Abstract: A network management module includes a network interface module, memory, and a processing module. The network interface module is operable for coupling the network management module to a vehicle communication network. The processing module is operable to manage a global vehicle network communication protocol that includes instituting a content-based network packet processing protocol and managing the vehicle communication network to support the network packet processing protocol. The content-based network packet processing protocol includes determining content type of a packet, determining a processing requirement of the packet, and prioritizing execution of the processing requirement based on the content type.

Abstract: A universal network interface controller (UNIC) is provided for interfacing a host computer to a switch fabric, a packet network, or both. The UNIC includes encapsulation logic configured to encapsulate a CBP communication for transmission as switch fabric data on the switch fabric. Finally, the UNIC includes transmit logic configured to transmit the encapsulated CBP communication to the remote CBP device using the switch fabric.

Abstract: A vehicle network node module includes device buffers, a network buffer, a switch circuit, and a processing module. The device buffers temporarily store outgoing device packets from, and temporarily store incoming device packets for, vehicle devices in accordance with a locally managed prioritization scheme. The network buffer receives incoming network packets from, and outputs the outgoing network packets to, a vehicle network fabric in accordance with a global vehicle network protocol. The network buffer also temporarily stores the incoming network packets and the outgoing network packets in accordance with the locally managed prioritization scheme. The switching circuit selectively couples the network buffer to individual ones of the device buffers in accordance with the locally managed prioritization scheme.

Abstract: A network management module includes a network interface module, memory, and a processing module. The network interface module is operable for coupling the network management module to a vehicle communication network. The processing module is operable to manage a global vehicle network communication protocol that includes instituting a content-based network packet processing protocol and managing the vehicle communication network to support the network packet processing protocol. The content-based network packet processing protocol includes determining content type of a packet, determining a processing requirement of the packet, and prioritizing execution of the processing requirement based on the content type.

Abstract: An architecture for transporting radio samples, compressed samples or pre-processed radio samples in symbol form across a communication network, including a packet switched network such as Ethernet. Further, the conversion of the radio samples from streaming data to a packetized format can also be performed. Processing of radio samples can be performed in a centralized location, where the centralized location can service multiple radio heads that are located across a large geographical area. This centralized processing can be referred to as Cloud-RAN. The radio heads can also perform pre-processing to reduce effective data rates across the communication network. Further, one or more of the components of the communication network can perform timing synchronization utilizing, for example, Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) and/or IEEE 1588.

Abstract: A system for hierarchical management of devices may include memory and a processor. The processor may configure first devices of a first network with device operating policies to perform operations based at least on attributes of the first devices, where the operating policies prevent device interference. The processor may discover a second network of second devices managed by a second management entity and may negotiate with the second management entity to determine a primary management entity for the networks. The processor may receive device operating policies and attributes of the second devices when the second management entity is not the primary management entity. The processor may provide an adjusted device operating policy for a second device to the second management entity when the second device causes interference with a first device, the adjusted second device operating policy being based at least on attributes of the second device.

Abstract: A switching module can route packets between a network fabric and a local network, both of which form a closed network such as a vehicular network. The switching module provides local network management functions, and handles packet transfers between the local network and the network fabric. The switching module uses network information, which can include information about packet content type and network topology, to determine a packet's priority, and an appropriate switching protocol to use for processing and routing packets.

Abstract: A proxy device for a network of devices may include memory, a device status module, a data intercept module, a network interface, and an emulation module. The memory may be configured to store an emulation policy for emulating a device in a network, where the policy includes a status criterion that indicates a status of the device for which the policy applies. The device status module may be configured to monitor the status of the device. The data intercept module may be configured to intercept action requests directed to the device. The network interface may be configured to forward the intercepted action requests to the device when the status of the device fails to satisfy the status criterion. The emulation module may be configured to emulate the device, and respond to the action request without accessing the device, when the status of the device satisfies the status criterion.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for communicatively coupling WLAN and femtocell networks utilizing a FC-to-WLAN network bridge and controller are provided. In this regard, data communicated via one or more femtocells and one or more WLAN access points may be managed via a FC-to-WLAN network bridge and controller communicatively coupled between a femtocell controller and an access point controller. The femtocell controller may be operable to manage and/or control operation of the one or more femtocells, and the access point controller may be operable to manage and/or control operation of the one or more WLAN access points. The FC-to-WLAN network bridge and controller, the femtocell controller, and the access point controller may intemperate to manage data communicated between a first end-user device communicatively coupled to one of the femtocells and a second end-user device communicatively coupled to one of the access points.

Abstract: A wired and wireless vehicle communication network includes network node modules, switch modules, bridge-routing modules, and a network manager. The network manager is operable to determine a wired packet communication mode and/or a wireless packet communication mode. When the network is in the wireless packet communication mode, the network manager coordinates wireless communication of packets among the network node modules, the switch modules, and the bridge-routing modules based on individual content of the packets and wireless channel mapping. When the network is in the wired packet communication mode, the network manager coordinates wired communication of packets among the network node modules, the switch modules, and the bridge-routing modules based on the individual content of the packets and in accordance with a global vehicle network communication protocol.

Abstract: A universal network interface controller (UNIC) is provided for interfacing a host computer to a switch fabric, a packet network, or both. The UNIC includes encapsulation logic configured to encapsulate a CBP communication for transmission as switch fabric data on the switch fabric. Finally, the UNIC includes transmit logic configured to transmit the encapsulated CBP communication to the remote CBP device using the switch fabric.

Abstract: A vehicle control module includes a vehicle device and a vehicle network interface. The vehicle device is operable to perform a vehicle function. The vehicle network interface facilitates communication regarding the vehicle function between the vehicle device and a vehicle network fabric in accordance with a global vehicle network communication protocol.

Abstract: A network node in a vehicular network processes packets based on a prioritization scheme. The prioritization scheme uses packet type, priority, source, destination, or other information to determine a priority of the packets. Packets can be stored in one of multiple queues organized according to packet type, or other criteria. In some cases, only one queue is used. The packets are time stamped when put into a queue, and a time to live is calculated based on the timestamp. The time to live, as well as other factors such as packet type, packet priority, packet source, and packet destination can be used to adjust a packet's priority within the queue. Packets are transmitted from the queues in priority order. In some cases, the network node can identify a top-priority packet, and transmit the top priority packet without first storing the packet in the queue.

Abstract: A data bridge controls packet transfers between network fabrics forming a closed network, such as a vehicular network and a home network. The data bridge includes two or more sets of modules, each of which communicates with a different network fabric. When a packet is to be delivered between network fabrics, a first set of modules, which is used to communicate with a first network fabric, decides whether to accept the packet or discard it. If the packet is accepted, it is delivered to a second set of modules, which is used for communicating with a second network fabric. The second set of modules makes a second, independent decision about whether the packet will be sent to the second network fabric. Each set of modules can base its decision on packet content type, and may discard any packet not to be delivered to the other network.

Abstract: A system and method for exchanging channel, physical layer and data layer information and capabilities. The exchange of channel, physical layer and data layer capabilities enables optimal solutions for the provision of network services. In one embodiment, channel, physical layer and data layer capabilities are exchanged during an auto-negotiation process or LLDP messaging.

Abstract: A system for performing multi-level video processing within a vehicle includes a pre-processing module for determining an encoding mode and enabling one or more levels of encoding based on the encoding mode. The pre-processing module further receives a video stream from a camera attached to the vehicle via a vehicular communication network and encodes the video stream based on the encoding mode to produce a packet stream output. The system further includes a video decoder for receiving the packet stream output and decoding the packet stream output in accordance with the encoding mode to produce a decoded video output.

Abstract: A vehicle communication network includes a network fabric, a plurality of vehicle control modules, memory, one or more multimedia processing modules, and a network manager. The network manager is operable to coordinate communication of packets, via the network fabric, among the vehicle control modules, the memory, and the multimedia processing modules based on individual content of the packets and in accordance with a global vehicle network communication protocol. The network manager is further operable to facilitate network resource management to support the communication of packets via the network fabric in accordance with the global vehicle network communication protocol.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for enterprise level management in a multi-femtocell network are provided. In this regard, one or more endpoint devices may receive traffic management information from a hybrid network controller for enabling handoff of calls and/or communication sessions among femtocells and/or access points. The received traffic management information may comprise set-up instructions, handoff instructions, transmit power, neighbor list information, signal quality thresholds, frequency assignments, transmission time, code assignments and/or antenna pattern assignments. The endpoint device may control handoffs between a communication device external to the communication system and the femtocells, access points and/or end-point devices.

Abstract: A proxy device for a network of devices may include memory, a device status module, a data intercept module, a network interface, and an emulation module. The memory may be configured to store an emulation policy for emulating a device in a network, where the policy includes a status criterion that indicates a status of the device for which the policy applies. The device status module may be configured to monitor the status of the device. The data intercept module may be configured to intercept action requests directed to the device. The network interface may be configured to forward the intercepted action requests to the device when the status of the device fails to satisfy the status criterion. The emulation module may be configured to emulate the device, and respond to the action request without accessing the device, when the status of the device satisfies the status criterion.

Abstract: A vehicle network node module includes device buffers, a network buffer, a switch circuit, and a processing module. The device buffers temporarily store outgoing device packets from, and temporarily store incoming device packets for, vehicle devices in accordance with a locally managed prioritization scheme. The network buffer receives incoming network packets from, and outputs the outgoing network packets to, a vehicle network fabric in accordance with a global vehicle network protocol. The network buffer also temporarily stores the incoming network packets and the outgoing network packets in accordance with the locally managed prioritization scheme. The switching circuit selectively couples the network buffer to individual ones of the device buffers in accordance with the locally managed prioritization scheme.