U.S. patent application number 15/249419 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-23 for method and corresponding device for improved bandwidth utilization.
The applicant listed for this patent is GO NET SYSTEMS LTD.. Invention is credited to Yaron Menahem Peleg.
Application Number | 20170085476 15/249419 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37448241 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170085476 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peleg; Yaron Menahem |
March 23, 2017 |
METHOD AND CORRESPONDING DEVICE FOR IMPROVED BANDWIDTH
UTILIZATION
Abstract
Method and corresponding device for improved bandwidth
utilization featuring optimized transmission of information packets
on a backhaul connection, by concatenating a few VoIP packets into
a big packet with optional internal header compression. The
concatenated packets are transmitted efficiently through the
backhaul channel and rearranged at the receiving side. In an
embodiment of the present invention, compression is applied to the
concatenated packets featuring the most waste.
Inventors: |
Peleg; Yaron Menahem; (Tel
Aviv, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GO NET SYSTEMS LTD. |
Tel Aviv |
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IL |
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|
Family ID: |
37448241 |
Appl. No.: |
15/249419 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14138070 |
Dec 22, 2013 |
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15249419 |
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11436565 |
May 19, 2006 |
8619816 |
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14138070 |
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60682819 |
May 20, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 7/0075 20130101;
H04L 43/087 20130101; H04L 45/74 20130101; H04W 28/06 20130101;
H04L 43/0829 20130101; H04W 92/20 20130101; H04L 69/22
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/741 20060101
H04L012/741; H04L 12/26 20060101 H04L012/26 |
Claims
1. A method for transmitting data packets within an asynchronous
packet-based communication network, said method comprising: (a)
receiving two or more data packets at a communication node within
the asynchronous packet-based communication network; (b)
concatenating the two or more data packets into one superpacket;
(c) transmitting, within the asynchronous network, the super-packet
to a destination.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said concatenating and
said transmitting are performed in consideration of parameters
relating to the asynchronous network and parameters of the two or
more packets.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said concatenating and
said transmitting are performed in consideration of current values
of dynamic parameters relating to the asynchronous network and
parameters of the two or more packets.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of deciding
whether to concatenate a given received packet or transmit the
given received packet without concatenation.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the performance of a user that
transmitted the given packet is an input parameter to the step of
deciding whether to concatenate the given received packet.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein measuring the performance of the
user comprises calculating the received jitter and packet loss.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting is dependent on
a transmission condition comprising at least one of the following:
a maximum size of said super-packet, a maximum delay for said
super-packet, or a maximum number of users.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the asynchronous
network is a wireless network and said transmitting consists of
wirelessly transmitting.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication node
is a backhaul communication node and said transmitting is to a
backhaul destination.
10. A network appliance for transmitting data packets within an
asynchronous packet-based communication network, said appliance
comprising: (a) receiving circuitry adapted to receive two or more
data packets; (b) concatenating circuitry adapted to concatenate
the two or more data packets into one superpacket; (c) transmission
circuitry adapted to transmit, within the asynchronous network, the
super-packet to a destination.
11. The appliance according to claim 10, wherein said concatenating
circuitry and said transmission circuitry are further adapted to
perform the concatenation and the transmission, respectively, in
consideration of parameters relating to the asynchronous network
and parameters of the two or more packets.
12. The appliance according to claim 10, further comprising
processing circuitry including decision logic adapted to decide
whether to concatenate a given received packet or transmit the
given received packet without concatenation.
13. The appliance according to claim 11, wherein the parameters of
the two or more packets includes: traffic type, sensitivity to
delay, or Quality of Service (QoS).
14. The appliance according to claim 10, wherein said transmission
circuitry is further adapted to transmit the superpacket within the
asynchronous network dependent on a transmission condition
comprising at least one of the following: a maximum size of said
super-packet, a maximum delay for said super-packet, or a maximum
number of users.
15. The appliance according to claim 10, wherein the asynchronous
network is a wireless network and said transmission circuitry is
further adapted to wirelessly transmit the superpacket within the
asynchronous wireless network.
16. The appliance according to claim 10, wherein said transmission
circuitry is further adapted to transmit the superpacket within the
asynchronous network dependent on a transmission condition, which
transmission condition comprises a maximum delay condition and
wherein the maximum delay condition is calculated according to at
least one of the following: a network performance, a measured
jitter, a measured delay, a measured packet loss, a users priority,
a type of application running, a transmission rate, a number of
retransmissions, hidden stations, or collisions.
17. The appliance according to claim 10, wherein said network
appliance is a backhaul communication node and said transmission
circuitry is adapted to transmit the superpacket to a backhaul
destination.
18. A system for facilitating network communications within an
asynchronous packet-based communication network, said system
comprising: (a) receiving circuitry adapted to receive two or more
data packets; (b) a concatenating device including circuitry
adapted to concatenate the two or more data packets into one
superpacket; (c) transmission circuitry adapted to transmit, within
the asynchronous network, the super-packet to a destination.
wherein said concatenating device is external to said receiving and
transmission circuitry.
19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said concatenating
device and said transmission circuitry are further adapted to
perform the concatenation and the transmission, respectively, in
consideration of parameters relating to the asynchronous network
and parameters of the two or more packets.
20. The system according to claim 18, wherein said concatenating
device and said transmission circuitry are further adapted to
perform the concatenation and the transmission, respectively, in
consideration of current values of dynamic parameters relating to
the asynchronous network and parameters of the two or more
packets.
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. (canceled)
28. (canceled)
29. (canceled)
30. (canceled)
Description
PRIORITY CLAIMS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/138,070, entitled "METHOD AND CORRESPONDING
DEVICE FOR IMPROVED BANDWIDTH UTILIZATION", filed in the USPTO on
Dec. 22, 2013, by the inventor of the present application;
[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/138,070, claims, in
turn, priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/436,565,
entitled "METHOD AND CORRESPONDING DEVICE FOR IMPROVED BANDWIDTH
UTILIZATION", filed in the USPTO on May 19, 2006, by the inventor
of the present application;
[0003] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/436,565, claims, in
turn, priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/682,819, entitled "METHOD AND CORRESPONDING DEVICE FOR IMPROVED
BANDWIDTH UTILIZATION", filed in the USPTO on May 20, 2005, by the
inventor of the present application;
[0004] all of the aforementioned applications are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to communication networks, and
more particularly, to a method and corresponding device for
improved bandwidth utilization featuring optimized transmission of
information packets on a backhaul connection, by concatenating a
few VoIP packets into a unified packet with optional internal
header compression. The concatenated packets are transmitted
efficiently through the backhaul channel and rearranged at the
receiving side. In an embodiment option of the present invention,
compression is applied to the concatenated packets featuring the
most waste.
[0006] To date, the inventor is unaware of prior art teaching a
method and corresponding device for concatenating packets featuring
a time limit.
[0007] There is thus a need for, and it would be highly
advantageous to have a method and corresponding device for improved
bandwidth utilization featuring optimized transmission of
information packets on a backhaul connection by concatenating a few
VoIP packets into a super packet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to communication networks, and
more particularly, to a method and corresponding device for
improved bandwidth utilization featuring optimized transmission of
information packets on a backhaul connection, by concatenating a
few VoIP packets into a big packet with optional internal header
compression. The concatenated packets are transmitted efficiently
through the backhaul channel and rearranged at the receiving side.
In an embodiment option of the present invention, compression is
applied to the concatenated packets featuring the most waste.
[0009] Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided
a method for backhaul connection including: (a) setting the
backhaul connection between a backhaul source and a backhaul
destination, (b) receiving a packet or frame at the backhaul
source, (c) adding the received packet to an available
super-packet; if there is no available super-packet, creating a new
super-packet and setting a transmission condition for transmitting
the super-packet, (d) transmitting the super-packet according to
the transmission condition, and (e) receiving and handling the
super-packet at the backhaul destination.
[0010] According to further features in preferred embodiments of
the present invention, the method further includes the step of
deciding whether to concatenate the received packet or transmit the
received packet without concatenation.
[0011] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the performance of a user that transmitted
the packet is an input parameter to the step of deciding whether to
concatenate the received packet.
[0012] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the performance of the user includes
identifying streaming packets and identifying the frequency at
which the user should transmit his packets.
[0013] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the performance of the user includes
calculating the received jitter and packet loss.
[0014] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the multiple super-packets are prepared by
the backhaul source in parallel.
[0015] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the received packet is added to the
super-packet according to at least one of the following parameters:
traffic type, sensitivity to delay, or QoS.
[0016] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the transmission condition includes at least
one of the following: maximum size of the super-packet, maximum
delay for the super-packet, or maximum number of users.
[0017] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the transmission condition includes a
maximum delay condition.
[0018] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the maximum delay condition starts when a
new packet is received at the backhaul source.
[0019] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the maximum delay condition is calculated
according to a need of a delay-sensitive application.
[0020] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the transmission condition includes a
maximum delay condition for the transmission of the super-packet
and the maximum delay condition is calculated according to at least
one of the following: network performance, measured jitter,
measured delay, measured packet loss, user's priority, type of
application running, transmission rate, number of retransmissions,
hidden stations, or collisions.
[0021] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the transmission condition includes a
maximum delay condition for the transmission of the super-packet
and the maximum delay condition is calculated according to at least
one of the following: the measured performance of a link,
transmissions rate, number of retransmission, RSSI, or average
packet loss.
[0022] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the method further includes forwarding the
received packet to an external device, whereby the external device
adds the received packet to the available super-packet or creates
the new super-packet.
[0023] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the at least two of the received packets are
transmitted by streaming users, and the streaming users are
synchronized.
[0024] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the method further includes reordering the
packets in the super-packet.
[0025] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the super-packet is compressed.
[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method for backhaul connection including: (a)
receiving a packet or frame at a backhaul source for a required
backhaul destination, (b) adding the received packet to an
available super-packet for the required backhaul destination; if
there is no available super-packet for the required backhaul
destination, creating a new super-packet and setting a transmission
condition for transmitting the super-packet, (c) transmitting the
super-packet according to the transmission condition, and, (d)
receiving and handling the super-packet at the backhaul
destination.
[0027] According to further features in preferred embodiments of
the present invention, the method further includes checking if the
required destination can receive and handle super-packets.
[0028] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the method further includes calculating if
it is beneficial to concatenate the received packet.
[0029] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the multiple super-packets are prepared in
parallel.
[0030] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the received packet is added to the
super-packet according to at least one of the following parameters:
traffic type, sensitivity to delay, or QoS.
[0031] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the method further includes forwarding the
received packet to an external device, and the external device adds
the received packet to the available super-packet or creates the
new super-packet.
[0032] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the at least two of the received packets are
transmitted by streaming users, and the streaming users are
synchronized.
[0033] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the transmission conditions includes a
maximum delay condition.
[0034] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, counting the maximum delay condition starts
when a new packet is received at the backhaul source.
[0035] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the maximum delay condition is calculated
according to a need of a delay-sensitive application.
[0036] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the transmission conditions include a
maximum delay condition for the transmission of the super-packet
and the maximum delay condition is calculated according to at least
one of the following: network performance, measured jitter,
measured delay, measured packet loss, user's priority, type of
application running, transmission rate, number of retransmissions,
hidden stations, or collisions.
[0037] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the transmission conditions include a
maximum delay condition for the transmission of the super-packet
and the maximum delay condition is calculated according to at least
one of the following: the measured performance of a link,
transmissions rate, number of retransmission, RSSI, or average
packet loss.
[0038] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a tunneling device for a backhaul connection including:
(a) input and output for receiving and transmitting packets, (b)
packet concatenation device, and (c) transmission decision logic,
whereby the transmission decision logic determines when a
super-packet is to be transmitted.
[0039] According to further features in preferred embodiments of
the present invention, the transmission decision logic includes a
counter.
[0040] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the packet concatenation device further
includes a packet analyzer.
[0041] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the device further includes a user
synchronization device.
[0042] According to still further features in the described
preferred embodiments, the device further includes a user type
identifier.
[0043] Implementation of the method and corresponding device for
improved bandwidth utilization of the present invention involves
performing or completing selected tasks or steps manually,
semi-automatically, fully automatically, and/or, a combination
thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and/or
equipment used for implementing a particular preferred embodiment
of the disclosed method and corresponding device, several selected
steps of the present invention could be performed by hardware, by
software on any operating system of any firmware, or a combination
thereof. In particular, regarding hardware, selected steps of the
invention could be performed by a computerized network, a computer,
a computer chip, an electronic circuit, hard-wired circuitry, or a
combination thereof, involving a plurality of digital and/or
analog, electrical and/or electronic, components, operations, and
protocols. Additionally, or alternatively, regarding software,
selected steps of the invention could be performed by a data
processor, such as a computing platform, executing a plurality of
computer program types of software instructions or protocols using
any suitable computer operating system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] The present invention is herein described, by way of example
only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific
reference now to the drawings, it is stressed that the particulars
shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative
discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention
only, and are presented in order to providing what is believed to
be the most useful and readily understood description of the
principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this
regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the
present invention in more detail than is necessary for a
fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken
with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how
the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.
Identical structures, elements or parts which appear in more than
one figure are preferably labeled with a same or similar number in
all the figures in which they appear. In the drawings:
[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary
preferred embodiment of the tunneling system, in accordance with
the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another exemplary
preferred embodiment of the tunneling system, in accordance with
the present invention;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] The present invention relates to communication networks, and
more particularly, to a method and corresponding device for
improved bandwidth utilization featuring optimized transmission of
information packets on a backhaul connection, by concatenating a
few VoIP packets into a big packet with optional internal header
compression. The concatenated packets are transmitted efficiently
through the backhaul channel and rearranged at the receiving side.
In an embodiment option of the present invention, compression is
applied to the concatenated packets featuring the most waste.
[0048] The present invention is a method and corresponding device
for improved bandwidth utilization. The preferred embodiments of
the present invention are discussed in detail below. It is to be
understood that the present invention is not limited in its
application to the details of the order or sequence of steps of
operation or implementation of the method set forth in the
following description, drawings, or examples. While specific steps,
configurations and arrangements are discussed, it is to be
understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A
person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other steps,
configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0049] Each primary step, and additional steps, needed for enabling
the use of this method and corresponding device for improved
bandwidth utilization are described in the following detailed
description.
[0050] Wireless communication systems handle different sized
information packets transmitted at different frequency transmission
rates. While the size, type, structure, and frequency of
transmissions may vary on the wireless communication system, the
number of separate transmissions, especially on a non-synchronized
wireless network, affects the performance significantly. Moreover,
for small-sized data packets that are frequently used by streaming
applications, the transmitted frame length is disproportionally
large compared to the data size, thereby occupying a larger than
normal amount of bandwidth.
[0051] By implementing the following novel method, the present
invention concatenates a plurality of packets/frames into a
super-packet/super-frame, and thereby significantly improves
bandwidth utilization.
[0052] Setting a backhaul connection.
[0053] Exemplary types of backhaul connections that may be used
with the present invention are automatic backhaul connections,
manual backhaul connections, backhaul connections according to the
link (PTP/PTMP), mesh type backhaul connections, and backhaul
connection aggregations, optionally by learning the network
dynamically.
[0054] Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the
backhaul connection may be implemented between the following
network elements: access points, base stations, switches, routers,
tunneling devices and other appropriate elements.
[0055] It is to be understood that the backhaul connection of the
present invention may be set over Open System Interconnection (OSI)
layer 2 or over OSI layer 3, without limiting the scope of the
present invention. In the case where the backhaul connection is set
over OSI layer 2, super-frames are transmitted. In the case where
the backhaul connection is set over OSI layer 3, super-packets are
transmitted. For the sake of simplicity, most of the description of
the present invention is phrased in terms of packets, but it is to
be understood that all steps are applicable to frames as well. One
should take into account the equivalence between packets and frames
when interpreting the scope of the present invention.
[0056] Moreover, a system in accordance with the present invention
can operate, simultaneously, backhaul connections over OSI layer 2
and backhaul connections over OSI layer 3, depending on the tunnel,
type of equipment, and the devices on both sides of the
connections.
[0057] Receiving a packet at a backhaul source.
[0058] The packet is received as known in the art.
[0059] Optionally, decide whether to concatenate the received
packet.
[0060] All, some or none of the received packets may be tunneled.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the performance of the
user sending the packets is measured and/or estimated.
[0061] Optionally, the users performance is one of the input
parameters to the algorithm deciding whether and how to build a
super-packet (or, equivalently, a super-frame). According to the
performance of the specific users, the tunneling device decides
when to transmit a super-packet, in order to keep the total
performance above a minimum required performance level. For
example, if the measured performance of the user is below a
threshold, no concatenation is to be performed. The performance of
the users sending the packets may be measured by using one or more
of the following exemplary methods:
[0062] (a) A tunneling device identifies streaming packets and
identifies the frequency at which a station should transmit its
packets, for example every 20 mili-seconds. Alternatively, the
tunneling device identifies streaming packets and extracts the
required information from within the packets.
[0063] (b) Measuring the time stamp of each frame from each user.
From the measured time, the received jitter and packet loss are
calculated.
[0064] (c) The packet loss of a user is calculated by one or more
of the following methods: (1) reading the time stamp and sequence
number from the Real Time Protocol (RTP). When the received packets
numbers are not consecutive, it is an indication that there was a
packet loss. (2) Using statistical calculations, for example
deviation from a packet each 20 mili second. In this case it is
important to be aware of the possible existence of a Voice Activity
Detection (VAD) mechanism. (3) Using Real Time Control Protocol
(RTCP) information.
[0065] In the case of a non point-to-point backhaul connection, the
header and packet payload are analyzed in order to check: (a) If
there is a backhaul destination that can receive and handle a super
packet. (b) Optionally, check if it is beneficial to concatenate
the packet.
[0066] In the case where there is a backhaul destination that can
receive and handle a super packet, the network topology is learned.
Similarly to a switch or a router, the tunneling device learns the
destinations which are associated with the destination
point-to-multi-point link. As a result, the relevant destinations
may be used for concatenation. According to the packet type, the
packet size, and link characteristics, the concatenation algorithm
decides whether or not to perform concatenation.
[0067] Alternatively, in the case of a point-to-point (PTP)
backhaul connection, the packet type, packet size, number of active
destinations, QoS, and performance, are analyzed in order to decide
whether to concatenate the packet or not. It is to be noted that it
is possible for the tunneling device/algorithm to decide to
concatenate only some of the packets. For example, the device may
decide to concatenate only streaming packets, such as VoIP, and not
concatenate other types of packets).
[0068] Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the following
exemplary packet parameters may be analyzed: user profile, required
QoS, application type, source properties, packet destination,
and/or user performance.
[0069] It is to be understood that the backhaul may be only to one
direction, and may be encrypted.
[0070] Adding the received packet to an available or new
super-packet.
[0071] If there is an available super-packet to the required
destination, add the received packet. If there is no available
super packet, create a new super packet. Note that for a
point-to-point connection there is only a need to check whether
there is an available super-packet.
[0072] When creating a new super-packet, setting a transmission
condition for transmitting the super-packet.
[0073] Optionally, the transmission condition is a maximum delay.
Optionally, the maximum allowed delay calculation receives at least
one of the following inputs: the measured performance of the link,
transmissions rate, number of retransmission, RSSI, and average
packet loss.
[0074] In an alternative embodiment, multiple super-packets are
prepared in parallel, optionally according to at least one of the
following parameters: traffic type, sensitivity to delay, and
QoS.
[0075] Preparing multiple super-packets in parallel features the
following benefits: as the super-packet is longer, the bandwidth
usage is improved, but at the expense of increasing the delay; It
is to be noted that delay sensitive traffic, such as VoIP, cannot
be delayed for long, but video and one directional VoIP can be
delayed and therefore may have a longer packet.
[0076] There may be applications where the packets are
divided/duplicated between at least two super packets.
[0077] Alternatively, more than one backhaul connection is created
to more than one destination. The backhaul connection may have the
following exemplary architectures:
[0078] (a) Mesh architecture that provides dynamic, automatic, and
easy system installation. Mesh architecture features high wireless
backhaul and fault tolerance, i.e. if a link falls, it is possible
to use another link. For example, a connection may be created
between any two APs in mesh architecture, so that if the link
between AP1 and AP2 falls, it is possible for AP1 to communicate
with AP2 through AP3.
[0079] (b) Star architecture between APs featuring wireless inputs
and outputs and an AP that has an Ethernet connection.
[0080] If an appropriate super-packet is already available, the
packet is added to the appropriate super-packet.
[0081] Usually, it is not important to where in the super-packet
the packet is added, because the entire super-packet gets CRC and
decoded.
[0082] Optionally, not all packets are transmitted. Alternatively,
the packets are reordered in the super-packet.
[0083] The super-packet may be compressed or not compressed.
Moreover, specific packets inside the super-packet may be
compressed. Optionally, different compressions are used, such as
different types of header compressions, payload compression,
etc.
[0084] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
following parameters are the main parameters relevant for building
super-packets: maximum size of a super-packet; Maximum delay
allowed for a super-packet; Maximum number of users. For example,
no more than 10 users per super-packet; And method of transmitting
the super-packet. The concatenation algorithm may take into account
one or more of the following parameters: rate, retransmission, QoS,
and the ability to assign different priorities to different
super-packets.
[0085] Transmitting the super-packet before or when its
transmission condition is fulfilled.
[0086] The time to transmit the super-packet may be set dynamically
based on the following parameters: network performance; measured
jitter; measured delay; measured packet loss; user's priority; type
of application running; transmission rate; number of
retransmissions; hidden stations; and collisions.
[0087] The super-packet may be transmitted earlier than planned due
to various reasons, such as measured performance, performance of a
specific user, and a decision to give up the concatenation and
transmit the packet as it is.
[0088] The super-packet transmission may be canceled, for example,
due to a transmission failure.
[0089] The concatenation may be performed using an external
device.
[0090] FIG. 1 illustrates external tunneling devices 120 connected
in parallel with AP 102 and AP 103. FIG. 2 illustrates external
tunneling device 122 serially connected to AP 102 and AP 103. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, serially connected external tunneling device
122 that performs the tunneling is placed on the Ethernet side.
[0091] In the case where the receiving sides of AP 102 and AP 103
are not connected to an Ethernet, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the APs
are unable to create or open super-packets. Therefore, in order to
create a super-packet, the AP transmits the packets through its
Ethernet output to tunneling device 120, and tunneling device 120
creates the super-packet and sends the super-packet back to the AP,
which transmits the super-packet to its client. On the uplink
channel, the packets from the stations are directed to tunneling
device 120 and not to the appropriate AP. Therefore tunneling
device 120 acts as the default router, concatenates the packets and
transmits the super-packet through the AP. Opening a super-packet
is similarly performed by tunneling device 120.
[0092] The backhaul destination receives and opens the
super-packet.
[0093] The backhaul destination may open the super-packet by itself
or by using external equipment.
[0094] Optionally, synchronizing streaming users that transmit to
the tunneling device.
[0095] Streaming users, such as VoIP and video over IP, transmit
with constant delay. As the various users are more synchronized,
the delay decreases and the wireless network performance is
improved. The users may be synchronized by using a variety of
methods, and/or by any appropriate mechanism, without limiting the
scope of the present invention. For example, a proprietary
synchronization mechanism that sends synchronization signals to all
users may be used; or the tunneling device may transmit
synchronization signals to the appropriate users; or a central
network manager may synchronize the various users. The
synchronization signal causes the packets to arrive at the
tunneling device approximately at the same time.
[0096] Synchronizing the creation time of a super-packet with the
time of arrival of the packets to be concatenated.
[0097] In order to achieve as little delay as possible, the delay
calculation begins when a new packet is received at the tunneling
device and not when the handling of the previous super-packet is
completed. Alternatively, the delay is calculated according to the
needs of a delay-sensitive application. For example, a radio packet
that arrives first at the tunneling device may not start the delay
counter. It is to be noted that it may be possible for the same
station to run several applications while the tunneling device may
be concerned only with the most delay-sensitive applications.
[0098] As previously mentioned, it is to be understood that the
backhaul connection of the present invention may be set over Open
System Interconnection (OSI) layer 2 or over OSI layer 3, without
limiting the scope of the present invention. In the case where the
backhaul connection is set over OSI layer 2, super-frames are
transmitted. In the case where the backhaul connection is set over
OSI layer 3, super-packets are transmitted. For the sake of
simplicity, most of the description of the present invention is
phrased in terms of packets, but it is to be understood that all
steps are applicable to frames as well. One should take into
account the equivalence between packets and frames when
interpreting the scope of the present invention.
[0099] The method of the present invention may be implemented by
using any appropriate tunneling device.
[0100] For example, a tunneling device for a backhaul connection
includes: (a) input and output for receiving and transmitting
packets, (b) a packet concatenation device, and (c) transmission
decision logic, for determining when a super-packet is to be
transmitted. The tunneling device for a backhaul connection may
further include the following optional elements: (a) a counter in
the transmission decision logic. (b) a packet analyzer in the
packet concatenation device. (c) user synchronization device in the
tunneling device. (d) a user type identifier in the tunneling
device.
* * * * *