Priority-based channel allocation in a satellite communication system
First Claim
1. A method of channel allocation in a communications system, comprising:
- a. during a first predetermined period, making a channel available for assignment with a low pre-emption priority; and
b. during a second predetermined period different from the first period, making the channel available for assignment with a high pre-emption priority while preventing the channel from being assigned with the low pre-emption priority.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a communications system, channels can be assigned during an off-peak period with a lower pre-emption priority than normal channels, and may be pre-empted in favour of normal channels when insufficient channels are available. During a peak period, only normal channels can be assigned. A pool of available channels is maintained above a minimum level by pre-empting lower priority channels. Lower priority channels can be assigned from the pool only when it is above a threshold size. An advantage of this method is that channels can be assigned to noncritical applications during the off-peak period without substantially affecting the availability of channels during the peak period, thus encouraging more efficient use of off-peak channel capacity.
21 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of channel allocation in a communications system, comprising:
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a. during a first predetermined period, making a channel available for assignment with a low pre-emption priority; and
b. during a second predetermined period different from the first period, making the channel available for assignment with a high pre-emption priority while preventing the channel from being assigned with the low pre-emption priority. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of channel allocation in a communications system, comprising:
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a. during a first predetermined period, making any of a set of channels available for assignment selectively with either a high or a low pre-emption priority; and
b. during a second predetermined period, making any of the set of channels available for assignment with the high pre-emption priority but not with the low pre-emption priority. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of channel assignment in a communications system, comprising:
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a. receiving a request for channel assignment;
b. determining a channel type relating to the request;
c. determining a low or high pre-emption priority relating to the request;
d. determining whether a channel is available corresponding to the channel type and pre-emption priority, and if so, e. assigning the available channel in response to the channel request;
wherein step d includes, if the request has low pre-emption priority, determining whether the request satisfies a predetermined time-dependent criterion. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of channel assignment in a satellite communications system, comprising:
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a. determining a peak demand period and an off-peak demand period;
b. during the off-peak demand period, selectively assigning channels with either a low pre-emption priority or a high pre-emption priority;
c. during the peak demand period, assigning channels with only the high pre-emption priority; and
d. pre-empting channels assigned with low pre-emption priority so as to make them available for assignment with high pre-emption priority. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18-20. -20. (canceled)
Specification