US5740173A
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US
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Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cell arrival monitoring system
Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
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Filing: 1996-02-28
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Granted: 1998-04-14
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Expires: 2016-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A system is provided for monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, particularly for the detection and handling of lost and misinserted cells. A received cell is accepted (i.e., the user data conveyed in its payload is used for the reassembly process of a transported user signal) if it is recognized as the next expected cell. Otherwise, an acceptance decision for the received cell is delayed if it is not recognized as the next expected cell. The delay occurs until either reception of a subsequent cell or until the acceptance decision is prompted by a predetermined condition of a user data buffer. The predetermined condition of the user data buffer is an emptying of the user data buffer to a point that reassembly of the transported user signal would be unstable. If necessary, dummy data is generated while delaying an acceptance decision for the received cell. An acceptance decision which is prompted by the predetermined condition of a user data buffer is made taking into account whether a cell whose acceptance decision has been delayed is present in the cell arrival buffer. In addition, the system makes a determination regarding whether cell losses or an insufficient cell delay variation (CDV) compensation causes the user data buffer to reach the predetermined condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Paolo Fiorini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:16
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0478; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5601; H04L2012/5629; H04L2012/5631; H04L2012/5636; H04L2012/5638; H04L2012/5646; H04L2012/5647; H04L2012/565; H04L2012/5652
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) accepting a received cell if is recognized as the next expected cell; (b) delaying an acceptance decision for the received cell if it is not recognized as the next expected cell until reception of a subsequent cell unless the acceptance decision is prompted by an underflow condition of a user data buffer; and (c) when the reception of the acceptance decision is prompted by the underflow condition of the user data buffer, using a sequence number of the received cell to determine if the received cell is to be discarded.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) accepting a received cell if is recognized as the next expected cell; (b) delaying an acceptance decision for the received cell if it is not recognized as the next expected cell until reception of a subsequent cell unless the acceptance decision is prompted by an underflow condition of a user data buffer; and (c) when the reception of the acceptance decision is prompted by the underflow condition of the user data buffer, using a sequence number of the received cell to determine if the received cell is to be discarded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the underflow condition of the user data buffer is an emptying of the user data buffer to a point that reassembly of a user signal would be unstable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising generating dummy data while delaying an acceptance decision for the received cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising making the acceptance decision prompted by the underflow condition of a user data buffer by taking into account whether a cell whose acceptance decision has been delayed is present in the cell arrival buffer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising, upon making the acceptance decision prompted by the underflow condition of a user data buffer, making a determination regarding a cause for the user data buffer to reach the underflow condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising, upon making the acceptance decision prompted by the underflow condition of a user data buffer, making a determination regarding whether cell losses or an insufficient cell delay variation (CDV) compensation causes the user data buffer to reach the underflow condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1, wherein when the acceptance decision is prompted, the sequence number of the received cell is utilized to determine whether one of the following occurs: (1) generating dummy data; (2) discarding the received cell and generating the dummy data.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: accepting a received cell if is recognized as the next expected cell; delaying an acceptance decision for the received cell if it is not recognized as the next expected cell until either reception of a subsequent cell or until the acceptance decision is prompted by a predetermined condition of a user data buffer; wherein recognizing the received cell as the next expected cell involves verification that a sequence number of the received cell is in sequence with a last received cell and that a sequence number validity flag is of a predetermined value.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: accepting a received cell if is recognized as the next expected cell; delaying an acceptance decision for the received cell if it is not recognized as the next expected cell until either reception of a subsequent cell or until the acceptance decision is prompted by a predetermined condition of a user data buffer; wherein recognizing the received cell as the next expected cell involves verification that a sequence number of the received cell is in sequence with a last received cell and that a sequence number validity flag is of a predetermined value.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) accepting a received cell if is recognized as the next expected cell; (b) delaying an acceptance decision for the received cell if it is not recognized as the next expected cell until either reception of a subsequent cell or until the acceptance decision is prompted by a predetermined condition of a user data buffer; (c) upon the user data buffer reaching the predetermined condition, (1) loading dummy data into the user data buffer; and (2) analyzing a next received cell and considering the next received cell as a late arrived cell indicative of insufficient cell delay variation (CDV) compensation if it is recognized as being the cell that has just been replaced with the dummy data.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) accepting a received cell if is recognized as the next expected cell; (b) delaying an acceptance decision for the received cell if it is not recognized as the next expected cell until either reception of a subsequent cell or until the acceptance decision is prompted by a predetermined condition of a user data buffer; (c) upon the user data buffer reaching the predetermined condition, (1) loading dummy data into the user data buffer; and (2) analyzing a next received cell and considering the next received cell as a late arrived cell indicative of insufficient cell delay variation (CDV) compensation if it is recognized as being the cell that has just been replaced with the dummy data.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell; and (b) when a handling decision regarding the received cell is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria and when an underflow condition of a user data buffer is reached, using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell, the cell handling second criteria involving using a sequence number of the received cell to determine if the received cell is to be discarded.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell; and (b) when a handling decision regarding the received cell is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria and when an underflow condition of a user data buffer is reached, using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell, the cell handling second criteria involving using a sequence number of the received cell to determine if the received cell is to be discarded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the underflow condition of the user data buffer is an emptying of the user data buffer to a point that reassembly of a user signal would be unstable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising generating dummy data while delaying a handling decision for the received cell.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising making the handling decision prompted by the underflow condition of a user data buffer by taking into account whether a cell whose acceptance decision has been delayed is present in the cell arrival buffer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising, upon making the handling decision prompted by the underflow condition of a user data buffer, making a determination regarding a cause for the user data buffer to reach the underflow condition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising, upon making the handling decision prompted by the underflow condition of a user data buffer, making a determination regarding whether cell losses or an insufficient cell delay variation (CDV) compensation causes the user data buffer to reach the underflow condition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 10, wherein in accordance with the cell handling second criteria the sequence number of the received cell is utilized to determine whether one of the following occurs: (1) generating dummy data; (2) discarding the received cell and generating the dummy data.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell; when a handling decision regarding the received cell is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria and when a predetermined condition of a user data buffer is reached, using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell; wherein recognizing the received cell as the next expected cell involves verification that a sequence number of the received cell is in sequence with a last received cell and that a sequence number validity flag is of a predetermined value.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell; when a handling decision regarding the received cell is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria and when a predetermined condition of a user data buffer is reached, using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell; wherein recognizing the received cell as the next expected cell involves verification that a sequence number of the received cell is in sequence with a last received cell and that a sequence number validity flag is of a predetermined value.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell (b) when a handling decision regarding the received cell is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria and when a predetermined condition of a user data buffer is reached, using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell; (c) upon the user data buffer reaching the predetermined condition: (1) loading dummy data into the user data buffer; and (2) analyzing a next received cell and considering the next received cell as a late arrived cell indicative of insufficient cell delay variation compensation (CDV) if it is recognized as being the cell that has just been replaced with the dummy data.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell (b) when a handling decision regarding the received cell is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria and when a predetermined condition of a user data buffer is reached, using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell; (c) upon the user data buffer reaching the predetermined condition: (1) loading dummy data into the user data buffer; and (2) analyzing a next received cell and considering the next received cell as a late arrived cell indicative of insufficient cell delay variation compensation (CDV) if it is recognized as being the cell that has just been replaced with the dummy data.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell; (b) delaying a cell handling decision of the received cell when the handling decision is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria, the delaying continuing until either of the following events occur: (1) reception of a subsequent cell; (2) an underflow condition of a user buffer; and (c) using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell upon the occurrence of either event (1) or (2) of step (b).
Claim 26
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell; (b) delaying a cell handling decision of the received cell when the handling decision is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria, the delaying continuing until either of the following events occur: (1) reception of a subsequent cell; (2) an underflow condition of a user buffer; and (c) using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell upon the occurrence of either event (1) or (2) of step (b).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the underflow condition of the user data buffer is an emptying of the user data buffer to a point that reassembly of a user signal would be unstable.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising generating dummy data while delaying a handling decision for the received cell.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising making the handling decision prompted by the underflow condition of a user data buffer by taking into account whether a cell whose acceptance decision has been delayed is present in the cell arrival buffer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising, upon making the handling decision prompted by the underflow condition of a user data buffer, making a determination regarding a cause for the user data buffer to reach the underflow condition.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising, upon making the handling decision prompted by the underflow condition of a user data buffer, making a determination regarding whether cell losses or an insufficient cell delay variation (CDV) compensation causes the user data buffer to reach the underflow condition.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 19, wherein in accordance with the cell handling second criteria a sequence number of the received cell is utilized to determine whether one of the following occurs: (1) generating dummy data; (2) discarding the received cell and generating the dummy data.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell; (b) delaying a cell handling decision of the received cell when the handling decision is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria; and (c) terminating the delaying of step (b) when a predetermined condition of a user data buffer is reached, and then using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell; wherein the delaying of step (b) continues until a subsequent cell is received.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell; (b) delaying a cell handling decision of the received cell when the handling decision is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria; and (c) terminating the delaying of step (b) when a predetermined condition of a user data buffer is reached, and then using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell; wherein the delaying of step (b) continues until a subsequent cell is received.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell; (b) delaying a cell handling decision of the received cell when the handling decision is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria; and (c) terminating the delaying of step (b) when a predetermined condition of a user data buffer is reached, and then using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell; wherein recognizing the received cell as the next expected cell involves verification that a sequence number of the received cell is in sequence with a last received cell and that a sequence number validity flag is of a predetermined value.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell; (b) delaying a cell handling decision of the received cell when the handling decision is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria; and (c) terminating the delaying of step (b) when a predetermined condition of a user data buffer is reached, and then using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell; wherein recognizing the received cell as the next expected cell involves verification that a sequence number of the received cell is in sequence with a last received cell and that a sequence number validity flag is of a predetermined value.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell; (b) delaying a cell handling decision of the received cell when the handling decision is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria; and (c) terminating the delaying of step (b) when a predetermined condition of a user data buffer is reached, and then using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell; (d) upon the user data buffer reaching the predetermined condition; (1) loading dummy data into the user data buffer; and (2) analyzing a next received cell and considering the next received cell as a late arrived cell indicative of insufficient cell delay variation (CDV) compensation if it is recognized as being the cell that has just been replaced with the dummy data.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of monitoring cell arrival in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, the method comprising: (a) using a cell handling first criteria for attempting to recognize a received cell as a next expected cell; (b) delaying a cell handling decision of the received cell when the handling decision is not feasible using the cell handling first criteria; and (c) terminating the delaying of step (b) when a predetermined condition of a user data buffer is reached, and then using a cell handling second criteria for processing the received cell; (d) upon the user data buffer reaching the predetermined condition; (1) loading dummy data into the user data buffer; and (2) analyzing a next received cell and considering the next received cell as a late arrived cell indicative of insufficient cell delay variation (CDV) compensation if it is recognized as being the cell that has just been replaced with the dummy data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
119 words
An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cell arrival monitoring system comprising: a cell arrival buffer into which incoming ATM cells are loaded; a user data buffer for containing data for reassembly of a constant bit rate signal; a controller which transfers data included in a cell in the cell arrival buffer into the user data buffer if the controller recognizes the cell in the cell arrival buffer as the next expected cell, the controller instead delaying an acceptance decision for the cell if it is not recognized as the next expected cell until either reception of a subsequent cell in the cell arrival buffer or until the acceptance decision is prompted by a predetermined condition of a user data buffer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
119 words
An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cell arrival monitoring system comprising: a cell arrival buffer into which incoming ATM cells are loaded; a user data buffer for containing data for reassembly of a constant bit rate signal; a controller which transfers data included in a cell in the cell arrival buffer into the user data buffer if the controller recognizes the cell in the cell arrival buffer as the next expected cell, the controller instead delaying an acceptance decision for the cell if it is not recognized as the next expected cell until either reception of a subsequent cell in the cell arrival buffer or until the acceptance decision is prompted by a predetermined condition of a user data buffer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 29, wherein the predetermined condition of the user data buffer is an emptying of the user data buffer to a point that reassembly of a user signal would be unstable.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 29, further comprising a dummy data generator which generates dummy data when necessary while the controller delays an acceptance decision for the cell.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 29, wherein the controller recognizes the cell as the next expected, cell by verifying that a sequence number of the received cell is in sequence with a last received cell and that a sequence number validity flag is of a predetermined value.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 29, wherein the controller makes the acceptance decision prompted by the predetermined condition of the user data buffer by taking into account whether a cell whose acceptance decision has been delayed is present in the cell arrival buffer.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 29, wherein the controller, upon making the acceptance decision prompted by the predetermined condition of a user data buffer, makes a determination regarding a cause for the user data buffer to reach the predetermined condition.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 29, wherein the controller, upon making the acceptance decision prompted by the predetermined condition of a user data buffer, makes a determination regarding whether cell losses or an insufficient cell delay variation (CDV) compensation causes the user data buffer to reach the predetermined condition.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
187 words
An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) telecommunications network comprising: a transmitter which generates a constant bit rate (CBR) signal; a first interface which inserts the constant bit rate signal into ATM cells; a second interface which receives ATM cells and generates therefrom the constant bit rate signal, the second interface including a cell arrival monitor, the cell arrival monitor comprising: a cell arrival buffer into which incoming ATM cells are loaded; a user data buffer for containing data for reassembly of a constant bit rate signal; a controller which transfers data included in a cell in the cell arrival buffer into the user data buffer if the controller recognizes the cell in the cell arrival buffer as a next expected cell, the controller instead delaying an acceptance decision for the cell if it is not recognized as the next expected cell until either reception of a subsequent cell in the cell arrival buffer or until the acceptance decision is prompted by a predetermined condition of a user data buffer; and an ATM physical layer medium which carries the ATM cells from the first interface to the second interface.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
187 words
An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) telecommunications network comprising: a transmitter which generates a constant bit rate (CBR) signal; a first interface which inserts the constant bit rate signal into ATM cells; a second interface which receives ATM cells and generates therefrom the constant bit rate signal, the second interface including a cell arrival monitor, the cell arrival monitor comprising: a cell arrival buffer into which incoming ATM cells are loaded; a user data buffer for containing data for reassembly of a constant bit rate signal; a controller which transfers data included in a cell in the cell arrival buffer into the user data buffer if the controller recognizes the cell in the cell arrival buffer as a next expected cell, the controller instead delaying an acceptance decision for the cell if it is not recognized as the next expected cell until either reception of a subsequent cell in the cell arrival buffer or until the acceptance decision is prompted by a predetermined condition of a user data buffer; and an ATM physical layer medium which carries the ATM cells from the first interface to the second interface.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
119 words
An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cell arrival monitoring system comprising: a cell arrival buffer into which incoming ATM cells are loaded; a user data buffer for containing data for reassembly of a constant bit rate signal; a controller which transfers data included in a cell in the cell arrival buffer into the user data buffer if the controller recognizes the cell in the cell arrival buffer as a next expected cell, the controller instead delaying an acceptance decision for the cell if it is not recognized as the next expected cell until either reception of a subsequent cell in the cell arrival buffer or until the acceptance decision is prompted by a predetermined condition of a user data buffer.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
119 words
An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cell arrival monitoring system comprising: a cell arrival buffer into which incoming ATM cells are loaded; a user data buffer for containing data for reassembly of a constant bit rate signal; a controller which transfers data included in a cell in the cell arrival buffer into the user data buffer if the controller recognizes the cell in the cell arrival buffer as a next expected cell, the controller instead delaying an acceptance decision for the cell if it is not recognized as the next expected cell until either reception of a subsequent cell in the cell arrival buffer or until the acceptance decision is prompted by a predetermined condition of a user data buffer.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 37, wherein the predetermined condition of the user data buffer is an emptying of the user data buffer to a point that reassembly of a user signal would be unstable.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 37, further comprising a dummy data generator which generates dummy data when necessary while the controller delays an acceptance decision for the cell.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 37, wherein the controller recognizes the cell as the next expected cell by verifying that a sequence number of the received cell is in sequence with a last received cell and that a sequence number validity flag is of a predetermined value.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 37, wherein the controller makes the acceptance decision prompted by the predetermined condition of the user data buffer by taking into account whether a cell whose acceptance decision has been delayed is present in the cell arrival buffer.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 37, wherein the controller, upon making the acceptance decision prompted by the predetermined condition of a user data buffer, makes a determination regarding a cause for the user data buffer to reach the predetermined condition.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 37, wherein the controller upon making the acceptance decision prompted by the predetermined condition of a user data buffer, makes a determination regarding whether cell losses or an insufficient cell delay variation (CDV) compensation causes the user data buffer to reach the predetermined condition.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 37, wherein the cell arrival monitor is included in an interworking unit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-13 | 2005-10-13 | 2006-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-13 | 2009-10-13 | 2010-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |