Abstract: A system and method for classifying packets according to packet header field values. Each of a set of subkey tables is searched for a respective packet header field value; each such search results in a value for a subkey. The subkeys are combined to form a decision key. A decision table is then searched for the decision key. The search of the decision table results in an action code and a reason code, one or both of which may be used to determine how to further process the packet.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a resource from among a plurality of resources. A total range of numbers is divided into a plurality of sub-ranges, each associated with a respective one of the resources. An indexing number, e.g., a random number, is generated and, when it falls within the total range of numbers, the resource associated with the sub-range into which the indexing number falls is selected. When the indexing number falls outside of the total range, a resource associated with the difference between the indexing number and the greatest number in the total range is selected.

Abstract: A system and method for routing. A packet includes a stack of one or more headers, such as a stack of Multiprotocol Label Switching headers, that determines the path that the packet will take, through a sequence of switches, from its source to its destination. Each header in the stack contains an output port identifier that identifies an output port of a corresponding switch in the path. Each switch, upon receiving the packet, removes the first header to form a shortened packet, and routes the shortened packet to the output port identified by the output port identifier.

Abstract: A system and method for classifying packets according to packet header field values. Each of a set of subkey tables is searched for a respective packet header field value; each such search results in a value for a subkey. The subkeys are combined to form a decision key. A decision table is then searched for the decision key. The search of the decision table results in an action code and a reason code, one or both of which may be used to determine how to further process the packet.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a resource from among a plurality of resources. A total range of numbers is divided into a plurality of sub-ranges, each associated with a respective one of the resources. An indexing number, e.g., a random number, is generated and, when it falls within the total range of numbers, the resource associated with the sub-range into which the indexing number falls is selected. When the indexing number falls outside of the total range, a resource associated with the difference between the indexing number and the greatest number in the total range is selected.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for executing multiple processes that share common sub-operations. A processor cluster is configured to execute sub-operations of the multiple processes. The processor cluster includes a database configured to store records containing parameters of sub-operations associated with a first process and sub-operations associated with a second process, the records storing dependencies among sub-operations. A processor cluster includes plurality of processors. A ready sub-operation repository is configured to identify sub-operations that are ready to be performed.

Abstract: A system and method for routing. A packet includes a stack of one or more headers, such as a stack of Multiprotocol Label Switching headers, that determines the path that the packet will take, through a sequence of switches, from its source to its destination. Each header in the stack contains an output port identifier that identifies an output port of a corresponding switch in the path. Each switch, upon receiving the packet, removes the first header to form a shortened packet, and routes the shortened packet to the output port identified by the output port identifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method that includes receiving, by a traffic arbiter, a predetermined time-slot allocation of one or more uplink time slots and/or one or more downlink time slots for a first wireless media access control (MAC) configured to operate within a first wireless transmission system. The method also includes determining, by the traffic arbiter, whether to grant a second wireless MAC, configured to operate within a second wireless transmission system, permission to transmit or receive based at least in part on the predetermined time-slot allocation.

Abstract: Enhancements are provided to lower power consumption in a wireless communication device. A traffic indicator message is designated to be positioned at or near a first burst to be transmitted to a subscriber station. Further, a clock signal provided to a decoder in the subscriber station has a variable frequency, the frequency being chosen based on the nature of the data to be decoded. Data needing immediate decoding is processed with a high speed clock. Other data are processed with a lower speed clock to reduce power consumption. Also, control information that is demodulated when the subscriber station is in sleep mode is batch processed when the subscriber station becomes active again.

Abstract: An arbiter configured to selectively grant access to a shared bus to a plurality of requestors. The arbiter includes a plurality of request shapers each configured to receive a request signal corresponding to a request, from a respective one of the plurality of requestors, to access the shared bus, a base priority signal indicating a base priority level of the respective one of the plurality of requestors, and a delta period signal indicating a counter value threshold. The counter value threshold corresponds to a threshold amount of time, and the counter value threshold is different for each of the plurality of requestors. Each of the plurality of request shapes is configured to separately output the request signal and a priority signal indicating a priority level of the request based on the base priority level, the counter value threshold, and a counter value.

Abstract: In a media access control (MAC) processor, a programmable controller is configured to execute machine readable instructions for implementing MAC functions corresponding to data received by a communication device. A tightly coupled memory is associated with the programmable controller. A system memory is coupled to the programmable controller via a system bus, and a hardware processor is coupled to the system bus and the tightly coupled memory. The hardware processor is configured to implement MAC functions on data received in a communication frame, store, in the tightly coupled memory, processed data corresponding to data in the communication frame that indicates a structure of downlink data in the communication frame, and store, in the system memory, processed data corresponding to other data in the communication frame.

Abstract: Enhancements are provided to lower power consumption in a wireless communication device. A traffic indicator message is designated to be positioned at or near a first burst to be transmitted to a subscriber station. Further, a clock signal provided to a decoder in the subscriber station has a variable frequency, the frequency being chosen based on the nature of the data to be decoded. Data needing immediate decoding is processed with a high speed clock. Other data are processed with a lower speed clock to reduce power consumption. Also, control information that is demodulated when the subscriber station is in sleep mode is batch processed when the subscriber station becomes active again.

Abstract: Power consumption is managed in a subscriber station of a communication system. The subscriber station is engaged in a sleep mode, including reducing a frequency of a system clock of the subscriber station. When the subscriber station receives, while in the sleep mode, a message having downlink transmission parameters while, the frequency of the system clock of the subscriber station is increased to process the message. After processing the message, the frequency of the system clock is reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method that includes receiving, by a traffic arbiter, a predetermined time-slot allocation of one or more uplink time slots and/or one or more downlink time slots for a first wireless media access control (MAC) configured to operate within a first wireless transmission system. The method also includes determining, by the traffic arbiter, whether to grant a second wireless MAC, configured to operate within a second wireless transmission system, permission to transmit or receive based at least in part on the predetermined time-slot allocation.

Abstract: A communication system including a resource and an arbiter. The resource is shared among a plurality of requestors such that, at any given time, only one of the plurality of requestors has access to the resource. The arbiter is configured to receive a request from each of the plurality of requestors to access the resource, in which each request has a priority level associated with the request. The arbiter is further configured to age each request at a different rate relative to that associated with another request, and grant each requestor access to the resource based on i) the priority level and/or ii) the age of the request corresponding to the requestor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method that includes receiving, by a traffic arbiter, a predetermined time-slot allocation of one or more uplink time slots and/or one or more downlink time slots for a first wireless media access control (MAC) configured to operate within a first wireless transmission system. The method also includes determining, by the traffic arbiter, whether to grant a second wireless MAC, configured to operate within a second wireless transmission system, permission to transmit or receive based at least in part on the predetermined time-slot allocation.

Abstract: A media access control (MAC) processor includes a programmable controller and a memory coupled to the programmable controller to store machine readable instructions for implementing MAC functions corresponding to data received by a communication device. A hardware processor is coupled to the programmable controller. The hardware processor includes a processing engine configured to implement MAC functions on the data received by the communication device. The hardware processor additionally includes a context memory coupled to the processing engine to store state information of the processing engine corresponding to one or more contexts, and context switch logic coupled to the processing to determine when the processing engine should switch contexts.

Abstract: An arbiter in a communication system including a plurality of request shapers in communication with a plurality of requestors. Each request shaper is configured to receive a request for access to a resource of the communication system, initially assign a priority level to the request upon receipt of the request, increase an age of the request, after increasing the age of the request, compare the age of the request to a delta period value associated with the respective requestor, and repeatedly increase the priority level of the request based on the comparison. Each of the plurality of requestors has a corresponding delta period value that is different from that of other ones of the plurality of requestors. An arbiter core is configured to grant one of the plurality of requestors access to the resource based on the priority level of each request and the age of each request.

Abstract: An arbitration circuit for granting access to a shared resource among requestors comprises N request shapers, where N is an integer greater than one. An input unit receives a request from a requestor. An age unit assigns an age to the request and increases the age of the request when the requestor is not granted access to the shared resource. A priority unit assigns a priority level to each of the requests and selectively increases the priority level of the request based on the age of the respective one of the requests and a delta period of the request. An arbiter core receives the requests from the N request shapers and selectively grants access to the shared resource to each of the requestors corresponding to the requests based on the priority level and age of the requests. The delta period of one of the N request shapers is different than the delta period of another of the N request shapers.

Abstract: Various approaches grant access to a shared resource. An arbitration circuit includes request shapers that each receive a request from one of the requestors and assign a respective predetermined priority level and age to each of the requests. An arbiter core receives the requests and grants access to the shared resource to each of the requestors corresponding to the requests. The arbiter core includes a mask circuit that includes a plurality of mask registers each corresponding to a respective one of the priority levels. The age of a respective one of the requests increases when the corresponding one of the requestors is not granted access to the shared resource. The priority level of a respective one of the requests increases according to the age of the respective one of the requests.