Methods and apparatus for using gap packets to create a bandwidth buffer over which packets can be sent to reduce or eliminate overflow conditions
US7742410B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 22, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L47/36
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for using gap packets to create a bandwidth buffer over which packets can be sent to reduce or eliminate overflow conditions. One implementation sends a series of packets from a first device to a second device, the series of packets including interspersed information packets and gap packets. The first device determines when to insert the gap packets into the series of packets, and the gap packets received by the second device are dropped. The determination of when to insert one of the gap packets into the series of packets may be based on an occupancy level of a buffer, such as, but not limited to comparing it to a predetermined or variable threshold value. Also, the rate of sending gap packets and/or the size of the gap packets may be varied to adjust the size of bandwidth buffer created by the gap packets.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.