatus comprising:

a) a connection establisher for establishing a network connection, said connection comprising network allocation parameters;

b) a detector for detecting a need for a network allocation parameter change; and

c) a connection modifier for modifying a network allocation parameter when a need is detected.

33. An system for managing network connections, said system comprising:

a) a central controller (CCo);

b) a first network device;

c) a second network device;

d) a communication medium connecting said CCo, said first network device and said second network device;

e) wherein said CCo establishes a connection between said first network device and said second network device, said connection comprising a network allocation parameter;

f) wherein said CCo detects a condition of said medium; and

g) wherein said CCo modifies said network allocation parameter in response to said condition.