Methods and systems for optimizing data transmission in networks

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting step further comprises: varying a dither time as a function of the flow rate; and determining the frequency that maximizes the flow rate as the selected frequency.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining step further comprises: determining a distance between the first router and the second router; determining a time required for the data to travel between the first router and the second router; and determining an arrival time based on the time required.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 , wherein the arrival time is calculated using a location positioning receiver.

Claim 8

The method of claim 5 , wherein the first source of data and the second source of data have different input paths to the routing element.

Claim 9

The method of claim 5 , wherein the first source of data and the second source of data comprise different groups of data that exhibit a low correlation characteristic to each other.

Claim 10

The method of claim 5 , wherein the first source of data and the second source of data comprise different groups of data that are independent and uncorrelated to each other.

Claim 11

The method of claim 5 , wherein the generating step further comprises generating the periodic signal at a pre-selected frequency.

Claim 12

The method of claim 9 , wherein the pre-selected frequency is a frequency that maximizes flow rate.

Claim 13

The method of claim 5 , wherein the anticipated arrival time is based on distance to the next routing element.

Claim 14

The method of claim 5 , wherein the anticipated arrival time is based on travel time for data on communication link structure between the routing element and the next routing element.

Claim 15

A routing element for transmitting data within a network, comprising: a dither signal generator for generating a timing signal for alternating between a plurality of data sources at a frequency selected for maximizing a flow rate of data transmission from the routing element to a next routing element within the network; an admission control device responsive to the timing signal and for transmitting the data from the data sources; and a distance measuring device for determining a distance the data must travel to the next routing element within the network and an arrival time of the data at the next routing element based on the distance, the distance and the arrival time being provided to the dither signal generator for use when placing the next routing element in an open state based upon the arrival time of the data.

Claim 16

A routing element for transmitting data within a network, comprising: a dither signal generator for generating a timing signal for alternating between a plurality of data sources at a frequency selected for maximizing a flow rate of data transmission from the routing element to a next routing element within the network; an admission control device responsive to the timing signal and for transmitting the data from the data sources; and a distance measuring device for determining a distance the data must travel to the next routing element within the network and an arrival time of the data at the next routing element based on the distance, the distance and the arrival time being provided to the dither signal generator for use when placing the next routing element in an open state based upon the arrival time of the data.

Claim 17

The routing element of claim 13 , wherein the admission control device is capable of transmitting the data that further comprises a first packet from one of the data sources and a second, uncorrelated packet from another of the data sources, the second packet being transmitted over the same path as the first packet and being offset in time from the first packet.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the distance measuring device is a location positioning receiver.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the location positioning receiver is an global positioning system.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of data sources comprise different input paths to the routing element.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of data sources comprise different groups of data that exhibit a low correlation characteristic to each other.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of data sources comprise different groups of data that are independent and uncorrelated to each other.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the timing signal is periodic.

Claim 24

A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for transmitting data through a routing element within a network comprising the steps of: generating a periodic dither signal to regulate the transmission of data through the routing element; alternatively transmitting from a first source of data and from a second source of data in response to the periodic dither signal; and placing a next routing element in an open state based upon an anticipated arrival time for transmitted data from the first source.

Claim 25

A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for transmitting data through a routing element within a network comprising the steps of: generating a periodic dither signal to regulate the transmission of data through the routing element; alternatively transmitting from a first source of data and from a second source of data in response to the periodic dither signal; and placing a next routing element in an open state based upon an anticipated arrival time for transmitted data from the first source.

Claim 26

The computer-readable medium of claim 21 , wherein the first source of data and the second source of data have different input paths to the routing element.

Claim 27

The computer-readable medium of claim 21 , wherein the first source of data and the second source of data comprise different groups of data that exhibit a low correlation characteristic to each other.

Claim 28

The computer-readable medium of claim 21 , wherein the first source of data and the second source of data comprise different groups of data that are independent and uncorrelated to each other.

Claim 29

The computer-readable medium of claim 21 , wherein the generating step further comprises generating the periodic signal at a pre-selected frequency.

Claim 30

The computer-readable medium of claim 25 , wherein the pre-selected frequency is a frequency that maximizes flow rate.

Claim 31

The computer-readable medium of claim 21 , wherein the anticipated arrival time is based on distance to the next routing element.

Claim 32

The computer-readable medium of claim 21 , wherein the anticipated arrival time is based on travel time for data on communication link structure between the routing element and the next routing element.