Abstract: A system and method for reducing network node congestion by filtering out comparatively low priority packets prior to execution of other node functions, such as routing and switching, in packet-based network transmissions. The volume of packets is reduced by intercepting the information packets prior to their input to the network node. A portion of the intercepted packets are filtered out based on parameters corresponding to a probable packet acceptability at the network node. The remaining portion of the intercepted packets are forwarded to the network node for processing by the network packet functions.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving a comparable quality of service for each of the receivers of a multicast transmission incorporating a priority-based quality of service is provided. Packet acceptance criteria established at each individual connection of a network node is overridden to provide a collective packet acceptance criteria for each packet of a multicast transmission targeted for the individual connections. The packet acceptance criteria is collected from each of the individual connections in the network node that are targeted for the multicast transmission. A multicast packet priority is calculated for each of the packets associated with the multicast transmission based on an aggregate analysis of the packet acceptance criteria of each of the individual connections. Each of the packets associated with the multicast transmission is collectively accepted or discarded based on the calculated multicast packet priority.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating a priority-based quality of service in CDMA communication systems that implement data packet transmission, in order to effectively allocate radio resources. Data packet transfers are selectively allocated over a wireless interface operating under a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) protocol. A nominal bit rate is established for each user desiring access to the CDMA interface. A relative packet priority is calculated for each of the data packets based on an actual bit rate at the source of the CDMA interface and the established nominal bit rate. An allowable packet priority is calculated for the CDMA interface based on a signal-to-noise ratio of the CDMA interface, and those of the data packets having a relative packet priority greater than or equal to the allowable packet priority of the CDMA interface are transmitted across the CDMA interface.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating first data packets having a first quality of service over a network system designed for communicating second data packets having a second quality of service. The network system includes a plurality of network nodes, where each of the network nodes includes a network switch. The first data packets are switched from each of a plurality of network switch input ports to a dedicated output port of the network switch. Network node congestion control is applied to the first data packets at the dedicated output port to selectively accept or discard the first data packets in accordance with their respective quality of service acceptance principles. Those of the first data packets that were accepted are multiplexed into one or more virtual paths having common output port destinations, and the virtual paths are input into a dedicated input port of the network switch.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the minimum and/or maximum values from a number of sample parameter values utilizes a table of last occurrence (TOLO-table), together with a sliding window or filter, to greatly enhance the speed and efficiency when determining the minimum and/or maximum value from a number of sample parameter values that fall within the sliding window. The TOLO-table typically includes a parameter column for storing entries for each one of a limited number of discrete parameter values, and also includes a time stamp column which provides entries for storing time of receipt data associated with each parameter value defined in the parameter column. Alternatively, an order number column may be employed for storing number order entries corresponding to the order in which the parameter values are received. Every time a parameter value is received, the time stamp or order number entry associated with the parameter value is updated to the current time or order number.

Abstract: A system and method for determining charges for use of network service connections. The network includes nodes which facilitate the transfer of information between source and destination locations. When a connection is established with a node, a billing cell is transmitted to the node over the connection which contains billing and connection information. Data cells are transmitted over the same connection subsequent to the billing cell. A terminate billing cell or conventional means may be used to drop the connection when the connection is no longer needed. The node computes the cost of using the connection based on the billing and connection information copied from the billing cell, and may also consider the connection time and the amount of data transferred over the connection.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the cell priority of cells transmitted from a cell source to network destinations across a network connection is provided. Each of the cells transmitted is registered in a measurement buffer upon being output from the cell source. The registered cells in the measurement buffer are discharged at a discharge rate corresponding to the current occupancy level of the measurement buffer. Cell priority values are generated by correlating the current buffer occupancy level to one of a plurality of predetermined buffer occupancy ranges to determine which occupancy range coincides with the current occupancy level. The generated cell priority values are loaded into cells transmitted from the cell source for use by the network connection.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating elements of information between an access node and a core node of a network. An access node includes a user/network interface, and a core network node includes a cell filtering unit. The UNI includes a measuring unit which measures the actual momentary bit rate of a connection between the UNI and the core node. The UNI also includes a priority level computing unit that computes the priority level of each cell using the measured bit rate and an established nominal bit rate (NBR). The value of NBR represents an expected, but not guaranteed, bit rate associated with a particular user or connection. The connection may be a real-time or a non-real-time connection. A scheduling unit of a node accepts or discards an arriving cell based on the occupancy of a real-time buffer and a non-real-time buffer provided at the node. Cells accepted by the scheduling unit are transferred to either the real-time buffer or the non-real-time buffer depending on cell type.

Abstract: A system and method for managing elements of information at a network node received from a user access node. An access node includes a user/network interface (UNI), and a core network node includes a cell filtering unit. The UNI includes a measuring unit, which measures the actual momentary bit rate of a connection between the UNI and the core node, and a priority level computing unit, which computes the priority level of each cell using the measured bit rate and an established nominal bit rate (NBR). NBR represents an expected, but not guaranteed, bit rate associated with a particular user or connection. The connection may be a real-time or a non-real-time connection. A scheduling unit of a node accepts or discards an arriving cell based on the occupancy of a real-time buffer and a non-real-time buffer provided at the node.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating the cell transfer rate over a network in response to priority level feedback. The feedback feature provides network connection availability information corresponding to a level of bandwidth available on the network connection to the cell source. The connection availability information is converted into a buffer occupancy level accessible at the cell source. The cell transfer rate is regulated at the network source unit in accordance with the buffer occupancy level, including decreasing the cell transfer rate when the buffer occupancy level rises above a high occupancy threshold of the buffer, and increasing the cell transfer rate when the buffer occupancy level drops below a low occupancy threshold of the buffer.

Abstract: A system and method for charging for usage of a network service connection. The network includes access nodes which provide user access to core nodes of the network. At an access node, the traffic of connections associated with the access node is measured. A nominal bit rate (NBR) associated with the access node is used together with the traffic measurement to compute a priority level at the access node. The value of NBR represents an expected, but not guaranteed, bit rate associated with a particular user or connection. The connection may be a real-time or a non-real-time connection. Information elements, transmitted from the access node to a core network node, are each assigned one of several priority levels, and cells are either accepted or discarded based on priority level and the status of one or more buffers at the core node. A charging schedule, based on a maximum allowed NBR established for the user, accounts for both a fixed or non-fixed monthly fee and a time dependent fee portion.

Abstract: A system and method for managing information transfers over a network through priority level feedback is provided. The feedback feature provides priority level feedback which informs a cell source of a typical priority level which is being accepted by the nodes of the connection rather than being discarded due to connection congestion. The worst-case network load information for a connection is determined by calculating a requisite cell priority necessary to allow cell acceptance at each of the intermediary network nodes on the connection. A record is maintained of the minimum requisite cell priority corresponding to the worst-case network load information for the connection. The worst-case network load information is provided to the cell source, where one of the priority levels is established for cells subsequently output from the cell source in response to the network load information.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the minimum and/or maximum values from a number of sample parameter values utilizes a table of last occurrence (TOLO-table), together with a sliding window or filter, to greatly enhance the speed and efficiency when determining the minimum and/or maximum value from a number of sample parameter values that fall within the sliding window. The TOLO-table typically includes a parameter column for storing entries for each one of a limited number of discrete parameter values, and also includes a time stamp column which provides entries for storing time of receipt data associated with each parameter value defined in the parameter column. Alternatively, an order number column may be employed for storing number order entries corresponding to the order in which the parameter values are received. Every time a parameter value is received, the time stamp or order number entry associated with the parameter value is updated to the current time or order number.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling cell transmission from a network source unit to network destination units across a network connection is provided. A timer is initiated upon transmission of a cell from the network source unit. A timer output value, provided at the timer output, is adjusted to reflect a time lapse measured from the time of initiation of the timer. The timer output value is compared to an expected cell time interval upon transmission of a subsequent cell, to establish a rate variation indicator. The rate variation indicator generally indicates whether the cell transmission rate is increasing or decreasing at a particular time. A cell priority value, derived from the rate variation indicator, is loaded into the subsequent cell for use by the network connection.