Methods and apparatus for providing quality-of-service guarantees in computer networks

An arbitration mechanism provides quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive signals sharing a local area computer network with non-time-sensitive traffic. Device adapters are placed at all access points to an Ethernet network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing o...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors PALMER DOUGLAS A, SCHADE BART, FELLMAN RONALD D, CRUZ RENE L
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 06.11.2012
Subjects
ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
ELECTRICITY
MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION
TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHICCOMMUNICATION
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Summary:An arbitration mechanism provides quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive signals sharing a local area computer network with non-time-sensitive traffic. Device adapters are placed at all access points to an Ethernet network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing of all packets entering the network. By doing so, collisions are eliminated for timesensitive traffic, thereby guaranteeing timely delivery. A common time reference is established for the device adapters. The time reference includes a frame with a plurality of phases. Each of the phases is assigned to a device adapter. Each device adapter is allowed to transmit packets of data onto the network only during the phase assigned thereto. The length of the phases may be modified in accordance with the number of packets to be transmitted by a particular device adapter. A master device adapter may be appointed to synchronize each of the device adapters.
Bibliography:Application Number: US20080127250