Abstract: Wireless communication link bandwidth utilization monitoring apparatus and methods are disclosed. Utilization of bandwidth on a wireless communication link is monitored to generate bandwidth utilization information. In order to provide a record of the distribution of bandwidth utilization, durations of bandwidth utilization above respective different thresholds might be determined. Such distributions could be useful for such purposes as network analysis and/or customer billing based on actual wireless bandwidth usage. Bandwidth utilization information may be collected from multiple wireless link nodes, illustratively the wireless link nodes at both ends of monitored wireless communication links, to allow total bandwidth utilization for bi-directional communications over the monitored links to be determined.

Abstract: Multiple-node communication link management apparatus and methods are disclosed. Management information is exchanged between a management system and a local communication node over a connection with the local communication node. The management information includes management information associated with the local communication node and management information associated with a peer communication node that communicates with the local communication node through a communication link. Views of the communication link, in its context between the local communication node and the peer communication node, as well as partner and peer partner communication nodes in the case of a related link pair, for example, are provided at the management system. Through the management system and the local communication node, any or all of the communication nodes including the local, peer, partner, and peer partner communication nodes can be managed through the single connection with the communication node.

Abstract: Adaptive modulation and priority-based flow control in wireless communications are disclosed. Ingress communication traffic is modulated for transmission over a wireless communication link. A modulation rate of modulation to be applied to the ingress communication traffic is controlled by adaptive modulation. A rate at which the ingress communication traffic is received is controlled through Priority-based Flow Control (PFC), but the PFC is based on the adaptive modulation. Adaptive modulation and PFC are thus linked together. PFC messaging could be sent when a change in modulation rate due to the adaptive modulation would not meet the rate at which the ingress communication traffic is received. If a change in modulation rate due to the adaptive modulation would still meet the rate at which the ingress communication traffic is received, then PFC messaging might not be sent.

Abstract: Fixed-length communication traffic blocks, for transmission over a wireless communication link, are generated from communication traffic that is received at a primary communication apparatus. The generated blocks are distributed between a first wireless communication link associated with the primary apparatus and a second wireless communication link associated with a secondary apparatus, for transmission of the communication traffic blocks over the first and second wireless communication links. The distribution of the communication traffic blocks is through an inter-apparatus communication link between the primary and secondary apparatus. Communication traffic blocks that are received over the second wireless communication link are transferred to the primary apparatus through the inter-apparatus communication ink and combined, with blocks that are received on the first wireless communication link, into a communication traffic stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing wireless communication paths are provided. At wireless communication equipment which is connected to a communication device, a wireless communication path to a remote communication device is monitored. Based on results of the monitoring, a determination is made as to whether the wireless communication path should be shut down. If it is determined that the wireless communication path should be shut down, a respective notification is provided to each of the communication devices. A notification may also be provided from wireless communication equipment to a communication device to which it is operatively coupled responsive to receiving a notification that remote wireless communication equipment has determined that the wireless communication path should be shut down. In some embodiments, these notifications are used to present various modes of failure in a wireless communication path to the path endpoints as a physical layer failure.

Abstract: Fixed-length communication traffic blocks, for transmission over a wireless communication link, are generated from communication traffic that is received at a primary communication apparatus. The generated blocks are distributed between a first wireless communication link associated with the primary apparatus and a second wireless communication link associated with a secondary apparatus, for transmission of the communication traffic blocks over the first and second wireless communication links. The distribution of the communication traffic blocks is through an inter-apparatus communication link between the primary and secondary apparatus. Communication traffic blocks that are received over the second wireless communication link are transferred to the primary apparatus through the inter-apparatus communication ink and combined, with blocks that are received on the first wireless communication link, into a communication traffic stream.

Abstract: Expedited communication traffic handling apparatus and methods are disclosed. A traffic block that includes an amount of communication traffic that has been received on a receive communication link at a receive rate is to be transmitted on an output communication link at an output rate. A determination is made as to whether transmission of the traffic block at the output rate would be completed before a remaining amount of communication traffic to be included in the traffic block is received at the receive rate. Transmission of the traffic block is started, before all of the traffic that is to be included in the block is received, if transmission of the traffic block at the output rate would not be completed before the remaining amount of communication traffic is received. Early transmission may also or instead be enabled only for certain types of traffic. A pre-emptive scheduling scheme is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling effective communication traffic rates are disclosed. Communication signals that include communication traffic are generated for transfer on a wireless communication link based on fixed signalling characteristics. An effective communication traffic rate of the wireless communication link is controlled by controlling a rate at which communication traffic is provided to a communication module, illustratively a wireless transceiver, that generates the communication signals. Techniques according to embodiments of the invention thereby enable rate control for wireless communication links without changing wireless signalling characteristics or subjecting links to downtime during link reconfiguration. Collaborative rate control, in which rate control information is exchanged between rate control systems, is also contemplated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing wireless communication paths are provided. At wireless communication equipment which is connected to a communication device, a wireless communication path to a remote communication device is monitored. Based on results of the monitoring, a determination is made as to whether the wireless communication path should be shut down. If it is determined that the wireless communication path should be shut down, a respective notification is provided to each of the communication devices. A notification may also be provided from wireless communication equipment to a communication device to which it is operatively coupled responsive to receiving a notification that remote wireless communication equipment has determined that the wireless communication path should be shut down. In some embodiments, these notifications are used to present various modes of failure in a wireless communication path to the path endpoints as a physical layer failure.

Abstract: Expedited communication traffic handling apparatus and methods are disclosed. A traffic block that includes an amount of communication traffic that has been received on a receive communication link at a receive rate is to be transmitted on an output communication link at an output rate. A determination is made as to whether transmission of the traffic block at the output rate would be completed before a remaining amount of communication traffic to be included in the traffic block is received at the receive rate. Transmission of the traffic block is started, before all of the traffic that is to be included in the block is received, if transmission of the traffic block at the output rate would not be completed before the remaining amount of communication traffic is received. Early transmission may also or instead be enabled only for certain types of traffic. A pre-emptive scheduling scheme is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling effective communication traffic rates are disclosed. Communication signals that include communication traffic are generated for transfer on a wireless communication link based on fixed signalling characteristics. An effective communication traffic rate of the wireless communication link is controlled by controlling a rate at which communication traffic is provided to a communication module, illustratively a wireless transceiver, that generates the communication signals. Techniques according to embodiments of the invention thereby enable rate control for wireless communication links without changing wireless signalling characteristics or subjecting links to downtime during link reconfiguration. Collaborative rate control, in which rate control information is exchanged between rate control systems, is also contemplated.