Abstract: A method, apparatus, and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for balancing loads among a plurality of virtual machines (VMs) from a central dispatcher, wherein the dispatcher receives data packets and maps the data packets to VMs selected from the plurality of VMs, using a weighted hash function, having an associated weighting for each VM and forwarding each packet to a VM accordingly, wherein a load balancer decrements a weighting for a VM, responsive to an indication of the load on the VM exceeding a first load threshold. Weightings can correspond to a number of bins associated with each VM. Weightings are adjusted in response to receiving invite and disinvite messages from the VMs, representing their respective loads.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for balancing loads among a plurality of virtual machines (VMs) from a central dispatcher, wherein the dispatcher receives data packets and maps the data packets to VMs selected from the plurality of VMs, using a weighted hash function, having an associated weighting for each VM and forwarding each packet to a VM accordingly, wherein a load balancer decrements a weighting for a VM, responsive to an indication of the load on the VM exceeding a first load threshold. Weightings can correspond to a number of bins associated with each VM. Weightings are adjusted in response to receiving invite and disinvite messages from the VMs, representing their respective loads.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for adaptively allocating available bandwidth for network users. The method is particularly beneficial in improving a viewing experience for mobile devices accessing the network, while also maximizing the number of supported users within the network. An adaptively adjusted control parameter is used in conjunction with a utility function to assign a provisional rate for users entering the network. Based on the assigned provisional rate, the method then admits prospective new network users, if enough free capacity exists to service the new user at the provisional rate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for adaptively allocating available bandwidth for network users. The method is particularly beneficial in improving a viewing experience for mobile devices accessing the network, while also maximizing the number of supported users within the network. An adaptively adjusted control parameter is used in conjunction with a utility function to assign a provisional rate for users entering the network. Based on the assigned provisional rate, the method then admits prospective new network users, if enough free capacity exists to service the new user at the provisional rate.

Abstract: A cache management system and method and a content distribution system. In one embodiment, the cache management system includes: (1) a content request receiver configured to receive content requests, (2) a popularity lifetime prediction modeler coupled to the content request receiver and configured to generate popularity lifetime prediction models for content that can be cached based on at least some of the content requests, (3) a database coupled to the popularity lifetime prediction modeler and configured to contain the popularity lifetime prediction models and (4) a popularity lifetime prediction model matcher coupled to the content request receiver and the database and configured to match at least one content request to the popularity lifetime prediction models and control a cache based thereon.

Abstract: A handover method is provided, in which a measure of signal strength is obtained between a user terminal and each of one or more candidate cells, relative to signal strength between the user terminal and a source cell. For candidate cells, a threshold is set that depends on a measure of loading of the source cell and a measure of loading of the candidate cell. For the target cell, a particular candidate cell is identified for which the measure of signal strength exceeds the threshold set for that particular cell. The user terminal is connected to the target cell. In specific embodiments, the threshold for each candidate cell depends on a load differential between the source cell and the candidate cell.

Abstract: At least one base station of a wireless network adjusts its access area so as to drive at least one measure of utilization of a resource or resources of that cell toward, but not to exceed, a specified maximum level. The adjustment is dynamic in that it responds in real time to traffic fluctuations. The adjustment is autonomous in that it is not directed from outside the cell. The access area of the cell is determined by the received strength, at the respective users, of a beacon channel transmitted from the base station. In specific implementations, the access area may be adjusted by adjusting the effective signal transmit strength of the beacon signal, or by adjusting the tilt of the antenna that transmits to the cell.

Abstract: A handover method is provided, in which a measure of signal strength is obtained between a user terminal and each of one or more candidate cells, relative to signal strength between the user terminal and a source cell. For candidate cells, a threshold is set that depends on a measure of loading of the source cell and a measure of loading of the candidate cell. For the target cell, a particular candidate cell is identified for which the measure of signal strength exceeds the threshold set for that particular cell. The user terminal is connected to the target cell. In specific embodiments, the threshold for each candidate cell depends on a load differential between the source cell and the candidate cell.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for planning of wireless networks are described. A system according to an aspect of the present invention receives inputs describing traffic statistics for a wireless network and computes network specifications. The system uses the traffic statistics and network specifications as inputs to a computationally tractable model used to compute parameters for the user level performance of the wireless network. The model may suitably be a processor sharing queuing model. The model employed by the planning system allows analytical solution for the desired user level parameters, given the characteristics and conditions entered as inputs and the intended network layout characteristics. Once a set of user level performance parameters has been computed, the values of the parameters are examined to determine if they meet predetermined requirements, in an iterative process continuing until a set of specifications has been developed that produces parameters meeting the requirements.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of wireless base stations that are located in a contiguous spatial coverage region of a cellular communication system. Each wireless base station that is configured to generate a coverage pilot beam to enable wireless mobile devices to set up spread spectrum wireless communication links with the generating wireless base station. The wireless base stations are configured to transmit data to the wireless mobile devices to cause a portion of the wireless mobile devices to reselect ones of wireless base stations for wireless communication links in a manner that reduces power load imbalances between the wireless base stations. The transmitted data is indicative of a set of shadow prices, wherein each of the wireless base stations is associated with a corresponding one of the shadow prices.

Abstract: A multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) communication system is configured to perform user scheduling with reduced channel station information. The system includes multiple terminals and at least one base station configured to communicate with the terminals. The base station is operative to obtain channel vector magnitudes for respective ones of the terminals, to identify a subset of the terminals based on the channel vector magnitudes, to obtain channel vector phase information for the identified subset of terminals, and to utilize the channel vector phase information to control transmission to the identified subset of terminals. The system may be, for example, a multi-user MIMO system in which the multiple terminals comprise autonomous single-antenna terminals.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of wireless base stations that are located in a contiguous spatial coverage region of a cellular communication system. Each wireless base station that is configured to generate a coverage pilot beam to enable wireless mobile devices to set up spread spectrum wireless communication links with the generating wireless base station. The wireless base stations are configured to transmit data to the wireless mobile devices to cause a portion of the wireless mobile devices to reselect ones of wireless base stations for wireless communication links in a manner that reduces power load imbalances between the wireless base stations. The transmitted data is indicative of a set of shadow prices, wherein each of the wireless base stations is associated with a corresponding one of the shadow prices.

Abstract: A wireless mobile device is configured to set up communications via wireless links with wireless base stations of a cellular communication system and to obtain information indicative of shadow prices of said wireless base stations via wireless transmissions. Each of the wireless base stations has a corresponding shadow price. The wireless mobile device is configured to make a select one of the wireless base stations for a wireless link with the wireless mobile device based on the information indicative of the shadow prices.

Abstract: A cache management system and method and a content distribution system. In one embodiment, the cache management system includes: (1) a content request receiver configured to receive content requests, (2) a popularity lifetime prediction modeler coupled to the content request receiver and configured to generate popularity lifetime prediction models for content that can be cached based on at least some of the content requests, (3) a database coupled to the popularity lifetime prediction modeler and configured to contain the popularity lifetime prediction models and (4) a popularity lifetime prediction model matcher coupled to the content request receiver and the database and configured to match at least one content request to the popularity lifetime prediction models and control a cache based thereon.

Abstract: A multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) communication system is configured to perform user scheduling with reduced channel station information. The system includes multiple terminals and at least one base station configured to communicate with the terminals. The base station is operative to obtain channel vector magnitudes for respective ones of the terminals, to identify a subset of the terminals based on the channel vector magnitudes, to obtain channel vector phase information for the identified subset of terminals, and to utilize the channel vector phase information to control transmission to the identified subset of terminals. The system may be, for example, a multi-user MIMO system in which the multiple terminals comprise autonomous single-antenna terminals.

Abstract: The scheduling of data transmissions for a CDMA system downlink or other type of communication network is implemented on a dynamic basis using a revenue-based policy. For a given transmission slot or other transmission interval, a maximum-rate user is identified from among a set of users requesting data transmissions, and a data transmission of the maximum-rate user is scheduled for the given interval. The maximum-rate user is identified based on application of coefficients of a revenue vector to corresponding feasible rates of the requesting users. The revenue vector is determined in an iterative manner using an adaptive algorithm which updates the revenue vector periodically to compensate for observed deviations between actual and target throughput, such that the deviations are reduced over time and the revenue vector converges to an optimal revenue vector.

Abstract: The interference on the available communication frequencies is measured during an idle time slot over a first period of time at a first rate. The available frequencies are prioritized based on the interference measurements, and a list is formed of the frequencies having the lowest interference measurements. Interference measurements are made at a second rate, greater than the first rate, for a second period of time less than the first period. When a call is assigned, the interference level requirements for the call are given, and the carrier power level of the call is measured. The carrier-to-interference ratio of each frequency in the list is determined using the second interference measurements and the measured carrier power. The frequencies in the list meeting the interference level requirements for the call are then selected, and frequency hopping while serving the call is performed using the selected frequencies.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for planning of wireless networks are described. A system according to an aspect of the present invention receives inputs describing traffic statistics for a wireless network and computes network specifications. The system uses the traffic statistics and network specifications as inputs to a computationally tractable model used to compute parameters for the user level performance of the wireless network. The model may suitably be a processor sharing queuing model. The model employed by the planning system allows analytical solution for the desired user level parameters, given the characteristics and conditions entered as inputs and the intended network layout characteristics. Once a set of user level performance parameters has been computed, the values of the parameters are examined to determine if they meet predetermined requirements, in an iterative process continuing until a set of specifications has been developed that produces parameters meeting the requirements.

Abstract: A base station of a code division, multiple access (CDMA) telecommunications system employs scheduling of data transmission signals to corresponding user transceivers in down-link channels of a data network. One or more user transceivers may be in communication with a base station within a cell, and each user may have a minimum data rate requirement. In accordance with the present invention, the scheduling of user data transmission follows the constraints that 1) each base station transmits to user transceivers one at a time, and 2) the base station uses full available power for the down-link channel when transmitting (for data networks only). Given a data network of users, the method of scheduling and data rates may be modeled in accordance with a linear programming problem optimized according to a predefined criterion. In addition, the present method may be employed in a hybrid CDMA/time-share system to reduce power of data channels in communication with user transceivers near the base station.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving call quality and capacity by integrating a dynamic channel allocation technique into an intelligent antenna system. The intelligent antenna systems includes beams which are grouped into sets, wherein each set has associated a long list and a primary short list, and each beam has associated a secondary short list. In one embodiment, long term interference levels are measured on each beam in a set of beams for a plurality of communication channels to produce the long list; short term interference levels are measured on each beam in the set of beams for a portion of the plurality of communication channels to produce a plurality of secondary short lists and the primary short list; and communication channels are assigned to a mobile-station from the portion of the plurality of communication channels based on the measured short term interference levels on each beam in the set of beams.