Dynamic reallocation of bandwidth and modulation protocols

• US 20060227736A1
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Bauman, Donald R., Wala, Philip M., Mitchell, William J., Hermel, Michael J., Cannon, Jeffrey J., Weaver, Douglas D., Conyers, David J., Toms, Jerry Edward, Fischer, Larry G., Sonbarse, Santosh K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,640,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/15 in relation to multipoint traffic arrangements for broadcast or multicast in data networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/21 using leaky-bucket
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2416 Real-time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2433 Allocation of priorities to traffic types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/283 in response to processing delays, e.g. caused by jitter or round trip time [RTT]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/762 triggered by the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/824 Applicable to portable or mobile terminals

Abstract

A communications system dynamically reconfigurable for RF bandwidth and modulation protocols is disclosed. A server comprises one or more radio head interface modules and a call processing software module adapted to communicate with each other. The call processing software is adapted to perform modulation and demodulation of voice and data streams using one or more air interface protocols. A radio head unit coupled to the radio head interface module communicates with one or more subscriber units. The radio head interface module receives either air interface protocol configuration information, or RF signal bandwidth allocation information, from the call processing software module for one or more communication channels, the information providing a timing trigger and a protocol or bandwidth for one or more communication channels. The radio head interface module reconfigures itself for one or more communications channels, based on the change instructed by the call processing software.

Claims

1. A communications system, comprising:

a server, including;

one or more radio head interface modules; and

a call processing software module, the one or more radio head interface modules adapted to communicate with the call processing software module;

wherein the call processing software module performs modulation and demodulation of voice and data streams using one or more air interface protocols; and

a radio head unit coupled to the radio head interface module over one or more transport mediums;

wherein the radio head unit communicates with one or more subscriber units using the one or more air interface protocols;

wherein the radio head interface module receives air interface protocol parameters from the call processing software module for one or more communication channels;

wherein the radio head interface module reconfigures itself for one or more communications channels, based on the air interface protocol parameters.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the server further comprises:

one or more interface devices, wherein the one or more radio head interface modules communicate with the call processing software module over the one or more interface devices.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the one or more interface devices includes at least one of a PCI-X interface, an ATCA interface, a PCI Express interface, a Gigabit Ethernet interface, a SCSI interface, a Rocket I/O interface, a UDP/IP link interface, a TCP/IP link interface, a Serial ATA interface, a Card bus for PCMIA card interface, a high speed serial interface and a high speed parallel interface.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more air interface protocols include at least one of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), code division multiple access (CDMA), Wide-band CDMA, time division multiple access (TDMA), Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN), and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM).

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the call processing software module communicates one or more pages of data samples with the one or more radio head interface modules, each of the one or more pages of data samples having a page header;

and

wherein air interface protocol parameters are contained in the page header.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein air interface protocol parameters include at least one of a protocol reconfiguration indicator, modulation protocol assignment parameters, and a timing trigger.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the timing trigger is a designated time.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the designated time correlates to a time count internal to the radio head interface module.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein radio head interface module further comprises:

a global positioning system receiver, wherein the time count internal to the radio head interface module is synchronized with an output signal from the global positioning system receiver.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the call processing software is synchronized with an output signal from the global positioning system receiver.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the timing trigger is a designated data sample.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the transport mediums are one or more of optical fiber, millimeter wave, coaxial cable, and Free Space Optics (FSO).

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the radio head interface module further comprises:

a transmit buffer, the transmit buffer adapted to receive a data stream from the call processing software module and store the data stream as a page of data sample;

a transmit engine;

a digital upconverter, the transmit engine adapted to transfer the page of data samples from the transmit buffer to the digital upconverter;

a configuration management unit adapted to receive air interface protocol configuration information from the call processing software module;

a memory adapted with digital upconverter parameters;

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to access the memory to lookup digital upconverter parameters based on the air interface protocol configuration information; and

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to output the digital upconverter parameters to the digital up converter.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the radio head interface module further comprises:

a receive buffer;

a receive engine; and

a digital downconverter;

the transmit engine adapted to transfer a data stream from the digital downconverter to the receive buffer, the receive buffer adapted to store the data stream as a page of data samples, the receive buffer further adapted to output the page of data samples to the call processing software;

the memory further adapted with digital downconverter parameters;

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to access the memory to lookup the digital downconverter parameters based on the air interface protocol configuration information; and

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to output the digital downconverter parameters to the digital downconverter.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the radio head interface module is further adapted to receive bandwidth allocation information from the call processing software module for one or more communication channels;

wherein the bandwidth allocation information comprises a timing trigger and signal bandwidth allocation parameters;

wherein the radio head interface module reconfigures itself for one or more communications channels, based on the bandwidth allocation information.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to access the memory to lookup the associated digital upconverter parameters based on the bandwidth allocation information;

and

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to output the associated parameters to the digital up converter.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to access the memory to lookup the associated digital downconverter parameters based on the bandwidth allocation information;

and

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to output the associated parameters to the digital downconverter.

18. A communications system, comprising:

a server, including;

one or more radio head interface modules; and

a call processing software module, the one or more radio head interface modules adapted to communicate with the call processing software module;

wherein the call processing software performs modulation and demodulation of voice and data streams using one or more air interface protocols; and

a radio head unit coupled to the radio head interface module over one or more transport mediums;

wherein the radio head unit communicates with one or more subscriber units using the one or more air interface protocols;

wherein the radio head interface module receives bandwidth allocation information from the call processing software module for one or more communication channels;

wherein the signal bandwidth allocation information comprises a timing trigger and signal bandwidth allocation parameters for one or more communication channels;

wherein the radio head interface module reconfigures itself for one or more communications channels, based on the signal bandwidth allocation information.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the radio head interface module further comprises:

a transmit buffer, the transmit buffer adapted to receive a data stream from the call processing software module and store the data stream as a page of data samples;

a transmit engine;

a digital upconverter, the transmit engine adapted to transfer the page of data samples from the transmit buffer to the digital upconverter;

a configuration management unit adapted to receive signal bandwidth change information from the call processing software module; and

a memory adapted with digital upconverter parameters;

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to access the memory to lookup the associated digital upconverter parameters based on the signal bandwidth change information;

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to output the associated digital upconverter parameters to the digital up converter.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the radio head interface module further comprises:

a receive buffer;

a receive engine;

a digital downconverter; and

the transmit engine adapted to transfer a data stream from the digital downconverter to the receive buffer, the receive buffer adapted to store the data stream as a page of data samples, the receive buffer further adapted to output the page of data samples to the call processing software;

the memory adapted with digital downconverter parameters;

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to access the memory to lookup the associated digital downconverter parameters based on the bandwidth allocation information;

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to output the associated digital downconverter parameters to the digital downconverter.

21. A radio head interface for a communications system, the radio head interface comprising:

a digital frequency converter; and

a configuration management unit, the configuration management unit adapted to receive signal bandwidth reallocation instructions from the communications system, the configuration management unit further adapted to reconfigure the digital frequency converter to process data signals within the reallocated signal bandwidth.

22. The radio head interface of claim 21, wherein the digital frequency converter is a digital up-converter.

23. The radio head interface of claim 21, wherein the digital frequency converter is a digital down-converter.

24. A radio head interface for a communications system, the radio head interface comprising:

a digital frequency converter; and

a configuration management unit;

the configuration management unit adapted to receive modulation protocol change instructions from the communications system, the configuration management unit further adapted to reconfigure the digital frequency converter to process data signals within the modulation protocol indicated in the modulation protocol change instructions.

25. The radio head interface of claim 24, wherein the digital frequency converter is a digital up-converter.

26. The radio head interface of claim 24, wherein the digital frequency converter is a digital down-converter.

27. A radio head interface module, the module comprising:

a transmit buffer, the transmit buffer adapted to receive a data stream from a call processing software module and store the data stream as a page of data samples having a page header;

a transmit engine;

a digital upconverter, the transmit engine adapted to transfer the page of data samples from the transmit buffer to the digital upconverter;

a configuration management unit adapted to receive protocol configuration parameters from the call processing software module; and

a memory adapted with digital upconverter parameters;

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to access the memory to lookup associated digital upconverter parameters based on the protocol configuration parameters;

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to output the associated digital upconverter parameters to the digital up converter.

28. The radio head interface module of claim 27, the module further comprising:

a receive buffer;

a receive engine; and

a digital downconverter;

the receive engine adapted to transfer a data stream from the digital downconverter to the receive buffer, the receive buffer adapted to store the data stream as a page of data samples, the receive buffer further adapted to output the page of data samples to the call processing software;

the memory further adapted with digital downconverter parameters;

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to access the memory to lookup the associated digital downconverter parameters based on the protocol configuration parameters; and

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to output the associated digital downconverter parameters to the digital downconverter.

29. A radio head interface module, the module comprising:

a transmit buffer, the transmit buffer adapted to receive a data stream from a call processing software module and store the data stream as a page of data samples having a page header;

a transmit engine;

a digital upconverter, the transmit engine adapted to transfer the page of data samples from the transmit buffer to the digital upconverter;

a configuration management unit adapted to receive signal bandwidth allocation parameters from the call processing software module; and

a memory adapted with digital upconverter parameters;

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to access the memory to lookup associated digital upconverter parameters based on the signal bandwidth allocation parameters;

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to output the associated digital upconverter parameters to the digital up converter.

30. The radio head interface module of claim 29, the module further comprising:

a receive buffer;

a receive engine; and

a digital downconverter;

the receive engine adapted to transfer a data stream from the digital downconverter to the receive buffer, the receive buffer adapted to store the data stream as a page of data samples, the receive buffer further adapted to output the page of data samples to the call processing software;

the memory further adapted with digital downconverter parameters;

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to access the memory to lookup the associated digital downconverter parameters based on the signal bandwidth allocation parameters; and

wherein the configuration management unit is further adapted to output the associated digital downconverter parameters to the digital downconverter.

31. A method for dynamic signal bandwidth allocation for a communications network logical channel, the method comprising:

receiving signal bandwidth allocation parameters indicating a desired signal bandwidth allocation and a designated trigger event;

determining digital frequency converter parameters for the desired signal bandwidth allocation; and

reconfiguring a digital frequency converter with the parameters upon occurrence of the designated trigger event.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the logical channel is a forward logical channel and the digital frequency converter is a digital up-converter.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein the logical channel is a reverse logical channel and the digital frequency converter is a digital down-converter.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the logical channel is a diversity logical channel and the digital frequency converter is a digital down-converter.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the designated trigger event is a designated time.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the designated trigger event is a designated data sample.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein signal bandwidth allocation parameters are contained in a page header.

38. A method for dynamic protocol configuration for a communications network logical channel, the method comprising:

receiving protocol configuration parameters indicating a desired protocol configuration and a designated trigger event;

determining digital frequency converter parameters for the desired protocol configuration; and

reconfiguring a digital frequency converter with the parameters upon occurrence of the designated trigger event.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the logical channel is a forward logical channel and the digital frequency converter is a digital up-converter.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein the logical channel is a reverse logical channel and the digital frequency converter is a digital down-converter.

41. The method of claim 38 wherein the logical channel is a diversity logical channel and the digital frequency converter is a digital down-converter.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the designated trigger event is a designated time.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein the designated trigger event is a designated data sample.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein protocol configuration parameters are contained in a page header.

45. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for a method for protocol configuration for a communications network logical channel, the method comprising:

receiving protocol configuration parameters indicating a desired protocol configuration and a designated trigger event;

determining digital frequency converter parameters for the desired protocol configuration; and

reconfiguring a digital frequency converter with the parameters upon occurrence of the designated trigger event.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the logical channel is a forward logical channel and the digital frequency converter is a digital up-converter.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein the logical channel is a reverse logical channel and the digital frequency converter is a digital down-converter.

48. The method of claim 45, wherein the logical channel is a diversity logical channel and the digital frequency converter is a digital down-converter.

49. The method of claim 45, wherein protocol configuration parameters are contained in a page header.

50. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for a method for signal bandwidth allocation for a communications network logical channel, the method comprising:

receiving signal bandwidth allocation parameters indicating a desired signal bandwidth allocation and a designated trigger event;

determining digital frequency converter parameters for the desired signal bandwidth allocation; and

reconfiguring a digital frequency converter with the parameters upon occurrence of the designated trigger event.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the logical channel is a forward logical channel and the digital frequency converter is a digital up-converter.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the logical channel is a reverse logical channel and the digital frequency converter is a digital down-converter.

53. The method of claim 50, wherein the logical channel is a diversity logical channel and the digital frequency converter is a digital down-converter.

54. The method of claim 50, wherein signal bandwidth allocation parameters are contained in a page header.