Abstract: A scheduler and a method for scheduling transmissions to a plurality of users in a communication network assigns a higher target minimum throughput for receiving a next transmission to a user based on a quality of service (QoS) class of the user. A token count that tracks the user's achieved performance relative to a target minimum throughput Is determined for each user in given timeslot, and a weight is determined for each user based on one or more of the token count and a current rate requested by the user. A user having the highest weight as determined by a weight function is scheduled to be served the next transmission. User priority for scheduling may be downgraded if an average data rate requested by the user is less than the target minimum throughput.

Abstract: A method for scheduling transmissions to a plurality of users in a communication network determines a satisfaction metric and a dissatisfaction metric for each user in a given timeslot that is to be used for a next scheduled transmission to one of the users. Each user is assigned a weight based on a value of at least one of the user's satisfaction metric, the user's dissatisfaction metric and a rate requested by the user. The use having the highest weight is selected to be served the next scheduled transmission in the given timeslot.

Abstract: A variable length sequence number is used to identify data units in a communication channel. The sequence number associated with the most recent data that has been received successfully and the sequence number expected with the next new data message to be received are examined to determine the minimum size sequence number necessary to unambiguously identify to the transmitter incorrectly received data that must be retransmitted in a later message. The receiver provides the transmitter with the sequence number associated with the last successfully received byte of data and the sequence number associated with the next expected byte of data. The receiver communicates this information to the transmitter using a NAK control message.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of overhead information being added to a data packet by multiplexing IP (Internet Protocol) data packets within a MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching) frame, thereby reducing the amount of overhead information associated with subsequent protocol layers being added to the data packet. In one embodiment, the method utilizes a target size to limit the number of IP data packets which may be multiplexed within a MPLS frame and a timer to limit the delay in transmission of IP data packets.