Abstract: To allow for the characterization of a passive optical network, reflectometry data is closely analyzed to determine reflection events within the data, and to subsequently characterize the reflection events so the status, operating parameters and efficiency of the network can be monitored. The reflectometry data is analyzed using statistical techniques to identify and analyze reflection events, which will ultimately allow meaningful reports to be generated which characterize the operation of the passive optical network. The reports can thus be provided to operators and/or installers to determine the health of the network, and whether any revisions are necessary.

Abstract: An approach for controlling bandwidth allocations for a switching system with transmission constraints is disclosed. A scheduler within a switching system generates bandwidth metrics for a destination site. A traffic control processing logic receives the bandwidth metrics. The traffic control processing logic includes a utilization module that determines utilization associated with the destination site based upon the received bandwidth metrics, and an error calculation module that computes the difference between the determined utilization and a target utilization. A gain and filtering module, which is also a part of the traffic control processing logic, computes a correction value based upon the difference between the determined utilization and the target utilization, in which the correction value being associated with the destination site. Further, the traffic control processing logic includes an adder that outputs a control value based upon a reference control value and the correction value.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling data congestion affecting user terminals in a communications network, such as satellite terminals in a satellite communications network. The system and method employs a congestion detector adapted to determine that data congestion exists in the network which interferes with an ability of at least one user terminal to communicate in the network, and a congestion controller, adapted to control downlinking of data from the network controller to at least one select group of the user terminals and uplinking of data from at least one select group of the user terminals to the network controller, in response to the data congestion. The congestion controller and control downlinking and uplinking of data to and from the select group or groups of terminals based on criteria such as user terminals which are all located within a single uplink cell or user terminals which are located within all uplink cells in said network.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling interference affecting user terminals in a communications network, such as satellite terminals in a satellite communications network, by establishing and using virtual cells which are independent of the cells formed by the spot beams generated by the satellite. The system and method employs an interference detector which is adapted to detect interference in the network which interferes with an ability of at least one user terminal to communicate in the network, and an interference source identifier which is adapted to identify a source of the interference by deactivating at least one select group of the user terminals based on criteria independent of the respective cell or cells in which the user terminals reside, to locate those terminals whose ability to communicate in the network is being interfered with by the detected interference.

Abstract: A multimedia codec for a frame relay network. Multiple information media from different sight equipment is converted to a standard packet for transmission over said frame relay network. Incoming frames are processed on a priority basis and stored in an elastic buffer. Tests of pointers are kept for each media type identifying the location in the elastic buffer of the various packets for the different media. Applications running in the frame relay processor retrieve the stored media data and forward it to a digital signal processor connected to respective terminal equipment.