Upstream bandwidth estimation
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsRay Chang, Luan Dang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A technique for estimating the upstream bandwidth for a modem is provided. Various-sized packets are sent on roundtrip journeys through the modem. The roundtrip times for the various-sized packets are compared to provide an estimate of the modem's upstream bandwidth. Alternatively, a block file may be transmitted through the modem to a TFTP server. The TFTP server reports the time needed to complete the file transfer. Based upon the block file transmission start time and the completion time, an upstream bandwidth estimate may be performed. Given the upstream bandwidth estimation, non-VoIP upstream data traffic may be limited accordingly to provide a desired QoS to VoIP calls being supported by the modem.
Claims26
A VoIP-integrated router operable to interface with analog telephones and digital devices, wherein the VoIP-integrated router is configured to perform a method of estimating the upstream bandwidth of a modem, comprising:
- transmitting various-sized packets from the VoIP-integrated router through an upstream path for the modem to a node, the node being configured to re-transmit the various-sized packets through a downstream path for the modem to the VoIP-integrated router such that each packet makes a roundtrip through the modem;
- determining the roundtrip times for the various-sized packets;
- and
- based upon a comparison of the roundtrip times, estimating the upstream bandwidth of the modem.
A router operable to examine the priority of data packets before routing the data packets, wherein a first set of data packets being routed are assigned a priority that is greater than a maximum priority given to a second set of data packets being routed, and wherein the router is configured to perform a method of estimating the upstream bandwidth of a modem, the method including the acts of:
- transmitting various-sized packets from the router through an upstream path for the modem to a node, the node being configured to re-transmit the various-sized packets through a downstream path for the modem to the router such that each packet makes a roundtrip through the modem;
- determining the roundtrip times for the various-sized packets;
- based upon a comparison of the roundtrip times, estimating the upstream bandwidth of the modem;
- and
- limiting a transmission of the second set of data packets through the upstream path for the modem based upon the upstream bandwidth estimation.
A VoIP telephone, wherein the VoIP telephone is configured to perform a method of estimating the upstream bandwidth of a modem, comprising:
- transmitting various-sized packets from the VoIP telephone through an upstream path for the modem to a node, the node being configured to re-transmit the various-sized packets through a downstream path for the modem to the VoIP telephone such that each packet makes a roundtrip through the modem;
- determining the roundtrip times for the various-sized packets;
- and
- based upon a comparison of the roundtrip times, estimating the upstream bandwidth of the modem.
A VoIP-integrated router operable to interface with analog telephones and digital devices, comprising:
- a state machine configured to transmit various-sized packets through an upstream path for a modem to a node, the node being configured to re-transmit the various-sized packets through a downstream path for the modem to the VoIP-integrated router such that each packet makes a roundtrip through the modem;
- the state machine being further configured to determine the roundtrip times for the various-sized packets and to estimate the upstream bandwidth of the modem based upon a comparison of the roundtrip times.
A VoIP-integrated router operable to interface with analog telephones and digital devices, wherein the VoIP-integrated router is configured to perform a method of estimating the upstream bandwidth of a modem, comprising:
- transmitting a block file from the VoIP-integrated router through an upstream path for the modem to a TFTP server, the TFTP server being configured to measure a completion time for the transmission of the block file, the VoIP-integrated router being configured to measure a start time for the transmission of the block file;
- determining a total transmission time for the transmission of the block file based upon the measured start time and the completion time;
- based upon a comparison of the total transmission time and a size of the block file, estimating the upstream bandwidth of the modem.
A VoIP telephone, wherein the VoIP telephone is configured to perform a method of estimating the upstream bandwidth of a modem, comprising:
- transmitting a block file from the VoIP telephone through an upstream path for the modem to a TFTP server, the TFTP server being configured to measure a completion time for the transmission of the block file, the VoIP telephone being configured to measure a start time for the transmission of the block file;
- determining a total transmission time for the transmission of the block file based upon the measured start time and the completion time;
- based upon a comparison of the total transmission time and a size of the block file, estimating the upstream bandwidth of the modem.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.