Systems and methods for network channel allocation

• US 8,050,184 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Petranovich, James E., Ayyagari, Deepak, Peponides, George M., Park, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harper; Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAN, SAI MING
• Application Number:
  US11/089,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20050169192A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,414 Days
• Field of Search: 370/252, 370/329
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0039 Frequency-contiguous, i.e. with no allocation of frequencies for one user or terminal between the frequencies allocated to another
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0041 Frequency-non-contiguous
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0046 Determination of how many bits are transmitted on different sub-channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/16 Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/08 Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA hybrid access H04W74/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for network connection setup and bandwidth allocation comprising negotiable and non-negotiable modulation allocation procedures.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a network connection, said method comprising:

a) receiving a request for a network connection at a network central coordinator device (CCo), wherein said CCo allocates network bandwidth to network devices and said request is received from a network device seeking a bandwidth allocation;

b) receiving an indication of said connection'"'"'s sensitivity to connection negotiation delay at said CCo;

c) assigning a negotiable modulation allocation to said network device when said sensitivity to network connection negotiation delay is not significant, wherein said assigning is performed by said CCo comprising a processor and a memory; and

d) assigning a fixed modulation allocation, with said CCo, when said sensitivity to network connection negotiation delay is significant.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said indication of said connection'"'"'s sensitivity to connection negotiation delay is a QoS parameter.

3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said indication of said connection'"'"'s sensitivity to connection negotiation delay is determined by the type of device requesting said network connection.

4. A method for establishing a network connection, said method comprising:

a) initiating a request for a network connection by sending a connection request from a network device to a network central coordinator (CCo), wherein said CCo allocates network bandwidth to network devices;

b) sending an indication of said network connection'"'"'s sensitivity to connection negotiation delay, wherein said sending is performed by a said network device comprising a processor and a memory;

c) receiving a negotiable modulation allocation, at said network device from said CCo, when said sensitivity to network connection negotiation delay is not significant; and

d) receiving a fixed modulation allocation from said CCo, at said network device, when said sensitivity to network connection negotiation delay is significant.

5. A method as described in claim 4 wherein said indication of said connection'"'"'s sensitivity to connection negotiation delay is a QoS parameter.

6. A method as described in claim 4 wherein said indication of said connection'"'"'s sensitivity to connection negotiation delay is determined by the type of device requesting said network connection.

7. A method for establishing a network connection, said method comprising:

a) receiving a request for a network connection, at a network bandwidth allocation device comprising a processor and a memory, said request being received from a network device,

b) granting a negotiable modulation allocation to said network device, with said network bandwidth allocation device, when said connection will not be adversely impacted by connection modulation negotiation; and

c) granting a fixed modulation allocation, with said network bandwidth allocation device, when said connection will be adversely impacted by connection modulation negotiation.

8. A method as described in claim 7 further comprising establishing a channel analysis period.

9. A method as described in claim 7 further comprising receiving a configured bandwidth report.

10. A method for establishing a network connection, said method comprising:

a) sending a request for a network connection from a network device comprising a processor and a memory to a network coordinator (CCo), wherein said CCo allocates network bandwidth to network devices,

b) receiving a negotiable modulation allocation from said CCo at said network device, when said connection will not be adversely impacted by connection modulation negotiation; and

c) receiving a fixed modulation allocation from said CCo at said network device, when said connection will be adversely impacted by connection modulation negotiation.

11. A method as described in claim 10 further comprising sending a configured bandwidth report.

12. A method as described in claim 10 further comprising negotiating connection modulation parameters.

13. A method as described in claim 10 further comprising sending and measuring a known pattern between network devices.

14. A method as described in claim 10 further comprising sending modulation parameters between network devices.

15. An apparatus for establishing a network connection, said apparatus comprising:

a) a receiver for receiving a request for a network connection from a network device; and

b) a connection manager for granting network connection allocations to network devices, wherein a negotiable modulation allocation is granted when said connection will not be adversely impacted by connection modulation negotiation; and

c) wherein a fixed modulation allocation is granted when said connection will be adversely impacted by connection modulation negotiation.

16. An apparatus for establishing a network connection, said apparatus comprising:

a) a requester for requesting a network connection from a network central coordinator (CCo), wherein said CCo allocates network bandwidth to network devices,

b) an indicator for indicating a sensitivity to connection negotiation delay;

c) a negotiator for negotiating connection modulation parameters with said CCo when said sensitivity to connection negotiation delay is low; and

d) a receiver for receiving a network connection allocation from said CCo, wherein said receiver receives a fixed network allocation when said sensitivity to connection negotiation delay is high.