Method and apparatus for asynchronous reservation-oriented multiple access for wireless networks

• US 6,577,613 B1
• Filed: 03/02/1999
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp. (Rtx Corporation), Verizon Corporate Services Group Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Corporate Services Group Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Ramanathan, Subramanian
• Primary Examiner(s): MARCELO, MELVIN C
• Application Number:
  US09/261,302
• Time in Patent Office: 1,561 Days
• Field of Search: 370/336, 370/337, 370/345, 370/347, 370/348, 370/468
• US Class Current: 370/337
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/26 Resource reservation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0816 with collision avoidance
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

This disclosure describes systems and methods for transmitting data over transmission bandwidth in a communication channel over a wireless network through asynchronous, reservation-oriented, multiple access to support real-time multimedia. The access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel is guaranteed (or reserved) from a terminal to a server by establishing a reserved bandwidth for a transmission in an on-demand, as-desired manner. A terminal reserves bandwidth with a server by corresponding with the server to reserve a finite bandwidth for transmissions of a data packet. A server recognizes the request for a finite bandwidth and approves the request, if capacity permits. Once a request has been approved, the systems and methods consist with this disclosure provide for reserved access to transmission bandwidth in a communications channel to support real-time network applications, including transactions involving wireless local area networks, cellular networks, and ad hoc networks.

Claims

1. A method of reserving access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel at a terminal in a network, comprising the steps of:

transmitting to a server a reservation request to send signal, indicating a request for reservation of transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in the network;

receiving a first clear to send signal from the server;

transmitting to the server a modified request to send signal, indicating a request for admission to transmit data over reserved bandwidth of a communications channel in the network;

receiving a second clear to send signal; and

transmitting a data packet to the server.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an acknowledgment signal from the server following the transmission of the data packet to the server.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the reservation request to send signal includes a channel level reservation id and an indication of required channel capacity.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the channel level reservation id includes a source id and a unique id from source.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the indication of required channel capacity includes B/I, representing the number of bits (B) to send in an interval (I).

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the indication of required channel capacity includes using a linear bounded arrival process.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first clear to send signal contains a channel reservation id.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified request to send signal includes a channel reservation id.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the third transmitting step occurs using a bandwidth confirmed by the first clear to send signal.

10. A system for reserving access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel at a terminal in a network, comprising:

a reservation transmitting component configured to transmit to a server a reservation request to send signal, indicating a request for reservation of transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in the network;

a first receiving component configured to receive a first clear to send signal from the server;

an admission transmitting component configured to transmit to the server a modified request to send signal, indicating a request for admission to transmit data over reserved bandwidth of a communications channel in the network;

a second receiving component configured to receive a second clear to send signal; and

a transmitting component configured to transmit a data packet to the server.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a third receiving component configured to receive an acknowledgment signal from the server following the transmission of the data packet to the server.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the reservation request to send signal includes a channel level reservation id and an indication of required channel capacity.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the channel level reservation id includes a source id and a unique id from source.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the indication of required channel capacity includes B/I, representing the number of bits (B) to send in an interval (I).

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the indication of required channel capacity includes using a linear bounded arrival process.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the first clear to send signal contains a channel reservation id.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the modified request to send signal includes a channel reservation id.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the transmitting component occurs using a bandwidth confirmed by the first clear to send signal.

19. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for reserving access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel at a terminal in a network, the computer usable medium comprising:

a reservation transmitting module configured to transmit to a server a reservation request to send signal, indicating a request for reservation of transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in the network;

a first receiving module configured to receive a first clear to send signal from the server;

an admission transmitting module configured to transmit to the server a modified request to send signal, indicating a request for admission to transmit data over reserved bandwidth of a communications channel in the network;

a second receiving module configured to receive a second clear to send signal; and

a transmitting module configured to transmit a data packet to the server.

20. A method of reserving access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel at a server in a network, comprising the steps of:

receiving from a terminal a reservation request to send signal, representing a request for reservation of transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in the network;

transmitting a first clear to send signal to the terminal;

receiving from the terminal a modified request to send signal, representing a request for admission to transmit data over reserved bandwidth of a communications channel in the network;

transmitting a second clear to send signal; and

receiving a data packet from the terminal.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

transmitting an acknowledgment signal to the terminal following the receipt of the data packet at the server.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the reservation request to send signal includes a channel level reservation id and an indication of required channel capacity.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the channel level reservation id includes a source id and a unique id from source.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the indication of required channel capacity includes B/I, representing the number of bits (B) to send in an interval (I).

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the indication of required channel capacity includes using a linear bounded arrival process.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein the first clear to send signal contains a channel reservation id.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein the modified request to send signal includes a channel reservation id.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein the third receiving step occurs using a bandwidth confirmed by the first clear to send signal.

29. A system for reserving access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel at a server in a network, comprising:

a reservation receiving component configured to receive from a terminal a reservation request to send signal, representing a request for reservation of transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in the network;

a first transmitting component configured to transmit a first clear to send signal to the terminal;

an admission receiving component configured to receive from the terminal a modified request to send signal, representing a request for admission to transmit data over reserved bandwidth of a communications channel in the network;

a second transmitting component configured to transmit a second clear to send signal; and

a receiving component configured to receive a data packet from the terminal.

30. The system of claim 29, further comprising:

a third transmitting component configured to transmit an acknowledgment signal to the terminal following the receipt of the data packet at the server.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the reservation request to send signal includes a channel level reservation id and an indication of required channel capacity.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the channel level reservation id includes a source id and a unique id from source.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the indication of required channel capacity includes B/I, representing the number of bits (B) to send in an interval (I).

34. The system of claim 31, wherein the indication of required channel capacity includes using a linear bounded arrival process.

35. The system of claim 29, wherein the first clear to send signal contains a channel reservation id.

36. The system of claim 29, wherein the modified request to send signal includes a channel reservation id.

37. The system of claim 29, wherein the receiving component occurs using a bandwidth confirmed by the first clear to send signal.

38. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for reserving access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel at a server in a network, the computer usable medium comprising:

a reservation receiving module configured to receive from a terminal a reservation request to send signal, representing a request for reservation of transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in the network;

a first transmitting module configured to transmit a first clear to send signal to the terminal;

an admission receiving module configured to receive from the terminal a modified request to send signal, representing a request for admission to transmit data over reserved bandwidth of a communications channel in the network;

a second transmitting module configured to transmit a second clear to send signal; and

a receiving module configured to receive a data packet from the terminal.

39. A method of reserving access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in a network, comprising the steps of:

transmitting from a terminal to a server a reservation request to send signal, indicating a request for reservation of transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in the network;

receiving at the server the reservation request to send signal, representing the request for reservation of transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in the network;

transmitting a first clear to send signal from the server to the terminal;

receiving the first clear to send signal at the terminal;

transmitting from the terminal to the server a modified request to send signal, indicating a request for admission to transmit data over reserved bandwidth of a communications channel in the network;

receiving at the server the modified request to send signal, representing the request for admission to transmit data over reserved bandwidth of a communications channel in the network;

transmitting a second clear to send signal from the server to the terminal;

receiving the second clear to send signal at the terminal;

transmitting a data packet from the terminal to the server, and

receiving the data packet at the server.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

transmitting an acknowledgment signal to the terminal following the receipt of the data packet at the server; and

receiving the acknowledgment signal from the server at the terminal following the transmission of the data packet.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the reservation request to send signal includes a channel level reservation id and an indication of required channel capacity.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the channel level reservation id includes a source id and a unique id from source.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the indication of required channel capacity includes B/I, representing the number of bits (B) to send in an interval (I).

44. The method of claim 41, wherein the indication of required channel capacity includes using a linear bounded arrival process.

45. The method of claim 39, wherein the first clear to send signal contains a channel reservation id.

46. The method of claim 39, wherein the modified request to send signal includes a channel reservation id.

47. The method of claim 39, wherein the fifth transmitting and receiving steps occur by using a bandwidth confirmed by the first clear to send signal.

48. A system for reserving access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in a network, comprising:

a reservation transmitting component configured to transmit from a terminal to a server a reservation request to send signal, indicating a request for reservation of transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in the network;

a reservation receiving component configured to receive at the server the reservation request to send signal, representing the request for reservation of transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in the network;

a first transmitting component configured to transmit a first clear to send signal from the server to the terminal;

a first receiving component configured to receive the first clear to send signal at the terminal;

an admission transmitting component configured to transmit from the terminal to the server a modified request to send signal, indicating a request for admission to transmit data over reserved bandwidth of a communications channel in the network;

an admission receiving component configured to receive at the server the modified request to send signal, representing the request for admission to transmit data over reserved bandwidth of a communications channel in the network;

a second transmitting component configured to transmit a second clear to send signal from the server to the terminal;

a second receiving component configured to receive the second clear to send signal at the terminal;

a transmitting component configured to transmit a data packet from the terminal to the server, and

a receiving component configured to receive the data packet at the server.

49. The system of claim 48, further comprising:

an acknowledgment transmitting an acknowledgment signal to the terminal following the receipt of the data packet at the server; and

an acknowledgment receiving the acknowledgment signal from the server at the terminal following the transmission of the data packet.

50. The system of claim 48, wherein the reservation request to send signal includes a channel level reservation id and an indication of required channel capacity.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the channel level reservation id includes a source id and a unique id from source.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein the indication of required channel capacity includes B/I, representing the number of bits (B) to send in an interval (I).

53. The system of claim 50, wherein the indication of required channel capacity includes using a linear bounded arrival process.

54. The method of claim 48, wherein the first clear to send signal contains a channel reservation id.

55. The method of claim 48, wherein the modified request to send signal includes a channel reservation id.

56. The method of claim 48, wherein the transmitting and receiving steps occur by using a bandwidth confirmed by the first clear to send signal.

57. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for reserving access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in a network, the computer usable medium comprising:

a reservation transmitting module configured to transmit from a terminal to a server a reservation request to send signal, indicating a request for reservation of transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in the network;

a reservation receiving module configured to receive at the server the reservation request to send signal, representing the request for reservation of transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in the network;

a first transmitting module configured to transmit a first clear to send signal from the server to the terminal;

a first receiving module configured to receive the first clear to send signal at the terminal;

an admission transmitting module configured to transmit from the terminal to the server a modified request to send signal, indicating a request for admission to transmit data over reserved bandwidth of a communications channel in the network;

an admission receiving module configured to receive at the server the modified request to send signal, representing the request for admission to transmit data over reserved bandwidth of a communications channel in the network;

a second transmitting module configured to transmit a second clear to send signal from the server to the terminal;

a second receiving module configured to receive the second clear to send signal at the terminal;

a transmitting module configured to transmit a data packet from the terminal to the server, and

a receiving module configured to receive the data packet at the server.

58. A method of processing a reservation request to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel at a terminal in a network, comprising the steps of:

initializing a reservation request to send signal in an initialization state, the reservation request to send signal containing reservation identification information;

transmitting the reservation request to send signal to a server;

waiting for the server to respond to the reservation request to send signal in a reservation pending state;

receiving a clear to send signal from the server;

authorizing a data packet for transmission to the server in a reserve flow state; and

transmitting the data packet to the server in a packet pending state.

59. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

reinitializing the initialization state in the reservation pending state in event of a timeout.

60. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

reinitializing in the reserve flow state in event of a timeout.

61. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

receiving a second clear to send signal from the server; and

authorizing a second data packet for transmission to the server in the reserved flow state.

62. A system for processing a reservation request to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel at a terminal in a network, comprising the steps of:

an initializing component configured to initialize a reservation request to send signal in an initialization state, the reservation request to send signal containing reservation identification information;

a reservation transmitting component configured to transmit the reservation request to send signal to a server;

a waiting component configured to wait for the server to respond to the reservation request to send signal in a reservation pending state;

a receiving component configured to receive a clear to send signal from the server;

an authorizing component configured to authorize a data packet for transmission to the server in a reserve flow state; and

a transmitting component configured to transmit the data packet to the server in a packet pending state.

63. The system of claim 62, further comprising:

a reinitializing component configured to reinitialize the initialization state in the reservation pending state in event of a timeout.

64. The system of claim 62, further comprising:

a reinitializing component configured to reinitialize in the reserve flow state in event of a timeout.

65. The system of claim 62, further comprising:

a second receiving component configured to receive a second clear to send signal from the server; and

a second authorizing component configured to authorize a second data packet for transmission to the server in the reserved flow state.

66. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for processing a reservation request to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel at a terminal in a network, the computer usable medium comprising:

an initializing module configured to initiate a reservation request to send signal in an initialization state, the reservation request to send signal containing reservation identification information;

a reservation transmitting module configured to transmit the reservation request to send signal to a server;

a waiting module configured to wait for the server to respond to the reservation request to send signal in a reservation pending state;

a receiving module configured to receive a clear to send signal from the server;

an authorizing module configured to authorize a data packet for transmission to the server in a reserve flow state; and

a transmitting module configured to transmit the data packet to the server in a packet pending state.

67. A method of processing a reservation request to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel at a server in a network, comprising the steps of:

initializing a reservation request to send signal processor at the server in an initialization state, the reservation request to send signal containing reservation identification information;

receiving a reservation request to send signal from a terminal;

processing the reservation request to send signal at the server, resulting in a reservation request success or reservation request failure in a reserve flow state;

transmitting a clear to send signal to the terminal, when reservation request success in the reserve flow state; and

receiving a data packet at the server.

68. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

reinitializing the initialization state in the reserve flow state, when reservation request failure in the reserve flow state.

69. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

reinitializing the initialization state in the reserve flow state in the event of a timeout.

70. A system for processing a reservation request to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel at a server in a network, comprising:

an initializing component configured to initialize a reservation request to send signal processor at the server in an initialization state, the reservation request to send signal containing reservation identification information;

a reservation receiving component configured to receive receiving a reservation request to send signal from a terminal;

a processing component configured to process the reservation request to send signal at the server, resulting in a reservation request success or reservation request failure in a reserve flow state;

a transmitting component configured to transmit a clear to send signal to the terminal, when reservation request success in the reserve flow state; and

a receiving component configured to receive a data packet at the server.

71. The system of claim 70, further comprising:

a reinitializing component configured to reinitialize the initialization state in the reserve flow state, when reservation request failure in the reserve flow state.

72. The system of claim 70, further comprising:

a reinitializing component configured to reinitialize the initialization state in the reserve flow state in the event of a timeout.

73. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for processing a reservation request to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel at a server in a network, the computer usable medium comprising:

an initializing module configured to initialize a reservation request to send signal processor at the server in an initialization state, the reservation request to send signal containing reservation identification information;

a reservation receiving module configured to receive a reservation request to send signal from a terminal;

a processing module configured to process the reservation request to send signal at the server, resulting in a reservation request success or reservation request failure in a reserve flow state;

a transmitting module configured to transmit a clear to send signal to the terminal, when reservation request success in the reserve flow state; and

a receiving module configured to receive a data packet at the server.

74. A method of processing admission to a server in a network for a reservation request to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel, comprising the steps of:

initializing the server to receive a modified request to send signal in a wait state, the modified request to send signal containing reservation identification information;

authorizing use of bandwidth in a communications channel in response to the modified request to send signal in an admission pending state, when capacity permits; and

rejecting use of bandwidth in a communications channel in response to the modified request to send signal in the admission pending state, when capacity does not permit.

75. The method of claim 74, further comprising:

reinitializing the wait state in the event of an admission success.

76. The method of claim 74, further comprising:

reinitializing the wait state in the event of an admission failure.

77. A system for processing admission to a server in a network for a reservation request to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel, comprising:

an initializing component configured to initialize the server to receive a modified request to send signal in a wait state, the modified request to send signal containing reservation identification information;

an authorizing component configured to authorize use of bandwidth in a communications channel in response to the modified request to send signal in an admission pending state, when capacity permits; and

a rejecting component configured to reject use of bandwidth in a communications channel in response to the modified request to send signal in the admission pending state, when capacity does not permit.

78. The system of claim 77, further comprising:

a reinitializing component configured to reinitialize the wait state in the event of an admission success.

79. The system of claim 77, further comprising:

a reinitializing component configured to reinitialize the wait state in the event of an admission failure.

80. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for processing admission to a server in a network for a reservation request to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel, the computer usable medium comprising:

an initializing module configured to initiate the server to receive a modified request to send signal in a wait state, the modified request to send signal containing reservation identification information;

an authorizing module configured to authorize use of bandwidth in a communications channel in response to the modified request to send signal in an admission pending state, when capacity permits; and

a rejecting module configured to reject use of bandwidth in a communications channel in response to the modified request to send signal in the admission pending state, when capacity does not permit.

81. A method of accessing a network to obtain a reservation of access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request to send signal;

recognizing a reservation type from the request to send signal;

transmitting a reservation request to send signal to a server, when the reservation type is a packet;

generating a unique id and recognizing a channel capacity, when the reservation type is a reservation; and

transmitting a reservation request to send signal to a server, which contains the unique id and the channel capacity, when the reservation type is a reservation.

82. The method of claim 81, further comprising:

transmitting a modified request to send signal to a server, which contains a channel reservation id, when the reservation type is an admission.

83. A system for accessing a network to obtain a reservation of access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel, comprising:

a receiving component configured to receive a request to send signal;

a recognizing component configured to recognize a reservation type from the request to send signal;

a packet transmitting component configured to transmit a reservation request to send signal to a server, when the reservation type is a packet;

a generating component configured to generate a unique id and recognizing a channel capacity, when the reservation type is a reservation; and

a reservation transmitting component configured to transmit a reservation request to send signal to a server, which contains the unique id and the channel capacity, when the reservation type is a reservation.

84. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

an admission transmitting component configured to transmit a modified request to send signal to a server, which contains a channel reservation id, when the reservation type is an admission.

85. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for accessing a network to obtain a reservation of access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel, the computer usable medium comprising:

a receiving module configured to receive a request to send signal;

a recognizing module configured to recognize a reservation type from the request to send signal;

a packet transmitting module configured to transmit a reservation request to send signal to a server, when the reservation type is a packet;

a generating module configured to generate a unique id and recognizing a channel capacity, when the reservation type is a reservation; and

a reservation transmitting module configured to transmit a reservation request to send signal to a server, which contains the unique id and the channel capacity, when the reservation type is a reservation.

86. A method of processing a reservation request for access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in a network, comprising the steps of:

receiving a reservation request to send signal in an initialization state;

recognizing a channel capacity from the reservation request;

comparing the channel capacity to a used capacity, the used capacity being based on active reservations;

determining whether the channel capacity and the used capacity exceed a total capacity;

rejecting the reservation request, when the channel capacity exceeds the total capacity; and

approving the reservation request, when the channel capacity does not exceed the total capacity.

87. The method of claim 86, further comprising:

reinitializing the initialization state in the event of a time out.

88. A system for processing a reservation request for access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in a network, comprising:

a receiving component configured to receive a reservation request to send signal in an initialization state;

a recognizing component configured to recognize a channel capacity from the reservation request;

a comparing component configured to compare the channel capacity to a used capacity, the used capacity being based on active reservations;

a determining component configured to determine whether the channel capacity and the used capacity exceed a total capacity;

a rejecting component configured to reject the reservation request, when the channel capacity exceeds the total capacity; and

an approving component configured to approve the reservation request, when the channel capacity does not exceed the total capacity.

89. The system of claim 88, further comprising:

a reinitializing component configured to reinitialize the initialization state in the event of a time out.

90. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for processing a reservation request for access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in a network, the computer usable medium comprising:

a receiving module configured to receive a reservation request to send signal in an initialization state;

a recognizing module configured to recognize a channel capacity from the reservation request;

a comparing module configured to compare the channel capacity to a used capacity, the used capacity being based active reservations;

a determining module configured to determine whether the channel capacity and the used capacity exceed a total capacity;

a rejecting module configured to reject the reservation request, when the channel capacity exceeds the total capacity; and

an approving module configured to approve the reservation request, when the channel capacity does not exceed the total capacity.

91. A method of processing an admission request for access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in a network, comprising the steps of:

receiving a modified request to send signal from a terminal, the modified request to send signal containing reservation identification information;

recognizing a channel capacity scheme, providing for a computation scheme for an available communications capacity of the network;

computing an available capacity, representing the available communications capacity of the network;

admitting the modified request to send signal, when the modified request to send signal requests a capacity less than or equal to the available capacity; and

rejecting the modified request to send signal, when the modified request to send signal requests a capacity more than the available capacity.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein the admitting step includes transmitting a clear to send signal to the terminal.

93. The method of claim 91, wherein the channel capacity scheme utilizes a moving window descriptor.

94. The method of claim 91, wherein the channel capacity scheme utilizes a leaky bucket descriptor.

95. A system for processing an admission request for access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in a network, comprising:

a receiving component configured to receive a modified request to send signal from a terminal, the modified request to send signal containing reservation identification information;

a recognizing component configured to recognize a channel capacity scheme, providing for a computation scheme for an available communications capacity of the network;

a computing component configured to compute an available capacity, representing the available communications capacity of the network;

an admitting component configured to admit the modified request to send signal, when the modified request to send signal, when the modified request to send signal requests a capacity less than or equal to the available capacity; and

a rejecting component configured to reject the modified request to send signal, when the modified request to send signal requests a capacity more than the available capacity.

96. The system of claim 95, wherein the admitting component includes a transmitting component configured to transmit a clear to send signal to the terminal.

97. The system of claim 95, wherein the channel capacity scheme utilizes a moving window descriptor.

98. The system of claim 95, wherein the channel capacity scheme utilizes the leaky bucket descriptor.

99. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for processing an admission request for access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel in a network, the computer usable medium comprising:

a receiving module configured to receive a modified request to send signal from a terminal, the modified request to send signal containing reservation identification information;

a recognizing module configured to recognize a channel capacity scheme, providing for a computation scheme for an available communications capacity of the network;

a computing module configured to compute an available capacity, representing the available communications capacity of the network;

an admitting module configured to admit the modified request to send signal, when the modified request to send signal requests a capacity less than or equal to the available capacity; and

a rejecting module configured to reject the modified request to send signal, when the modified request to send signal requests a capacity more than the available capacity.

100. A method of reserving channel access in a network, comprising the steps of:

transmitting from a client to a server a request for reservation of access to a communications channel in the network for transmission of information using a particular bandwidth, the request for reservation of access containing reservation identification information;

determining if sufficient bandwidth in the channel exists to provide the requested transmission; and

transmitting from the server to the client an indication of acceptance of the reservation, when sufficient bandwidth exists.

101. A system for reserving channel access in a network, comprising:

a reservation transmitting component configured to transmit from a client to a server a request for reservation of access to a communications channel in the network for transmission of information using a particular bandwidth, the request for reservation of access containing reservation identification information;

a determining component configured to determine if sufficient bandwidth in the channel exists to provide the requested transmission; and

an acceptance transmitting component configured to transmit from the server to the client an indication of acceptance of the reservation, when sufficient bandwidth exists.

102. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for reserving channel access in a network, the computer usable medium comprising:

a reservation transmitting module configured to transmit from a client to a server a request for reservation of access to a communications channel in the network for transmission of information using a particular bandwidth, the request for reservation of access containing reservation identification information;

a determining module configured to determine if sufficient bandwidth in the channel exists to provide the requested transmission; and

an acceptance transmitting module configured to transmit from the server to the client an indication of acceptance of the reservation, when sufficient bandwidth exists.

103. A method of establishing a transmission protocol in communications network, comprising the steps of:

transmitting from a client to a server a signal requesting access to a communications channel in the network for transmission of information using a particular bandwidth;

determining, based upon reservations issued for the channel and available bandwidth for the channel, if sufficient bandwidth in the channel exists to provide the requested transmission; and

transmitting from the server to the client an indication of acceptance of the reservation, when sufficient bandwidth exists.

104. A system for establishing a transmission protocol in communications network, comprising:

a reservation transmitting component configured to transmit from a client to a server a signal requesting access to a communications channel in the network for transmission of information using a particular bandwidth;

p1 a determining component configured to determine, based upon reservations issued for the channel and available bandwidth for the channel, if sufficient bandwidth in the channel exists to provide the requested transmission; and

an acceptance transmitting component configured to transmit from the server to the client an indication of acceptance of the reservation, when sufficient bandwidth exists.

105. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for establishing a transmission protocol in communications network, the computer usable medium comprising:

a reservation transmitting module configured to transmit from a client to a server a signal requesting access to a communications channel in the network for transmission of information using a particular bandwidth;

a determining module configured to determine, based upon reservations issued for the channel and available bandwidth for the channel, if sufficient bandwidth in the channel exists to provide the requested transmission; and

an acceptance transmitting module configured to transmit from the server to the client an indication of acceptance of the reservation, when sufficient bandwidth exists.

106. A control message stored in a computer-readable medium for use in establishing transmission protocol in a communications network, comprising:

a computer-readable medium storing a reservation signal requesting a reservation for access to a channel in the communications network for transmitting information using a particular bandwidth, the reservation signal requesting a reservation containing reservation identification information, the reservation signal used by a server for allocating bandwidth in the communications channel and transmitting signals providing access to the channel for transmission of information using particular bandwidths.