Method and apparatus enabling enhanced throughput efficiency by use of dynamically adjustable mini-slots in access protocols for shared transmission media
US5953344A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 14, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2012/6456
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A head-end dynamically allocates bandwidth of a communications channel as a function of the type of communications traffic. In particular, the head-end communicates to subscriber stations via a broadband cable network using an access protocol, which is modified to provide a variable number of mini-slots and a variable number of data slots in each frame. Each mini-slot is used to request assignment of a data slot(s) to subscriber stations for the communication of information and, also, as a vehicle to resolve contention between subscriber stations. The head-end dynamically adjusts the number of mini-slots over a period time as a function of the type of communications traffic, e.g., bursty and isochronous traffic sources. Any variation in the number of mini-slots concomitantly effects the number of data slots available to communicate information. For example, less mini-slots provides more data slots. As a result, the dynamic adjustment of the number of mini-slots allows the head-end to more efficiently allocate bandwidth on the communications channel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.