Systems and methods for dynamic network channel modification

• US 8,300,540 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• 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: Park, Daniel J., Ayyagari, Deepak, Peponides, George M., Petranovich, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAN, SAI MING
• Application Number:
  US11/089,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20050169177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,778 Days
• Field of Search: 370/230, 370/252, 370/395.21
• 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 methods and systems for establishment and modification of network allocation parameters.

Claims

1. A method for modifying network allocation parameters for a network connection, said method comprising:

a) establishing a plurality of network connections with network allocation parameters for each of said network connections, wherein said plurality of network connections comprises a first network connection for a first network device and a second network connection for a second network device;

b) detecting a need for modification of said network allocation parameters for said first network connection, wherein said need is based on a change in said network allocation parameters for said second network connection;

c) generating a modified connection allocation for said first network connection;

d) sending said modified connection allocation to a said first device using said network connection;

e) testing said modified connection allocation with said first device; and

f) modifying said connection allocation parameters for said first network connection according to said modified connection allocation if said testing is successful.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises receiving a bandwidth change request.

3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises receiving a QoS change request.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises detecting a change in network channel conditions.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises detecting a fixed periodic allocation that will interfere with said connection.

6. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises receiving a potentially interfering connection request with a higher QoS priority.

7. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises

receiving a new network connection request that cannot be satisfied without

modification of said network allocation parameters for said network connection.

8. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises detecting overall network inefficiency.

9. A method for modifying network allocation parameters for a network connection, said method comprising:

a) establishing a plurality of network connections with a central coordinator (CCo), wherein said plurality of network connections comprises a first connection between a first network device and a second network device, said first connection comprising first network allocation parameters, said plurality of network connections further comprising a second network connection between a third network device and a fourth network device, said second network connection comprising second network allocation parameters;

b) receiving a QoS change request for said second network connection at said CCo, wherein said QoS request cannot be granted without modification of said network allocation parameters for said first network connection;

c) modifying said connection allocation parameters for said first network connection, with said CCo, to fulfill said QoS request.

10. A method as described in claim 9 wherein said QoS change request comprises a bandwidth change request.

11. A method as described in claim 9 wherein said QoS change

request comprises a potentially interfering connection request with a higher QoS priority.

12. A method for modifying network allocation parameters for a network connection, said method comprising:

a) establishing a plurality of network connections, said network connections comprising a first network connection and a second network connection wherein said first network connection comprises first network allocation parameters and said second network connection comprises second network allocation parameters;

b) monitoring a network condition related to said second network connection;

c) generating a modified connection allocation when said network condition meets a criterion, wherein said modified connection allocation increases bandwidth for said second network connection to adjust to said network condition and said modified connection allocation decreases bandwidth to said second network connection to provide additional bandwidth to said second network connection; and

d) modifying said first network allocation parameters for said first_network connection according to said modified connection allocation when said testing is successful.

13. A method as described in claim 12 wherein said network condition comprises network channel conditions.

14. A method as described in claim 12 wherein said network condition comprises allocations for said second network connection.

15. A method as described in claim 12 wherein said network condition comprises QoS priorities for said second network connection.

16. A method as described in claim 12 wherein said network condition comprises overall network efficiency.

17. A method as described in claim 12 wherein said network condition comprises a change in error rate for a sub-channel.

18. A method as described in claim 12 wherein said network condition comprises the quantity of connections.

19. A method as described in claim 12 wherein said network condition comprises the relative priority of said first network connection and said second network connection.

20. A method for allocating network resources, said method comprising:

a) establishing a plurality of network connections with network allocation parameters for each of said network connections, wherein said plurality of network connections comprises a first network connection for a first network device and a second network connection for a second network device;

b) monitoring the performance of sub-channels allocated to said second network devices;

c) monitoring the QoS priority of said sub-channel allocations;

d) monitoring the network efficiency cost of sub-channels that must be assigned as guard bands or pilot signals based on the modulation of said sub-channels allocated to said second network device; and

e) modifying at least one sub-channel allocated to said first network device to improve overall network efficiency based on said monitoring of said sub-channels allocated to said second network device.

21. An apparatus for modifying network allocation parameters, said apparatus comprising:

a) a connection establisher for establishing a plurality of network connections, comprising a first network connection comprising first network allocation parameters and a second network connection comprising second network allocation parameters;

b) a detector for detecting a need for a network allocation parameter change based on a change in a connection need for said second network connection;

c) a network allocation modifier for generating a first modified network allocation with modified first network allocation parameters for said first network connection based on said need for said second network connection;

d) a sender for sending said modified allocation parameters to a first device using said first network allocation parameters;

e) a tester for testing said modified first network allocation parameters, said tester being resident on said first device using said first network allocation parameters; and

f) a connection modifier for implementing said modified first network allocation parameters when said tester achieves a successful test.

22. A system for managing network connections, said system comprising:

a) a central controller (CCo);

b) a first network device, said first device comprising a network parameter tester;

c) a second network device;

d) a communication medium connecting said CCo, said first network device and said second network device;

e) wherein said CCo establishes a first connection between said first network device and said second network device, said connection comprising a network allocation parameter;

f) wherein said CCo detects a condition that relates to a second connection of said medium, wherein said second connection does not connect between said first network device and said second network device, and wherein said CCo generates a modified network allocation parameter and sends said modified network allocation parameter to said first device for testing;

g) wherein said CCo implements said modified network allocation parameter when said testing is successful.