Abstract: Distributed precomputation techniques for determining primary and/or restoration paths in an optical or electrical network. The invention provides a number of partially and fully asynchronous distributed precomputation algorithms which may be implemented, for example, by the nodes of an all-optical network, in which network links are constrained in terms of optical signal wavelength and failure isolation. A given distributed precomputation algorithm may include a first phase in which paths are allocated for capacity demands to the extent possible without resolving contentions, and a second phase in which contentions between demands for the same capacity are resolved.

Abstract: Distributed precomputation techniques for determining primary and/or restoration paths in an optical or electrical network. The invention provides a number of partially and fully asynchronous distributed precomputation algorithms which may be implemented, for example, by the nodes of an all-optical network, in which network links are constrained in terms of optical signal wavelength and failure isolation. A given distributed precomputation algorithm may include a first phase in which paths are allocated for capacity demands to the extent possible without resolving contentions, and a second phase in which contentions between demands for the same capacity are resolved.

Abstract: Various methodologies and related apparatus associated with mobility management issues within a packet-based multiaccess mobile communications system, which includes a plurality of mobile user stations and a plurality of network nodes, are provided. Location management techniques include tracking and/or locating mobile stations within the system. The invention makes use of home and visiting location registers in which information such as mobile station addresses and/or host names associated with mobile stations are stored. Mobile access methodologies include a complete mobile access method and a direct mobile access method. The former allows a mobile station to preferably include a unique address in the packets being transmitted, while the latter allows the station to merely use the host name of the destination station. The invention also includes various in-call mobility management techniques, including handoffs, which make use of the concept of an anchor.

Abstract: Distributed precomputation techniques for determining primary and/or restoration paths in an optical or electrical network. The invention provides a number of partially and fully asynchronous distributed precomputation algorithms which may be implemented, for example, by the nodes of an all-optical network, in which network links are constrained in terms of optical signal wavelength and failure isolation. A given distributed precomputation algorithm may include a first phase in which paths are allocated for capacity demands to the extent possible without resolving contentions, and a second phase in which contentions between demands for the same capacity are resolved.

Abstract: Precomputation techniques for determining primary and/or restoration paths in an optical or electrical network. A hybrid centralized/distributed approach is provided in which certain information used in distributed precomputation is downloaded from a central controller of the network. The downloaded information is used as an input to a distributed precomputation algorithm implemented by the network nodes in order to provide improved performance. The central controller makes use of its knowledge of global network topology in computing the information to be downloaded to the nodes. The downloaded information generally represents network information which changes with less frequency than other network information processed by the nodes as part of the distributed precomputation algorithm.

Abstract: Distributed precomputation techniques for determining primary and/or restoration paths in an optical network. The invention provides a number of partially and fully asynchronous distributed precomputation algorithms which may be implemented, for example, by the nodes of an all-optical network, in which network links are constrained in terms of optical signal wavelength and failure isolation. A given distributed precomputation algorithm may include a first phase in which paths are allocated for capacity demands to the extent possible without resolving contentions, and a second phase in which contentions between demands for the same capacity are resolved.

Abstract: The specification relates to a broadband multiple access protocol for bi-directional hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) networks. The protocol supports downstream broadcast transmission from headend to cable modem, and also provides for allocation of bandwidth for cable modems to transmit back to the headend. Although the present invention is described in relation to an HFC network, it is also equally applicable to a wireless communications environment. The protocol supports different access modes such as synchronous transfer mode, asynchronous transfer mode, and variable length data. The protocol adapts to changing demands for a mix of circuit and packet mode applications and allocates upstream and downstream bandwidth in response to the a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources.

Abstract: The specification relates to a broadband multiple access protocol for bi-directional hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) networks. The protocol supports downstream broadcast transmission from headend to cable modem, and also provides for allocation of bandwidth for cable modems to transmit back to the headend. Although the present invention is described in relation to an HFC network, it is also equally applicable to a cellular wireless communications environment. The protocol supports different access modes such as STM, ATM, and VL; within each subframe of a subframe/frame/masterframe structure. The protocol adapts to changing demands for a mix of circuit and packet mode applications and allocates upstream and downstream bandwidth in response to the a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources.

Abstract: Distributed precomputation techniques for determining primary and/or restoration paths in an optical or electrical network. The invention provides a number of partially and fully asynchronous distributed precomputation algorithms which may be implemented, for example, by the nodes of an all-optical network, in which network links are constrained in terms of optical signal wavelength and failure isolation. A given distributed precomputation algorithm may include a first phase in which paths are allocated for capacity demands to the extent possible without resolving contentions, and a second phase in which contentions between demands for the same capacity are resolved.

Abstract: The call processing capacity of the of a telecommunications network by forming the communication switches forming the network into respective groups of communication switches. The communication switches forming a respective group of switches are fully interconnected to one another and then each of the communications switches forming a respective group is connected at least one other group of telecommunication switches as a way of interconnecting the groups with one another.

Abstract: The efficiency of a telecommunications network is enhanced by associating each of the communication switches forming the network with an external connection control processor and forming the switches into respective groups of communication switches. The communication switches forming a respective group of switches are fully interconnected to one another and then each of the communications switches forming a respective one of the groups is connected at least one other group of telecommunication switches as a way of interconnecting the groups with one another.

Abstract: A digital cellular/personal communications service (PCS) application incorporates a logical link connection (LLC) server. In this approach, there are two ATM connections in the path of an AAL-2 connection: one between a base station and the LLC Server and the other between the LLC Server and a vocoder group. All LLCs from, or to, a given base station use a common ATM connection irrespective of the vocoder used at the other end. Similarly, all LLCs from, or to, a given vocoder group use a common ATM connection irrespective of the destination base station at the other end. At the LLC Server, LLC packets from many base stations destined for the same vocoder group are extracted and bundled into the ATM connection between the LLC Server and the destination vocoder group. Similar treatment is given to the packets originating at vocoders and destined for base stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and/or receiving variable-length packets (e.g., CDMA packets, CDPD packets) that are associated with different channels and which are multiplexed via a single virtual circuit (e.g., an ATM virtual circuit).

Abstract: The specification relates to a system supporting the transmission of multiple protocols over a single bytestream. The multiple protocol types supported include asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) protocol data units (PDUs), synchronous transfer mode (STM) PDUs, and variable length (VL) PDUs, as well as subtypes included within the aforementioned multiple protocol types. PDUs from higher layers are processed at three intermediate protocol layers where application layer PDUs are prepared, segmented, and repacked as asynchronous block multiplexing (ABM) PDUs. ABM PDUs include a type identification field. Cyclical redundancy checks and other error detection/correction techniques are optionally supported. ABM PDUs are multiplexed within a multiple protocol bytestream. Multiple protocol bytestream support is provided between a transmitter and receiver over a plurality of mediums, including but not limited to coaxial cable, wireless, optical fiber, hybrid fiber/coax, satellite, and twisted pair.

Abstract: Four stages of digital cellular architecture are presented which reuse much of the existing voice infrastructure while allowing graceful introduction of data and integrated voice/data services over industry standard, low cost platforms. First, a separate ATM-based infrastructure is introduced that supports data services. A new data call control is introduced on industry standard hardware platforms using object oriented and modular programming. Second, ATM is introduced at radio ports and call control functions are migrated to the new ATM-based call control platforms. Third, vocoders are introduced at the DCS. Fourth, the cellular functions of the legacy cellular switch are phased out and replaced by the ATM-based target architecture.