Abstract: A mobile station provided in a satellite communication network comprised of multiple orbiting satellites, the mobile station including a communication time period estimator that estimates multiple communication time periods when the mobile station will be capable of communication with at least one satellite in the satellite communication network and that identifies one of the multiple communication time periods as a stable communication time period and another of the multiple communication time periods as an unstable communication time period (704), a video segment requester that determines a number of video segments to receive during the stable communication time period, the determined number of video segments being sufficient for video playback on the mobile station during the stable communication time period and the unstable communication time period (705), a transceiver that requests the determined number of video segments, and receives the determined number of video segments, during the stable communicat

Abstract: A mobile station provided in a satellite communication network comprised of multiple orbiting satellites, wherein the mobile station includes a transceiver that is capable of communication with each of the multiple orbiting satellites, the communication comprising an uplink communication channel and a downlink communication channel, a memory storing data and executable program instructions, and a processor coupled to the transceiver and to the memory, the processor configured to execute the executable program instructions to manage satellite communication handover by performing the steps of maintaining a current communication link between the mobile station and a first orbiting satellite of the multiple orbiting satellites if a signal quality of the current communication link is greater than a first signal quality threshold, identifying at least a second orbiting satellite and a third orbiting satellite of the multiple orbiting satellites as handover candidates based on a relative position of the mobile stati

Abstract: A system for the orchestration and scheduling of access to power sources includes a plurality of smart devices, each comprising a resource manager, and a resource orchestrator that communicates with each resource manager, generates a power resource schedule that includes at least one available power block associated with a power source, transmits the schedule to each resource manager of each smart device, receives at least one power request from a resource manager associated with at least one of the smart devices, the at least one power request including a requested available power block and an associated price, allocates the requested available power block to the resource manager that sent the at least one power request, and sends an allocation indication to the resource manager that sent the at least one power request, the allocation indication indicating that the requested available power block has been allocated to the resource manager.

Abstract: A resource orchestration system includes a plurality of rechargeable devices each comprising a rechargeable power storage unit, a resource manager, and a service unit, wherein the resource manager prepares a device report for the rechargeable device that is related to a service period, a resource orchestrator that is in communication with the plurality of rechargeable devices, that receives the device report, that generates a future service map that includes at least one customer item assignment for a future service period, and that sends the future service map to the resource manager of each of the plurality of rechargeable devices, wherein the resource manager of the at least one of the plurality of rechargeable devices directs the associated service unit to provide a service to an associated customer item during the future service period in accordance with the at least one customer item assignment provided in the future service map.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a network path determination module, a method of determining a network path, and a non-transitory storage medium which stores computer readable instruction to execute functions related to the method of determining a network path. In an aspect, the network path determination module includes not limited to: a first port; a non-transitory storage medium; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory storage medium, configured at least to: receive, through the first port, a requested generated by a detected data flow to create a forwarding entry in a network node for the data flow; retrieve a current network topology and a network status; select a network path based on the current network topology and the network status; generate a network control instruction based on the network path which has been selected; and execute the network control instruction to forward the data flow on the network path.

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 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: Systems and methods provide communications between applications in terminal nodes and applications agents in access nodes. The APP-agent cooperative communications can be used to improve quality of experience for users or the terminal nodes. An access node may, for example, have a parameterized scheduling system that incorporates information from the APP-agent cooperative communications in determining scheduling parameters. An application at a terminal node may, for example, modify requests for communication based on information about communication capabilities received from an access node. For APP-agent cooperative communications for multiple applications, an access node may include a master application agent to facilitate and coordinate communications to specific application agents that address APP-agent cooperative communications for specific applications. Similarly, a terminal node may use a master application and specific applications for APP-agent cooperative communications.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and a device for implementing hierarchical modulation of data streams. According to one of the exemplary embodiments, disclosure is directed to a method for hierarchical modulation of two data streams transmitted from a user device in a communication network. The method would include not limited to: sending, via a transceiver in the user device, a request for uplink bandwidth to an access node in the communication network; receiving, via the transceiver, an uplink bandwidth allocation provided in a downlink channel from the access node; multiplexing, at the user device, a base layer data stream and an enhanced layer data stream into a single multiplexed data stream; and transmitting, via the transceiver, the single multiplexed data stream to the access node in the uplink bandwidth allocation.

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: The disclosure provides a network path determination module, a method of determining a network path, and a non-transitory storage medium which stores computer readable instruction to execute functions related to the method of determining a network path. In an aspect, the network path determination module includes not limited to: a first port; a non-transitory storage medium; and a processor coupled to the non-transitory storage medium, configured at least to: receive, through the first port, a requested generated by a detected data flow to create a forwarding entry in a network node for the data flow; retrieve a current network topology and a network status; select a network path based on the current network topology and the network status; generate a network control instruction based on the network path which has been selected; and execute the network control instruction to forward the data flow on the network path.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system and method for secure communications. The method can enable secure machine-to-machine communications within discrete security groups having two or more communication nodes using a zero knowledge authentication process and related cryptography. A first node in the security group can encrypt payload data using a synchronized data set (SDS) known to the member nodes of the security group. The SDS can have a seed. A second node in the security group can decrypt the payload data using the seed. The seed can be provisioned within each node of the security group. The seed can also be provided or changed by a node or another entity to modify the security group membership. Member nodes of the security group can be added or removed as needed. Nodes not having the SDS cannot communicate securely with member nodes.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system and method for secure communications. The method can enable secure machine-to-machine communications within discrete security groups having two or more communication nodes using a zero knowledge authentication process and related cryptography. A first node in the security group can encrypt payload data using a synchronized data set known to the member nodes of the security group and a parameter data set. A second node in the security group can decrypt the payload data using the seed and the parameter data set. The seed can be provisioned within each node of the security group. The seed can also be provided or changed by a node or another entity to modify the security group membership. Member nodes of the security group can be added or removed as needed. Nodes not having the SDS cannot communicate securely with security group member nodes.

Abstract: A method for predicting available bandwidth for a candidate flow on a link in a distributed network includes obtaining information about a plurality of flows carried by the link, the information including a current bandwidth consumption for each of the flows carried by the link; identifying whether each of the flows carried by the link has a local constraint or a remote constraint; and computing the available bandwidth for the candidate flow based at least in part on the information about the flows carried by the link and the identification of whether each of the flows carried by the link has a local constraint or a remote constraint. The predicted available bandwidth can be used to predict bandwidth consumption for active flows. The predicted available bandwidths can be used in selecting file block placement options.

Abstract: Pipelines for distributing file block in distributed file system network can be determined using a crawler algorithm. The crawler algorithm can iteratively identify links in a pipeline from for a starting node to one or more data storage nodes. In each iteration the pipeline can be extended based on the costs associated with the links on the pipeline with the resulting cost propagated as the pipeline is extended. The link costs indicate congestion on the links. Costs may also be back propagate from the data storage nodes.

Abstract: Organically Derived Synchronized Processes provide encryption parameter management in a certificate-less system. A first node generates a parameter data set containing multiple values; uses a seed value stored at the first node to select values from a random parameter data set to form a parameter subset; generates encryption parameters using the subset; encrypts user data using the encryption parameters; generates a signature based at least on the parameter data set; and transmits a start frame including the parameter data set, the encrypted user data, and the signature. A second node receives the start frame; uses a seed value stored at the second node to select values from the received parameter data set to form a parameter subset; generates decryption parameters using the subset; decrypts the user data using the decryption parameters; and verifies the received signature. The encryption and decryption parameters are then applied to further payload data.

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.

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: Systems and methods provide communications between applications in terminal nodes and applications agents in access nodes. The APP-agent cooperative communications can be used to improve quality of experience for users or the terminal nodes. An access node may, for example, have parameterized scheduling system that incorporates information from the APP-agent cooperative communications in determining scheduling parameters. An application at a terminal node may, for example, modify requests for communication based on information about communication capabilities received from an access node. For APP-agent cooperative communications for multiple applications, an access node may include a master application agent to facilitate and coordinate communications to specific application agents that address APP-agent cooperative communications for specific applications. Similarly, a terminal node may use a master application and specifications for APP-agent cooperative communications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) communications can improve channel capacity between one or more access nodes and one or more terminal nodes. The communications may utilize, for example, multi-user multiple-input multiple-output techniques with cooperation between access nodes. A network node may determine an ordering combination and associated pre-weighting values, provide the pre-weighting values to one or more terminal nodes, receive signals transmitted from the terminal nodes using the pre-weighting values; and process the received signals using the ordering combination and the pre-weighting values. Two constraints can be jointly used: a minimum performance constraint and a maximum transmit power constraint. Example systems search all possible ordering combinations to find a best combination, for example, the ordering combination that maximizes communication rates.