US6169728B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for spectrum management in a multipoint communication system
Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
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Filing: 1997-09-08
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Granted: 2001-01-02
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Expires: 2017-09-08
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus ( 101 ) and method for spectrum management in a multipoint communication system controls upstream channel usage for secondary stations ( 110 ) transmitting information to a primary station ( 101 ) and downstream channel usage for secondary stations ( 110 ) receiving information from a primary station ( 101 ). The preferred apparatus ( 101 ) embodiment includes a processor arrangement ( 120 ) having a master controller ( 121 ) and a plurality of processors ( 130 ), with the processor arrangement connected to a channel interface ( 125 ). The apparatus ( 101 ) and method controls channel load balancing, channel congestion, and channel assignment in a multipoint communication system, and controls upstream channels independently from downstream channels. Factors and parameters utilized in such channel control and allocation include error parameters, channel noise parameters, transmit and receive loading factors, and congestion parameters.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Perreault
- 👤 Dennis J. Picker
- 👤 Sunil K. Menon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/42; H04H20/65; H04H20/76; H04H20/77; H04H20/78; H04J; H04J1/00; H04J1/02; H04J1/12; H04N21/00; H04N21/60; H04N21/63; H04N21/647; H04N21/64723; H04N21/6473; H04N21/64738; H04N21/64746; H04N21/64753; H04N21/64761
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 81
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for spectrum management in a communication system, the communication system having a communication medium, the communication medium having a plurality of downstream communication channels, the communication medium further having a plurality of upstream communication channels, the communication system further having a plurality of secondary stations coupleable to the communication medium, each secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations having a receiver and a transmitter, the method comprising: (a) allocating loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels and of the plurality of downstream communication channels for an entering secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations; (b) allocating loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels and of the plurality of downstream communication channels for an active secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations; (c) allocating the plurality of upstream communication channels and the plurality of downstream communication channels based upon an error parameter; and (d) allocating loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels and of the plurality of downstream communication channels based upon a congestion parameter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for spectrum management in a communication system, the communication system having a communication medium, the communication medium having a plurality of downstream communication channels, the communication medium further having a plurality of upstream communication channels, the communication system further having a plurality of secondary stations coupleable to the communication medium, each secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations having a receiver and a transmitter, the method comprising: (a) allocating loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels and of the plurality of downstream communication channels for an entering secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations; (b) allocating loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels and of the plurality of downstream communication channels for an active secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations; (c) allocating the plurality of upstream communication channels and the plurality of downstream communication channels based upon an error parameter; and (d) allocating loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels and of the plurality of downstream communication channels based upon a congestion parameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: (e) repeating steps (a) through (d), inclusive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
205 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) further comprises: (c1) monitoring an error rate for each upstream communication channel of the plurality of upstream communication channels; (c2) determining whether the error rate for each upstream communication channel of the plurality of upstream communication channels exceeds a first threshold to form a set of upstream high error channels; (c3) determining a channel noise parameter for a first upstream high error channel of the set of upstream high error channels; (c4) when the channel noise parameter of the first upstream high error channel exceeds a second threshold, transferring a secondary station transmitter from the first upstream high error channel to a first idle upstream communication channel of the plurality of upstream communication channels, the first idle upstream communication channel then having a channel noise parameter lower than the second threshold; and (c5) when the channel noise parameter of the first upstream high error channel is less than the second threshold, transferring a secondary station transmitter from the first upstream high error channel to a second idle upstream communication channel of the plurality of upstream communication channels, the second idle upstream communication channel having a frequency higher than a frequency of the first upstream high error channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising: (c6) repeating steps (c3) through (c5), inclusive, for each high error channel of the plurality of high error channels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising: (c7) repeating steps (c1) through (c6), inclusive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the first threshold and the second threshold are predetermined.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the first threshold and the second threshold are adaptive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the channel noise parameter is the received signal strength measured when an upstream high error channel of the set of upstream high error channels is idle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) further comprises: (c8) monitoring a downstream error rate for each secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations which is connected to a first downstream communication channel of the plurality of downstream communication channels; and (c9) when a predetermined number of the plurality of secondary stations have a downstream error rate which exceeds a threshold, transferring a secondary station receiver from the first downstream communication channel to a second downstream communication channel of the plurality of downstream communication channels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the third threshold is predetermined.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the third threshold is adaptive.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
120 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises: (a1) determining a receive loading factor for each receiver of a plurality of primary station receivers to form a plurality of receive loading factors; (a2) when the plurality of receive loading factors indicate initialization of the communication system, sequentially assigning a transmitter of each secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations to each receiver of the plurality of primary station receivers; and (a3) when the plurality of receive loading factors do not indicate initialization of the communication system, assigning a transmitter of an entering secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations to a receiver of the plurality of primary station receivers then having a lowest receive loading factor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
120 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises: (a4) determining a transmit loading factor for each transmitter of a plurality of primary station transmitters to form a plurality of transmit loading factors; (a5) when the plurality of transmit loading factors indicate initialization of the communication system, sequentially assigning a receiver of each secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations to each transmitter of the plurality of primary station transmitters; and (a6) when the plurality of transmit loading factors do not indicate initialization of the communication system, assigning a receiver of an entering secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations to a transmitter of the plurality of primary station transmitters then having a lowest transmit loading factor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
179 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) further comprises: (b1) determining a receive loading factor for each receiver of a plurality of primary station receivers to form a plurality of receive loading factors; (b2) when a variation of the plurality of receive loading factors exceeds a threshold, selecting a first receiver of the plurality of primary station receivers then having a highest receive loading factor; (b3) for the first receiver, determining an impact level of a transfer for each corresponding secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations and selecting a secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations then having a highest impact level to form a selected transmitter; (b4) selecting a second receiver of the plurality of primary station receivers then having a receive loading factor less than a mean receive loading factor and determining a second receive loading factor for the selected receiver in conjunction with the selected transmitter; and (b5) when the second receive loading factor is less than the mean receive loading factor, transferring the selected transmitter to the second receiver.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein step (b3) further comprises: (b3i) determining whether communication system historical information precludes a potential transfer of the selected transmitter; and (b3ii) when communication system historical information precludes the potential transfer of the selected transmitter, selecting a secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected transmitter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein step (b3) further comprises: (b3iii) determining whether communication system protocol information precludes a potential transfer of the selected transmitter; and (b3iv) when communication system protocol information precludes the potential transfer of the selected transmitter, selecting a secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected transmitter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the threshold is predetermined.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the threshold is adaptive.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the receive loading factor further comprises a weighted combination of a packet rate, a bit rate, and a cycle time.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
179 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) further comprises: (b6) determining a transmit loading factor for each transmitter of a plurality of primary station transmitters to form a plurality of transmit loading factors; (b7) when a variation of the plurality of transmit loading factors exceeds a threshold, selecting a first transmitter of the plurality of primary station transmitters then having a highest transmit loading factor; (b8) for the first transmitter, determining an impact level of a transfer for each corresponding secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations and selecting a secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations then having a highest impact level to form a selected receiver; (b9) selecting a second transmitter of the plurality of primary station transmitters then having a transmit loading factor less than a mean transmit loading factor and determining a second transmit loading factor for the second transmitter in conjunction with the selected receiver; and (b10) when the second transmit loading factor is less than the mean transmit loading factor, transferring the selected receiver to the second transmitter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein step (b8) further comprises: (b8i) determining whether communication system historical information precludes a potential transfer of the selected receiver; and (b8ii) when communication system historical information precludes the potential transfer of the selected receiver, selecting a secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected receiver.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein step (b8) further comprises: (b8iii) determining whether communication system protocol information precludes a potential transfer of the selected receiver; and (b8iv) when communication system protocol information precludes the potential transfer of the selected receiver, selecting a secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected receiver.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the threshold is predetermined.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the threshold is adaptive.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the transmit loading factor further comprises a weighted combination of a packet rate, a bit rate, and a queue depth.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
170 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) further comprises: (d1) determining a congestion parameter for each receiver of a plurality of primary station receivers to form a plurality of congestion parameters; (d2) when a congestion parameter of the plurality of congestion parameters exceeds a first threshold, selecting a first receiver of the plurality of primary station receivers then having a highest congestion parameter; (d3) for the first receiver, determining an impact level of a transfer for each corresponding secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations and selecting a secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations then having a highest impact level to form a selected transmitter; (d4) selecting a second receiver of the plurality of primary station receivers then having a congestion parameter less than the first threshold and determining a second congestion parameter for the second receiver in conjunction with the selected transmitter; and (d5) when the second congestion parameter is less than the first threshold, transferring the selected transmitter to the second receiver.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein step (d3) further comprises: (d3i) determining whether communication system historical information precludes a potential transfer of the selected transmitter; and (d3ii) when communication system historical information precludes the potential transfer of the selected transmitter, selecting a secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected transmitter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein step (d3) further comprises: (d3iii) determining whether communication system protocol information precludes a potential transfer of the selected transmitter; and (d3iv) when communication system protocol information precludes the potential transfer of the selected transmitter, selecting a secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected transmitter.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising: (d6) repeating steps (d3) through (d5), inclusive, until the congestion parameter of the first receiver has decreased below a hysteresis threshold.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the first threshold and the hysteresis threshold are predetermined.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the first threshold and the hysteresis threshold are adaptive.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the congestion parameter is an access latency factor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
169 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) further comprises: (d6) determining a congestion parameter for each transmitter of a plurality of primary station transmitters to form a plurality of congestion parameters; (d7) when a congestion parameter of the plurality of congestion parameters exceeds a first threshold, selecting a first transmitter of the plurality of primary station transmitters then having a highest congestion parameter; (d8) for the first transmitter, determining an impact level of a transfer for each corresponding secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations and selecting a secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations then having a highest impact level to form a selected receiver; (d9) selecting a second transmitter of the plurality of primary station transmitters then having a congestion parameter less than the first threshold and determining a second congestion parameter for the second transmitter in conjunction with the selected receiver; and (d10) when the second congestion parameter is less than first threshold, transferring the selected receiver to the second transmitter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein step (d8) further comprises: (d8i) determining whether communication system historical information precludes a potential transfer of the selected receiver; and (d8ii) when communication system historical information precludes the potential transfer of the selected receiver, selecting a secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected receiver.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein step (d8) further comprises: (d8iii) determining whether communication system protocol information precludes a potential transfer of the selected receiver; and (d8iv) when communication system protocol information precludes the potential transfer of the selected receiver, selecting a secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected receiver.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 33 , further comprising: (d11) repeating steps (d8) through (d10), inclusive, until the congestion parameter of the first transmitter has decreased below a hysteresis threshold.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the first threshold and the hysteresis threshold are predetermined.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the first threshold and the hysteresis threshold are adaptive.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the congestion parameter is a throughput factor.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
230 words
An apparatus for spectrum management in a communication system, the communication system having a communication medium, the communication medium having a plurality of downstream communication channels, the communication medium further having a plurality of upstream communication channels, the communication system further having a plurality of secondary stations coupleable to the communication medium, each secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations having a receiver and a transmitter, the apparatus comprising: a channel interface coupleable to the communication medium for signal transmission on a downstream communication channel of the plurality of downstream communication channels and for signal reception on an upstream communication channel of the plurality of upstream communication channels; and a processor arrangement coupled to the channel interface, the processor arrangement responsive through a set of program instructions to allocate loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels and of the plurality of downstream communication channels for an entering secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations; to allocate loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels and of the plurality of downstream communication channels for an active secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations; to allocate the plurality of upstream communication channels and the plurality of downstream communication channels based upon an error parameter; and to allocate loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels and of the plurality of downstream communication channels based upon a congestion parameter.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
230 words
An apparatus for spectrum management in a communication system, the communication system having a communication medium, the communication medium having a plurality of downstream communication channels, the communication medium further having a plurality of upstream communication channels, the communication system further having a plurality of secondary stations coupleable to the communication medium, each secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations having a receiver and a transmitter, the apparatus comprising: a channel interface coupleable to the communication medium for signal transmission on a downstream communication channel of the plurality of downstream communication channels and for signal reception on an upstream communication channel of the plurality of upstream communication channels; and a processor arrangement coupled to the channel interface, the processor arrangement responsive through a set of program instructions to allocate loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels and of the plurality of downstream communication channels for an entering secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations; to allocate loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels and of the plurality of downstream communication channels for an active secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations; to allocate the plurality of upstream communication channels and the plurality of downstream communication channels based upon an error parameter; and to allocate loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels and of the plurality of downstream communication channels based upon a congestion parameter.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
207 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to monitor an error rate for each upstream communication channel of the plurality of upstream communication channels; to determine whether the error rate for each upstream communication channel of the plurality of upstream communication channels exceeds a first threshold to form a set of upstream high error channels; to determine a channel noise parameter for a first upstream high error channel of the set of upstream high error channels; when the channel noise parameter of the first upstream high error channel exceeds a second threshold, to transfer a secondary station transmitter from the first upstream high error channel to a first idle upstream communication channel of the plurality of upstream communication channels, the first idle upstream communication channel then having a channel noise parameter lower than the second threshold; and when the channel noise parameter of the first upstream high error channel is less than the second threshold, to transfer a secondary station transmitter from the first upstream high error channel to a second idle upstream communication channel of the plurality of upstream communication channels, the second idle upstream communication channel having a frequency higher than a frequency of the first upstream high error channel.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the first threshold and the second threshold are predetermined.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the first threshold and the second threshold are adaptive.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the channel noise parameter is the received signal strength measured when a high error channel of the plurality of high error channels is idle.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to monitor a downstream error rate for each secondary station connected to a first downstream communication channel of the plurality of downstream communication channels; and when a predetermined number of the plurality of secondary stations have a downstream error rate which exceeds a threshold, to transfer a secondary station receiver from the first downstream communication channel to a second downstream communication channel of the plurality of downstream communication channels.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 45 wherein the threshold is predetermined.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 45 wherein the threshold is adaptive.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
123 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to determine a receive loading factor for each receiver of a plurality of primary station receivers to form a plurality of receive loading factors; when the plurality of receive loading factors indicate initialization of the communication system, to sequentially assign a transmitter of each secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations to each receiver of the plurality of primary station receivers; and when the plurality of receive loading factors do not indicate initialization of the communication system, to assign a transmitter of an entering secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations to a receiver of the plurality of primary station receivers then having a lowest receive loading factor.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
122 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to determine a transmit loading factor for each transmitter of a plurality of primary station transmitters to form a plurality of transmit loading factors; when the plurality of transmit loading factors indicate initialization of the communication system, to sequentially assign a receiver of each secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations to each transmitter of the plurality of primary station transmitters; and when the plurality of transmit loading factors do not indicate initialization of the communication system, to assign a receiver of an entering secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations to a transmitter of the plurality of primary station transmitters then having a lowest transmit loading factor.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
182 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to determine a receive loading factor for each receiver of a plurality of primary station receivers to form a plurality of receive loading factors; when a variation of the plurality of receive loading factors exceeds a threshold, to select a first receiver of the plurality of primary station receivers then having a highest receive loading factor; for the first receiver, to determine an impact level of a transfer for each corresponding secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations and selecting a secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations then having a highest impact level to form a selected transmitter; to select a second receiver of the plurality of primary station receivers then having a receive loading factor less than a mean receive loading factor and to determine a second receive loading factor for the second receiver in conjunction with the selected transmitter; and when the second receive loading factor is less than the mean receive loading factor, to transfer the selected transmitter to the second receiver.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 50 , wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to determine whether communication system historical information precludes a potential transfer of the selected transmitter; and when communication system historical information precludes the potential transfer of the selected transmitter, to select a secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected transmitter.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 50 , wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive to: to determine whether communication system protocol information precludes a potential transfer of the selected transmitter; and when communication system protocol information precludes the potential transfer of the selected transmitter, to select a secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected transmitter.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the threshold is predetermined.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the threshold is adaptive.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the receive loading factor further comprises a weighted combination of a packet rate, a bit rate, and a cycle time.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
183 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to determine a transmit loading factor for each transmitter of a plurality of primary station transmitters to form a plurality of transmit loading factors; when a variation of the plurality of transmit loading factors exceeds a threshold, to select a first transmitter of the plurality of primary station transmitters then having a highest transmit loading factor; for the first transmitter, to determine an impact level of a transfer for each corresponding secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations and to select the secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations then having a highest impact level to form a selected receiver; to select a second transmitter of the plurality of primary station transmitters then having a transmit loading factor less than a mean transmit loading factor and to determine a second transmit loading factor for the selected transmitter in conjunction with the second receiver; and when the second transmit loading factor is less than the mean transmit loading factor, to transfer the selected receiver to the second transmitter.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 56 , wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to determine whether communication system historical information precludes a potential transfer of the selected receiver; and when communication system historical information precludes the potential transfer of the selected receiver, to select a secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected receiver.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 56 , wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to determine whether communication system protocol information precludes a potential transfer of the selected receiver; and when communication system protocol information precludes the potential transfer of the selected receiver, to select a secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected receiver.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the threshold is predetermined.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the threshold is adaptive.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the transmit loading factor further comprises a weighted combination of a packet rate, a bit rate, and a queue depth.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
174 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to determine a congestion parameter for each receiver of a plurality of primary station receivers to form a plurality of congestion parameters; when a congestion parameter of the plurality of congestion parameters exceeds a first threshold, to select a first receiver of the plurality of primary station receivers then having a highest congestion parameter; for the first receiver, to determine an impact level of a transfer for each corresponding secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations and to select a secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations then having a highest impact level to form a selected transmitter; to select a second receiver of the plurality of primary station receivers then having a congestion parameter less than the first threshold and to determine a second congestion parameter for the second receiver in conjunction with the selected transmitter; and when the second congestion parameter is less than the first threshold, to transfer the selected transmitter to the second receiver.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 62 , wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to determine whether communication system historical information precludes a potential transfer of the selected transmitter; and when communication system historical information precludes the potential transfer of the selected transmitter, to select a secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected transmitter.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 62 , wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to determine whether communication system protocol information precludes a potential transfer of the selected transmitter; and when communication system protocol information precludes the potential transfer of the selected transmitter, to select a secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected transmitter.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
129 words
The apparatus of claim 62 , wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive, until the congestion parameter of the first receiver has decreased below a hysteresis threshold, to repeatedly: determine an impact level of a transfer for each corresponding secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations and to select a secondary station transmitter of the plurality of secondary stations then having a highest impact level to form a selected transmitter; select a second receiver of the plurality of primary station receivers then having a congestion parameter less than the first threshold and determine a second congestion parameter for the second receiver in conjunction with the selected transmitter; and when the second congestion parameter is less than the first threshold, transfer the selected transmitter to the second receiver.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the first threshold and the hysteresis threshold are predetermined.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the first threshold and the hysteresis threshold are adaptive.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the congestion parameter is an access latency factor.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
173 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to determine a congestion parameter for each transmitter of a plurality of primary station transmitters to form a plurality of congestion parameters; when a congestion parameter of the plurality of congestion parameters exceeds a first threshold, to select a first transmitter of the plurality of primary station transmitters then having a highest congestion parameter; for the first transmitter, to determine an impact level of a transfer for each corresponding secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations and to select a secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations then having a highest impact level to form a selected receiver; to select a second transmitter of the plurality of primary station transmitters then having a congestion parameter less than the first threshold and to determine a second congestion parameter for the second transmitter in conjunction with the selected receiver; and when the second congestion parameter is less than first threshold, to transfer the selected receiver to the second transmitter.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 69 , wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to determine whether communication system historical information precludes a potential transfer of the selected receiver; and when communication system historical information precludes the potential transfer of the selected receiver, to select a secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected receiver.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 69 , wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive: to determine whether communication system protocol information precludes a potential transfer of the selected receiver; and when communication system protocol information precludes the potential transfer of the selected receiver, to select a secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations then having a next highest impact level to form the selected receiver.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
127 words
The apparatus of claim 69 , wherein the processor arrangement is further responsive, until the congestion parameter of the first transmitter has decreased below a hysteresis threshold, to repeatedly: determine an impact level of a transfer for each corresponding secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations and select the secondary station receiver of the plurality of secondary stations then having a highest impact level to form a selected receiver; select a second transmitter of the plurality of primary station transmitters then having a congestion parameter less than the first threshold and determine a second congestion parameter for the second transmitter in conjunction with the selected receiver; and when the second congestion parameter is less than first threshold, transfer the selected receiver to the second transmitter.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 72 wherein the first threshold and the hysteresis threshold are predetermined.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 72 wherein the first threshold and the hysteresis threshold are adaptive.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 69 wherein the congestion parameter further comprises a throughput factor.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the apparatus is embodied within a primary station.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the processor arrangement further comprises: a first processor coupled to the channel interface; a second processor coupled to the channel interface; and a master controller coupled to the first processor and to the second processor.
Claim 80
Independent Claim
492 words
An apparatus for spectrum management in a communication system, the communication system having a communication medium, the communication medium having a plurality of downstream communication channels, the communication medium further having a plurality of upstream communication channels, the communication system further having a plurality of secondary stations coupleable to the communication medium, each secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations having a receiver and a transmitter, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of channel interfaces coupleable to the communication medium, each channel interface of the plurality of channel interfaces having a transmitter for signal transmission on a downstream communication channel of the plurality of downstream communication channels to form a plurality of primary station transmitters, and each channel interface of the plurality of channel interfaces further having a receiver for signal reception on an upstream communication channel of the plurality of upstream communication channels to form a plurality of primary station receivers; a plurality of processors coupled to the plurality of channel interfaces; and a master controller coupled to the plurality of processors, the master controller further having a memory, the master controller responsive through a set of program instructions stored in the memory: to allocate loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels for an entering secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations based upon a first receive loading factor of a plurality of receive loading factors, the plurality of receive loading factors including a cycle time factor; to allocate loading of the plurality of downstream communication channels for the entering secondary station based upon a first transmit loading factor of a plurality of transmit loading factors, the plurality of transmit loading factor including a queue depth factor; to allocate loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels for an active secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations based upon a second receive loading factor of the plurality of receive loading factors and based upon a variation of the plurality of receive loading factors; to allocate loading of the plurality of downstream communication channels for the active secondary station based upon a second transmit loading factor of the plurality of transmit loading factors and based upon a variation of the plurality of transmit loading factors; to allocate the plurality of upstream communication channels based upon a first error parameter of a plurality of error parameters and based upon a first channel noise parameter of a plurality of channel noise parameters; to allocate the plurality of downstream communication channels based upon a second error parameter of the plurality of error parameters and based upon a number of secondary stations of the plurality of secondary stations having the second error parameter; to allocate loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels based upon a first congestion parameter, the first congestion parameter including an access latency factor; and to allocate loading of the plurality of downstream communication channels based upon a second congestion parameter, the second congestion parameter including a throughput factor.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
492 words
An apparatus for spectrum management in a communication system, the communication system having a communication medium, the communication medium having a plurality of downstream communication channels, the communication medium further having a plurality of upstream communication channels, the communication system further having a plurality of secondary stations coupleable to the communication medium, each secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations having a receiver and a transmitter, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of channel interfaces coupleable to the communication medium, each channel interface of the plurality of channel interfaces having a transmitter for signal transmission on a downstream communication channel of the plurality of downstream communication channels to form a plurality of primary station transmitters, and each channel interface of the plurality of channel interfaces further having a receiver for signal reception on an upstream communication channel of the plurality of upstream communication channels to form a plurality of primary station receivers; a plurality of processors coupled to the plurality of channel interfaces; and a master controller coupled to the plurality of processors, the master controller further having a memory, the master controller responsive through a set of program instructions stored in the memory: to allocate loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels for an entering secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations based upon a first receive loading factor of a plurality of receive loading factors, the plurality of receive loading factors including a cycle time factor; to allocate loading of the plurality of downstream communication channels for the entering secondary station based upon a first transmit loading factor of a plurality of transmit loading factors, the plurality of transmit loading factor including a queue depth factor; to allocate loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels for an active secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations based upon a second receive loading factor of the plurality of receive loading factors and based upon a variation of the plurality of receive loading factors; to allocate loading of the plurality of downstream communication channels for the active secondary station based upon a second transmit loading factor of the plurality of transmit loading factors and based upon a variation of the plurality of transmit loading factors; to allocate the plurality of upstream communication channels based upon a first error parameter of a plurality of error parameters and based upon a first channel noise parameter of a plurality of channel noise parameters; to allocate the plurality of downstream communication channels based upon a second error parameter of the plurality of error parameters and based upon a number of secondary stations of the plurality of secondary stations having the second error parameter; to allocate loading of the plurality of upstream communication channels based upon a first congestion parameter, the first congestion parameter including an access latency factor; and to allocate loading of the plurality of downstream communication channels based upon a second congestion parameter, the second congestion parameter including a throughput factor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-02 | 2004-07-03 | 2005-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-02 | 2008-07-03 | 2009-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-02 | 2012-07-03 | 2013-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |