Dynamic bandwidth allocation within a communications channel
US6775303B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04J3/1623
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A communications device is presented that allows dynamic bandwidth allocation of an unswitched data path based upon the current utilization of one or more switched data channels. The device operates over the local loop of a digital communications carrier, such as a T1 line, that has a variety of time division multiplexed channels. Each data channel can be configured to operate as a channel dedicated to carrying unswitched data on the unswitched data path, or as a switched channel. Switched channels maintain status information about their current status, allowing switched data communication when the channel's status is active, and permitting the unswitched data path to utilize the channel when the channel's status is idle. In one embodiment, channel status information is passed to a remote unit by altering a redundant robbed-bit signaling bit in a multiframe. In a second embodiment, channel status is determined by monitoring switching information that is already transmitted about the channel. In the second embodiment, a preset time delay is required to properly synchronize bandwidth switching. Unswitched data is transmitted over the switched data channels utilizing all bit locations…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.