Communication structure for multiplexed links
First Claim
1. A communications structure for communicating between a network node and at least two subscriber stations through a multiplexed link, said structure comprising:
- a plurality of dedicated channels, each dedicated channel having allocated to it a portion of the transmission capacity of said link to provide communication between said network node and one of said at least two subscriber stations; and
a shared downlink channel having allocated to it a portion of the transmission capacity of said link and wherein said shared downlink channel is operable to transmit frames of packets from said network node to said at least two subscriber stations, at least some such frames including packets of data addressed to different ones of said at least two subscriber stations wherein said structure includes at least a preselected minimum number of said dedicated channels and said portion of the transmission capacity of said link allocated to said shared downlink channel comprises the balance of said transmission capacity that is not occupied by said dedicated channels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication structure and method which allows connection-like and connectionless communications to be provided on a multiplexed link is provided. The structure and method can make efficient use of available transmission capacity and/or network resources while providing both types of communication and hybrids. Connection-like communications can be provided by a channel having allocated transmission capacity dedicated to the communication while connectionless communication can be provided by a shared channel through which data can be transmitted to subscribers. In an embodiment, the shared channel transmits frames of packets addressed to one or more of the subscribers. The allocation of transmission capacity between the dedicated channels and the shared channel can be fixed, or can be managed to meet network or network operator requirements. The structure and method can also be managed by the network operator to permit prioritization of some communications over others. In another embodiment, two or more shared channels are provided.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A communications structure for communicating between a network node and at least two subscriber stations through a multiplexed link, said structure comprising:
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a plurality of dedicated channels, each dedicated channel having allocated to it a portion of the transmission capacity of said link to provide communication between said network node and one of said at least two subscriber stations; and a shared downlink channel having allocated to it a portion of the transmission capacity of said link and wherein said shared downlink channel is operable to transmit frames of packets from said network node to said at least two subscriber stations, at least some such frames including packets of data addressed to different ones of said at least two subscriber stations wherein said structure includes at least a preselected minimum number of said dedicated channels and said portion of the transmission capacity of said link allocated to said shared downlink channel comprises the balance of said transmission capacity that is not occupied by said dedicated channels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of transmitting data from a network node to a plurality of subscriber stations over a multiplexed link, comprising the steps of:
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(i) determining the requirements for a first data transmission intended for a subscriber station; (ii) selecting the use of a dedicated channel or a shared downlink channel to effect said first data transmission in accordance with said determined requirements;
wherein said selected channel is selected from at least a preselected minimum number of dedicated channels each allocated a portion of the transmission capacity of said link and said shared downlink channel, and the portion of the transmission capacity of said link allocated to said shared downlink channel comprises the balance of said transmission capacity that is not occupied by said dedicated channels; and
and(iii) if a dedicated channel is selected, obtaining a dedicated channel when available and transmitting said first data transmission thereon and if a shared downlink channel is selected, transmitting said first data transmission on said shared downlink channel in the form of data packets addressed to said subscriber station, said data packets assembled into frames, at least some such frames including packets of data addressed to different ones of said subscriber stations. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of managing a transmission structure for transmitting data from a network node to a plurality of subscriber stations over a multiplexed link, comprising the steps of:
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(i) allocating a portion of the bandwidth of said multiplexed link to create a number of dedicated channels, each of which can be assigned to a different one of said subscriber stations; (ii) allocating a portion of the remaining bandwidth of said multiplexed link to a shared downlink channel which can communicate with a plurality of said subscriber stations, data transmission on said shared downlink channel in the form of data packets assembled into frames, at least some such frames including packets of data addressed to different ones of said subscriber stations; (iii) monitoring the requirements for dedicated channels in said structure and reallocating bandwidth of said multiplexed link between said shared downlink channel and said dedicated channels to create or remove dedicated channels as required. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification