Abstract: Methods and router for receiving a request message addressed from a first router to setup an inter-domain QoS reservation toward a second router in a further domain, forwarding the request message to setup the inter-domain QoS reservation, receiving an acknowledgment message to confirm that the inter-domain QoS reservation is setup, reserving resources in accordance with the inter-domain QoS reservation, forwarding the acknowledgment message toward the first router, receiving a packet related to the inter-domain QoS reservation and encapsulating, toward the second router, the packet in accordance with the inter-domain QoS reservation by adding a first label to the packet, the first label indicating that the packet is not for delivery in the current domain. Optionally, the methods and the router could encapsulate the first label and the packet by adding a second label thereto, wherein the second label enables proper routing of the thereby encapsulated packet within the current domain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a network node and corresponding methods for implementing a Quality of Service (QoS) mechanism in an Internet Protocol (IP) network. The network node comprises a swapping table comprising swapping records. Each swapping record lists an incoming network path and an associated QoS Class, an outgoing network path associated with the incoming network path. Each swapping records also lists a second QoS Class and an output port of the network node associated with the outgoing network path. The network node also comprises a communication module capable of receiving packet flows on one of the incoming network paths and directing the packets from the packet flows into packet queues each having an associated QoS classification corresponding to the QoS Class of the outgoing network path associated with the incoming network path on which the packets have been received, and as listed in the swapping table.

Abstract: A method, a gateway and an authoritative node for refining quality of service (QoS) mapping for a plurality of packet flows transiting between two networks, wherein the packet flows pertain to a session, comprising capabilities for receiving a request for transiting the packet flows of the session between the two networks and if the request contains an appropriate authorization, associating at least a first one and a second one of the packet flows of the session transporting different types of content with at least a first and a second QoS levels in a mapping table and routing the packet flows between two networks in accordance with the associated QoS levels. Optionally, the step of receiving may further comprise communicating with an authoritative node to fetch a maximum authorized QoS level for each of the packet flows, wherein the QoS levels in the mapping table are set below the maximum authorized QoS level.

Abstract: A wireless local loop communications system includes a digital subscriber line access multiplexer connected to a plurality of network terminals wherein each network terminal provides multi-session local loop access for user communications. A shared point to multi-point wireless communications link connects the digital subscriber line access multiplexer to the plurality of network terminals. Regulation of user and session access to the shared wireless communications link is effectuated by a session dispatcher functionality. That functionality utilizes a dispatcher at each network terminal that operates responsive to received commands to regulate user and session access to the shared wireless communications link.

Abstract: Digital subscriber line access multiplexers are interconnected in a ring topology via wireless links. Each network terminal provides local loop access to a subscriber device and is connected to a digital subscriber line access multiplexer via a wireless access link. This wireless local loop system is overlaid by a conventional cellular communications system capable of supporting wireless communications with cellular mobile stations. In the event of a failure in the wireless local loop system that would leave a certain network terminal stranded with respect to its communications service, that stranded network terminal shifts from use of its wireless access link to instead utilize the cellular system air interface for its subscriber device communications. An adjustment in the rate of subscriber device communications is made to account for any difference in the throughput supported by the wireless access link and the throughput supported by the cellular air interface.

Abstract: A method and packet switched cellular telecommunication system wherein data flows from a terminal are aggregated into one or more Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Label Switched Path (LSP) based on at least one criterion. In a first embodiment, the data flows are aggregated into LSP(s) based on a Quality of Service (QoS) class of each such data flows, by a Network Node, such as a Radio network Controller (RNC) or a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN). In a second embodiment, the data flows or LSPs are aggregated into another LSP(s) based on the destination routing area. The LSP aggregation is performed by an Edge Node of the routing area, such as a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). In a first variant of the 2nd embodiment, the aggregation is used for macro-mobility, while in yet another variant the same aggregation is used for defining a virtual private network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a network node and corresponding methods for implementing a Quality of Service (QoS) mechanism in an Internet Protocol (IP) network. The network node comprises a swapping table comprising swapping records. Each swapping record lists an incoming network path and an associated QoS Class, an outgoing network path associated with the incoming network path. Each swapping records also lists a second QoS Class and an output port of the network node associated with the outgoing network path. The network node also comprises a communication module capable of receiving packet flows on one of the incoming network paths and directing the packets from the packet flows into packet queues each having an associated QoS classification corresponding to the QoS Class of the outgoing network path associated with the incoming network path on which the packets have been received, and as listed in the swapping table.

Abstract: Routing nodes that are interconnected within a communications network are not configured to utilize a single type of switching technology in the context of a single type of networking topology. Responsive to data input and the operation of an expert system, the routing nodes are configured to implement a certain switching technology type and networking technology type, and thus optimize portions of the communications network to handle different types of traffic. Traffic of the various different types may then be efficiently handled through the network by its correspondingly optimized portion.

Abstract: A system and method of providing high-speed wireless local loop access using a wireless access multiplexer disposed in an access network coupled to a plurality of network termination (NT) nodes. The access multiplexer is coupled via an aggregate path to a Point of Presence (POP) switch on a common carrier running at a high aggregate bit rate. A Network Management System (NMS) is provided with a database for storing service subscription profiles for subscribers associated with corresponding NT nodes. The subscription profiles include information regarding subscribers' bandwidth requirements and other Quality of Service (QOS) parameters as per their subscriptions. Using the Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) messages and procedures, the access multiplexer establishes a plurality of wireless access channels to the corresponding network termination nodes based on the service subscription profiles stored in the NMS.

Abstract: With respect to an A-interface within a cellular network, the flow of operation and maintenance information between network layer end-points of the network in connection with A-interface signaling transmissions (DS0 or AAL) over the A1 and A4 sub-interfaces is carried by an F6 OAM flow. Similarly, the flow of operation and maintenance information between network layer end-points of the network in connection with A-interface traffic transmissions (DS0 or AAL) over the A2 and A3 sub-interface is carried by an F7 OAM flow.

Abstract: A star network type topology is implemented for a network synchronization system wherein synchronization information radiates from a centralized primary reference source comprising the global positioning system (GPS). A GPS receiver installed at each mobile switching center and base station of a wireless communications network supplies a stratum 1 classified clock pulse to a local clock. The local clock trains to this clock pulse and generates a corresponding stratum 1 classified synchronization clock pulse for controlling timing operations of the mobile switching center or base station. In the event the GPS primary reference source fails or its accuracy degrades, a change is made to a tree or linear network type topology wherein the synchronization information flows downstream from the mobile switching center local clocks to the base stations. Operation of the network synchronization system is coordinated through a synchronization manager maintained by the transport network management system of the network.

Abstract: A scalable multi-level data bit stream is presented which is capable of supporting variable bandwidth ATM network access, including multiple rates for plural bearer channels of voice communications and increased rates for video and data (file transfer) communications. To support communications system repairability, the bit stream includes an embedded operation channel for connection maintenance, performance monitoring, path tracing and testing. Furthermore, the bit stream includes framing data for performing add/drop multiplexing to control bandwidth use by identifying added and dropped bearer channels communicated within the bit stream. The interface with the ATM network is provided through an ATM adaptation layer that segments the bit stream into ATM cells and also assembles the bit from received ATM cells. Both wireless and wireline communications systems are supported with use of the bit stream to access the ATM network.

Abstract: A stream of communications traffic is processed by a time shifting disperser device. The device senses the burstiness of the received stream of communications traffic and stores individual frames of the received stream of communications traffic for a specified time delay calculated as function of the sensed burstiness. Following the calculated delay, the frame traffic is clocked out from the device to be combined with (added to) other streams of communications traffic for transport over a shared media communications link. In instances where each of the plural streams of communications traffic are processed by an associated disperser device, individual time delays are calculated as function not only of the sensed burstiness but also of a delay determined by a transport network management (operation and maintenance) system from noted correlations in bursts between the multiple streams of communications traffic.

Abstract: To support communications system repairability, a scalable multi-level data bit stream, capable of supporting variable bandwidth ATM network access, includes an embedded operation channel used by a transport network management system to support connection maintenance, performance monitoring, path tracing, service management and testing functionalities. The transport network management system effectuates a service specific convergence sub-layer functionality to convert between Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP) formatted operation and maintenance managed objects and a message format for the embedded operation channel data. The conversion comprises a Remote Operations Service Element (ROSE) encapsulation, with the encapsulated data incorporated within the embedded operation channel of the multi-level data bit stream. An interface is provided with the ATM network through an ATM adaptation layer to segment the multi-level data bit stream into a plurality of ATM cells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the load on a communications link in a common channel signalling system connecting an exchange in a telephone network to regional equipment such as a remote subscriber switch or a remote cellular base station. The length indicator field of each signal unit transmitted over the reserved channel of the communications link is monitored by the exchange to determine the number of bytes of message data being transmitted over the link during a predetermined time period. The load on the communications link is identified by taking the ratio of the determined number of bytes to the number of full value bytes capable of transmission over the communications link during an identical time period.

Abstract: A network management system and method in a telecommunications network for selectively accessing a plurality of synchronization sources of varying levels of accuracy, availability, and cost, and for enabling individual subscribers to select which synchronization source they utilize for each service application. Alternatively, the network management system may dynamically provide each subscriber with the least expensive synchronization source having the required level of accuracy for the subscriber's selected application.

Abstract: A method and device for recognizing a signature of dialing pulse present in a communication signal isolate from the latter signal the signature. The so isolated signature is correlated with a statistic model obtained from a large number of dialing pulse signatures to determine whether the isolated signature corresponds to a dialing pulse. During this correlation, a first complex function representative of the isolated signature is calculated and correlated with a second complex function representative of the statistic model. The result of the correlation is normalized and whether the isolated signature is a signature of dialing pulse is decided in function of this normalization. The method and device can be used to convert into a tone frequency signal a series of dialing pulse signatures present in the communication signal and corresponding to a dialed digit.