Methods and apparatus for data communications through packet networks

• US 7,957,369 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2010
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mindspeed Technologies Inc. (MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Johnston, James W., Peshkin, Joel D., Fayad, Gilles G., Wren, Paul C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moe; Aung S
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIYAMI, ABDULLA A
• Application Number:
  US12/660,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20100158027A1
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 370/222, 370/244, 370/352, 370/353, 370/355, 370/380, 370/395.2, 370/401, 370/402, 370/427, 370/435, 370/442, 370/463, 370/466, 370/498, 370/503, 370/507, 370/510, 370/512, 370/513, 370/514, 370/515, 370/535, 379/91.01, 379/88.25, 379/85.13, 379/88.17, 379/89
• US Class Current: 370/352
• 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. A method for use by a first gateway having a first gateway modem 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, said second gateway having a second gateway modem;

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

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

requesting said first modem to enter a wait state after said determining of said first set of data link parameters;

negotiating by said first gateway with said second gateway, on behalf of said first modem and said second modem, respectively, to determine a final set of parameters supported by both said first modem and said second modem based on said first set of data link parameters and a second set of data link parameters, wherein said second set of data link parameters are supported by both said second modem and said second gateway modem;

sending, after determining said final set of parameters, a ready to resume message to said first modem by said first gateway modem indicating that said first gateway modem is ready to resume from said wait state;

establishing, after said sending of said ready to resume message, a first data link between said first gateway modem and said first modem over said first physical link connection using said final set of data link parameters;

configuring said first gateway modem for passively transporting first data link information received from said first modem over said first data link to said second gateway over said packet network, wherein said first data link includes a modem error correction, and wherein said passively transporting of said first data link information is a transportation performed without applying said modem error correction to said first data link information by said first gateway modem and said second gateway modem.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said second gateway modem informs said second modem of said call over a second telephone line, and wherein said second gateway modem negotiates with said second modem over said second telephone line to establish a second physical link connection.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said gateway-to-gateway transport link is an unreliable transport link.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first data link is based on ITU V.42 standard.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said requesting said first modem to enter said wait state includes transmitting an RNR by said first gateway modem to said first modem.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said ready to resume message is an RR transmitted by said first gateway modem to said first modem.

7. 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;

one or more microprocessors 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, said second gateway having a second gateway modem;

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

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

request said first modem to enter a wait state after said determining of said first set of data link parameters;

negotiate by said first gateway with said second gateway, on behalf of said first modem and said second modem, respectively, to determine a final set of parameters supported by both said first modem and said second modem based on said first set of data link parameters and a second set of data link parameters, wherein said second set of data link parameters are supported by both said second modem and said second gateway modem;

send, after determining said final set of parameters, a ready to resume message to said first modem by said first gateway modem indicating that said first gateway modem is ready to resume from said wait state;

establish, after said sending of said ready to resume message, a first data link between said first gateway modem and said first modem over said first physical link connection using said final set of data link parameters;

configure said first gateway modem for passively transporting first data link information received from said first modem over said first data link to said second gateway over said packet network, wherein said first data link includes a modem error correction, and wherein said passively transporting of said first data link information is a transportation performed without applying said modem error correction to said first data link information by said first gateway modem and said second gateway modem.

8. The first gateway of claim 7, wherein said second gateway modem informs said second modem of said call over a second telephone line, and wherein said second gateway modem negotiates with said second modem over said second telephone line to establish a second physical link connection.

9. The first gateway of claim 7, wherein said gateway-to-gateway transport link is an unreliable transport link.

10. The first gateway of claim 7, wherein said first data link is based on ITU V.42 standard.

11. The first gateway of claim 10, wherein said requesting said first modem to enter said wait state includes transmitting an RNR by said first gateway modem to said first modem.

12. The first gateway of claim 11, wherein said ready to resume message an RR transmitted by said first gateway modem to said first modem.

13. A method for use by a first gateway having a first gateway modem 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, said second gateway having a second gateway modem;

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

requesting said first modem to enter a wait state after said determining of said first set of data link parameters;

negotiating by said first gateway with said second gateway, on behalf of said first modem and said second modem, respectively, to determine a final set of parameters supported by both said first modem and said second modem based on said first set of data link parameters and a second set of data link parameters, wherein said second set of data link parameters are supported by both said second modem and said second gateway modem;

sending, after determining said final set of parameters, a ready to resume message to said first modem by said first gateway modem indicating that said first gateway modem is ready to resume from said wait state;

establishing, after said sending of said ready to resume message, a first data link between said first gateway modem and said first modem over said first physical link connection using said final set of data link parameters;

configuring said first gateway modem for passively transporting first data link information received from said first modem over said first data link to said second gateway over said packet network, wherein said first data link includes a modem error correction, and wherein said passively transporting of said first data link information is a transportation performed without applying said modem error correction to said first data link information by said first gateway modem and said second gateway modem.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said gateway-to-gateway reliable transport link uses a different modem error correction than said first data link and said second data link.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said first data link includes data compression.

16. 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;

one or more microprocessors 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 first set of data link parameters supported by said first modem and said first gateway modem;

request said first modem to enter a wait state after said determining of said first set of data link parameters;

negotiate by said first gateway with said second gateway, on behalf of said first modem and said second modem, respectively, to determine a final set of parameters supported by both said first modem and said second modem based on said first set of data link parameters and a second set of data link parameters, wherein said second set of data link parameters are supported by both said second modem and said second gateway modem;

send, after determining said final set of parameters, a ready to resume message to said first modem by said first gateway modem indicating that said first gateway modem is ready to resume from said wait state;

establish, after said sending of said ready to resume message, a first data link between said first gateway modem and said first modem over said first physical link connection using said final set of data link parameters;

configure said first gateway modem for passively transporting first data link information received from said first modem over said first data link to said second gateway over said packet network, wherein said first data link includes a modem error correction, and wherein said passively transporting of said first data link information is a transportation performed without applying said modem error correction to said first data link information by said first gateway modem and said second gateway modem.

17. The first gateway of claim 16, wherein said gateway-to-gateway reliable transport link uses a different modem error correction than said first data link and said second data link.

18. The first gateway of claim 16, wherein said first data link includes data compression.