The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 27, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 04, 1998
Victor T. Hou, La Jolla, CA (US);
Jonathon A. Fellows, Del Mar, CA (US);
General Instrument Corporation, Horsham, PA (US);
Abstract
Bandwidth is adaptively allocated in an upstream channel of a layered data communication network such as that used for carrying messages from a number of subscriber units (,) to a central controller (,), for example, to allow the subscriber units to send data for Internet access, videoconferencing, or voice communication. A running total of unallocated bandwidth (BWA(j)) is maintained in successive control intervals. A traffic count (C(i)) is determined for each subscriber unit by measuring the bandwidth which is used, for example, by counting the number of slots used in a control interval. The assigned bandwidth (B(i)) of the subscriber units is then adjusted when a ratio (K) of the traffic count to the assigned bandwidth is at or below a lower threshold (T,), and the running total of unallocated bandwidth is incremented by the decrease in the assigned bandwidth. The assigned bandwidth may be increased when a ratio (K) of the traffic count to the assigned bandwidth is at or above an upper threshold (T,) by distributing the unallocated bandwidth among the subscriber units. A subscriber unit hierarchy may be used to grant priority to selected users.