Abstract: A method for file block placement in a distributed file system network that includes a plurality of data storage nodes, the method comprising the steps of generating a plurality of file block placement options for a file block, each block placement option being associated with at least one of the data storage nodes, the file block placement options being based on a set of network parameters associated with the distributed file system, determining a cost valuation parameter associated with each of the plurality of file block placement options, and selecting one of the plurality of file block placement options based at least in part on the cost valuation parameter associated with each file block placement option.

Abstract: A communication station, such as a base station or access point, has multiple backhaul options and distributes backhaul data between the available backhaul options. The communication station includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data with user equipments, multiple backhaul interface modules, and a backhaul distribution module arranged for monitoring demand for backhaul bandwidth and distributing data over the backhauls based on the demand for backhaul bandwidth. Additional modules for user data and control plane processing may be included with the user/control distinction used in distributing data over the backhauls. The backhaul options may include a preferred backhaul and an alternate backhaul. Distributing data over the backhauls may be based, for example, on applications associated with the data, financial cost, delay, robustness, computational resources, and/or additional security associated with using a particular backhaul.

Abstract: Access nodes and methods adjust a bit rate of a data stream in a communication network. The access nodes and methods have a packet inspection unit configured to inspect one or more of the data packets to determine that the data stream includes video data. A congestion unit is coupled to the packet inspection unit and is configured to determine a level of congestion in the communication network, the level of congestion associated with a capacity of the wireless channel, the level of congestion capable of varying over time, and the capacity of the wireless channel capable of varying with the level of congestion. A video scaling unit is configured to adjust the bit rate of the data stream responsive to the packet inspection unit and the congestion unit.

Abstract: Video streaming with buffer occupancy prediction based quality adaptation is provided by obtaining a plurality of segment lengths each of which corresponds to each one of a set of video segments, each video segment being associated with one of multiple candidate video representations, predicting a segment transfer time for each obtained segment length, and selecting one of the multiple candidate video representations, the selection being based at least in part on a buffer occupancy variation corresponding to each predicted segment transfer time.

Abstract: An access node is provided in a wireless communication network for conducting interference resolution of a received signal, the access node comprising a transceiver module, a backhaul module, and a memory. The access node further comprises a processor coupled to the transceiver module, the backhaul module and the memory and configured to identify a neighboring access node in the wireless communication network, to exchange, via the backhaul module, communication parameters with the neighboring access node, to receive, via the transceiver module, a signal comprising a transmission from a first user equipment and an interfering transmission from a second user equipment, the signal being received over a plurality of uplink resources, to receive, via the backhaul module, resource information from the neighboring access node, the resource information corresponding to the plurality of uplink resources, and to apply the resource information for interference resolution of the received signal.

Abstract: Capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems optimize performance by selectively discarding packets. Changes in the communication systems may be driven using control responses. Control responses include intelligent discard of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. Packets are prioritized and discard decisions are made based on the prioritization. Various embodiments provide an interactive response by selectively discarding packets to enhance perceived and actual system throughput, provide a reactive response by selectively discarding data packets based on their relative impact to service quality to mitigate oversubscription, provide a proactive response by discarding packets based on predicted oversubscription, or provide a combination thereof. Packets may be prioritized for discard using correlations between discards and bandwidth reduction and quality degradation. The quality degradation for video packets may be measured objectively.

Abstract: A smart node in a local area network, the smart node comprising a first transceiver module for communicating with a plurality of other nodes in the local area network, a second transceiver module for communicating with an access node in a wide area network, and a processor that is configured to establish a connection with at least one neighboring node in the local area network, determine a portal candidate score for the smart node based on at least one node characteristic value, determine if the smart node is acceptable to act as a portal between the local area network and the wide area network, and connect, in the case that the smart node is acceptable to act as a portal, to the access node in the wide area network.

Abstract: A method of capturing a photograph of a user's face with a mobile device includes determining alignment of an image of the user's face with a camera of the mobile device; providing one of a visual indicator and an audible sound as an alignment verification aid which indicates to the user when facial alignment is favorable; and taking a photograph of the user's face when alignment of the user's face with the camera is favorable.

Abstract: An application manager node in a communication network, including a transceiver module configured to monitor data communication in the communication network, and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to receive, from at least one terminal node, application information related to at least one application data stream associated with at least one application operating in the at least one terminal node, update, based on the application information, a relationship map that includes a relationship between each of the at least one application data stream and an access node, determine an overall quality metric value associated with the access node based at least in part on the application information received from one or more of the at least one terminal node, and select, based on the overall quality metric value, at least one mitigation option for one or more of the at least one application data stream.

Abstract: A terminal node in a communication network having an access node, the terminal node including a transceiver module configured to send data packets to, and receive data packets from, the access node, and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to detect at least one application data stream by monitoring the data packets sent to, and received from, the access node via the communication network, determine a data stream quality metric for each application data stream, determine an overall quality metric value based on the data stream quality metric for one or more of the application data streams, select at least one mitigation option associated with one or more of the application data streams based on the overall quality metric value, and implement the at least one mitigation option on the associated one or more application data streams.

Abstract: Capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems optimize performance by selectively discarding packets. Changes in the communication systems may be driven using control responses. Control responses include intelligent discard of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. Packets are prioritized and discard decisions are made based on the prioritization. Various embodiments provide an interactive response by selectively discarding packets to enhance perceived and actual system throughput, provide a reactive response by selectively discarding data packets based on their relative impact to service quality to mitigate oversubscription, provide a proactive response by discarding packets based on predicted oversubscription, or provide a combination thereof. Packets may be prioritized for discard using correlations between discards and bandwidth reduction and quality degradation. The quality degradation for video packets may be measured objectively.

Abstract: A communication station, such as a base station or access point, has multiple backhaul options and distributes backhaul data between the available backhaul options. The communication station includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data with user equipments, multiple backhaul interface modules, and a backhaul distribution module arranged for monitoring demand for backhaul bandwidth and distributing data over the backhauls based on the demand for backhaul bandwidth. Additional modules for user data and control plane processing may be included with the user/control distinction used in distributing data over the backhauls. The backhaul options may include a preferred backhaul and an alternate backhaul. Distributing data over the backhauls may be based, for example, on applications associated with the data, financial cost, delay, robustness, computational resources, and/or additional security associated with using a particular backhaul.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a parameterized scheduling system that incorporates end-user application awareness and can be used with scheduling groups that contain data streams from heterogeneous applications. Individual data queues within a scheduling group can be created based on application class, specific application, individual data streams or some combination thereof. Application information and Application Factors (AF) are used to modify scheduler parameters such as weights and credits to differentiate between data streams assigned to a scheduling group. Dynamic AF settings may adjust relative importance of user applications to maximize user Quality of Experience (QoE) in response to recurring network patterns, one-time events, application characteristics, protocol characteristics, device characteristics, service level agreements, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods can use client-side video buffer occupancy for enhanced quality of experience in a communication network. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. Example control responses include responses for scheduling of packets under capacity constrained conditions. An access node, such as a base station, may transmit video from a server to a client in a user device. The access node can estimate client-side video buffer occupancy and predict video playback stalls. The client-side video buffer occupancy can be estimated by emulating behavior of the client. The buffer occupancy can be used to enhance quality of experience for the user. For example, when the buffer occupancy is low, the access node may increase scheduling priority of packets conveying the video.

Abstract: A communication station, such as a base station or access point, has multiple backhaul options and distributes backhaul data between the available backhaul options. The communication station includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data with user equipments, multiple backhaul interface modules, and a backhaul distribution module arranged for monitoring demand for backhaul bandwidth and distributing data over the backhauls based on the demand for backhaul bandwidth. Additional modules for user data and control plane processing may be included with the user/control distinction used in distributing data over the backhauls. The backhaul options may include a preferred backhaul and an alternate backhaul. Distributing data over the backhauls may be based, for example, on applications associated with the data, financial cost, delay, robustness, computational resources, and/or additional security associated with using a particular backhaul.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing system performance of capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems by selectively discarding packets are provided. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. One such control responses includes the optimal discard (also referred to herein as “intelligent discard”) of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. Some embodiments inspect a video stream to determine priorities for various elements of the video stream. The elements may be discarding using the priorities. In various embodiments, the elements include frames, slices, macroblocks, and data partitions.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a parameterized scheduling system that incorporates end-user application awareness and can be used with scheduling groups that contain data streams from heterogeneous applications. Individual data queues within a scheduling group can be created based on application class, specific application, individual data streams or some combination thereof. Application information and Application Factors (AF) are used to modify scheduler parameters such as weights and credits to differentiate between data streams assigned to a scheduling group. Dynamic AF settings may adjust relative importance of user applications to maximize user Quality of Experience (QoE) in response to recurring network patterns, one-time events, application characteristics, protocol characteristics, device characteristics, service level agreements, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing system performance of capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems by selectively discarding packets are provided. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. One such control responses includes the optimal discard (also referred to herein as “intelligent discard”) of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. Some embodiments inspect a video stream to determine priorities for various elements of the video stream. The elements may be discarding using the priorities. In various embodiments, the elements include frames, slices, macroblocks, and data partitions.

Abstract: A communication station, such as a base station or access point, has multiple backhaul options and distributes backhaul data between the available backhaul options. The communication station includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data with user equipments, multiple backhaul interface modules, and a backhaul distribution module arranged for monitoring demand for backhaul bandwidth and distributing data over the backhauls based on the demand for backhaul bandwidth. Additional modules for user data and control plane processing may be included with the user/control distinction used in distributing data over the backhauls. The backhaul options may include a preferred backhaul and an alternate backhaul. Distributing data over the backhauls may be based, for example, on applications associated with the data, financial cost, delay, robustness, computational resources, and/or additional security associated with using a particular backhaul.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing system performance of capacity and spectrum constrained, multiple-access communication systems by selectively discarding packets are provided. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. One such control responses includes the optimal discard (also referred to herein as “intelligent discard”) of network packets under capacity constrained conditions. The systems and methods prioritize packets and make discard decisions based upon the prioritization. Some embodiments provide an interactive response by selectively discarding packets to enhance perceived and actual system throughput, other embodiments provide a reactive response by selectively discarding data packets based on their relative impact to service quality to mitigate oversubscription, others provide a proactive response by discarding packets based on predicted oversubscription, and others provide a combination thereof.