Methods and apparatus for data communications through packet networks

• US 20100158027A1
• Filed: 02/26/2010
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mindspeed Technologies Inc. (MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.), Conexant Systems Incorporated (Synaptics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Johnston, James W., Peshkin, Joel D., Fayad, Gilles G., Wren, Paul C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,957,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2874 Processing of data for distribution to the subscribers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4604 LAN interconnection over a backbone network, e.g. Internet, Frame Relay
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways

Abstract

An improved data communication technique may be employed with modems through a packet network. The disclosed technique facilitates a virtual end-to-end connection between two modems such that the two modems can effectively behave as if directly connected to each other, unaware of any modifications to the data being transferred or to the protocols configured within the communication connection. Preferably, a data communication system for carrying out the communication technique demodulates data coming from a first modem, transports the demodulated data in packets between two gateways, and then remodulates the data before delivering to a second modem at the other end. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, various alternatives for calling and quality of service set-up mechanisms, the establishment of a communication session, the transport of data during a communication session, the flow control between all system components involved, and the mechanisms for the termination of communications are also provided.

Claims

1-29. -29. (canceled)

30. A method for use by a first gateway to establish data communication between a first modem and a second modem over a packet network, said method comprising:

receiving a call from said first modem over a first telephone line;

negotiating, in response to said call, over said first telephone line with said first modem to establish a first physical link connection;

informing a second gateway of said call over said packet network;

establishing a gateway-to-gateway transport link with said second gateway over said packet network;

determining a set of data link parameters supported by said first modem and said first gateway;

establishing a first data link over said first physical link connection using said set of data link parameters;

wherein said first gateway uses said packet network and said second gateway to provide a virtual end-to-end communication connection between said first modem and said second modem such that said first modem and said second modem operate as if directly connected using said first data link established according to said set of data link parameters.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said second gateway informs said second modem of said call over a second telephone line, and wherein said second gateway negotiates with said second modem over said second telephone line to establish a second physical link connection.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein, during said determining, said second gateway establishes said second data link protocol over said second physical link connection using said set of data link parameters.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein said gateway-to-gateway transport link is an unreliable transport link.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein said determining said set of data link parameters includes initiating said first data link protocol and stalling said first data link protocol.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said first data link protocol is based on ITU V.42 standard.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said stalling includes transmitting an RNR by said first gateway to said first modem.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said determining said set of data link parameters further includes resuming said first data link protocol by transmitting an RR to said first modem.

38. A first gateway capable of establishing data communication between a first modem and a second modem over a packet network, said first gateway comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a call from said first modem over a first telephone line;

a controller configured to;

negotiate, in response to said call, over said first telephone line with said first modem to establish a first physical link connection;

inform a second gateway of said call over said packet network;

establish a gateway-to-gateway transport link with said second gateway over said packet network;

determine a set of data link parameters supported by said first modem and said first gateway;

establish a first data link over said first physical link connection using said set of data link parameters;

use said packet network and said second gateway to provide a virtual end-to-end communication connection between said first modem and said second modem such that said first modem and said second modem operate as if directly connected using said first data link established according to said set of data link parameters.

39. The first gateway of claim 38, wherein said second gateway informs said second modem of said call over a second telephone line, and wherein said second gateway negotiates with said second modem over said second telephone line to establish a second physical link connection.

40. The first gateway of claim 39, wherein said controller determines said set of data link parameters while said second gateway establishes said second data link protocol over said second physical link connection using said set of data link parameters.

41. The first gateway of claim 38, wherein said gateway-to-gateway transport link is an unreliable transport link.

42. The first gateway of claim 38, wherein said determining said set of data link parameters includes initiating said first data link protocol and stalling said first data link protocol.

43. The first gateway of claim 42, wherein said first data link protocol is based on ITU V.42 standard.

44. The first gateway of claim 43, wherein said stalling includes transmitting an RNR by said first gateway to said first modem.

45. The first gateway of claim 44, wherein said determining said set of data link parameters further includes resuming said first data link protocol by transmitting an RR to said first modem.

46. A method for use by a first gateway to establish data communication between a first modem and a second modem over a packet network, said method comprising:

receiving a first call from a second gateway over said packet network;

placing a second call, in response to said first call, over a first telephone line with said first modem to establish a first physical link connection;

establishing a gateway-to-gateway transport link with said second gateway over said packet network;

determining a set of data link parameters supported by said first modem and said first gateway;

establishing a first data link over said first physical link connection using said set of data link parameters;

wherein said first gateway uses said packet network and said second gateway to provide a virtual end-to-end communication connection between said first modem and said second modem such that said first modem and said second modem operate as if directly connected using said first data link established according to said set of data link parameters.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said gateway-to-gateway reliable transport link uses a different error correction protocol than said first data link protocol and said second data link protocol.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein said first data link protocol uses a different error correction protocol than said second data link protocol.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein said first data link protocol includes data compression.

50. A first gateway capable of establishing data communication between a first modem and a second modem over a packet network, said first gateway comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a first call from a second gateway over said packet network;

a controller configured to;

place a second call, in response to said first call, over a first telephone line with said first modem to establish a first physical link connection;

establish a gateway-to-gateway transport link with said second gateway over said packet network;

determine a set of data link parameters supported by said first modem and said first gateway;

establish a first data link over said first physical link connection using said set of data link parameters;

use said packet network and said second gateway to provide a virtual end-to-end communication connection between said first modem and said second modem such that said first modem and said second modem operate as if directly connected using said first data link established according to said set of data link parameters.

51. The first gateway of claim 50, wherein said gateway-to-gateway reliable transport link uses a different error correction protocol than said first data link protocol and said second data link protocol.

52. The first gateway of claim 50, wherein said first data link protocol uses a different error correction protocol than said second data link protocol.

53. The first gateway of claim 50, wherein said first data link protocol includes data compression.