Inverse multiplexing of digital data
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorRichard Vallee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In ATM networks, digital data in ATM cells are sent to a destination node over more than one transmission link in round robin fashion. This is called inverse multiplexing. At connection start-up, the source node informs the destination node of the specific round robin fashion of the transmission links so that the ATM cells are reassembled in a proper sequential order. Inverse multiplexing control cells are used to communicate between the source node and destination node for connectivity testing of transmission links. Cell stuffing is also provided in one embodiment to accommodate non-synchronized links among transmission links. In a particular embodiment, two consecutive control cells indicate a stuffing cell. A start-up procedure is described when not all the transmission links are usable.
Claims74
A method of inverse multiplexing digital data over a connection consisting of a plurality of transmission links, said data containing a series of ATM data cells, comprising steps of:
- sending a series of inverse multiplexing control cells indicating a specific round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- receiving from the plurality of transmission links a series of inverse multiplexing control cells whose receive ready field is set;
- sending each ATM data cell in said series of ATM data cells in said specific round robin order;
- and
- further sending two consecutive inverse multiplexing control cells in a frame, indicating cell stuffing.
A method of inverse multiplexing digital data over a connection having a plurality of transmission links, the data containing a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, the method comprising:
- transmitting from a first node a series of inverse multiplexing control cells indicating a round robin order in which the ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- receiving at the first node a series of inverse multiplexing control cells whose receive ready field is set;
- transmitting from the first node the series of ATM data cells in the round robin order, the first node inserting at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information into each frame.
A method of establishing a communication link for inverse multiplexing digital data from a source node to a destination node over a connection including a plurality of transmission links, the data containing a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising:
- initiating the connection by transmitting from the source node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells containing information defining a round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- receiving at the source node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells containing information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the round robin order over the connection;
- and
- sending the series of ATM data cells in the round robin order to the destination node, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A method of inverse multiplexing digital data from a source node to a destination node over a connection including a plurality of transmission links, the data including a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising:
- initiating the connection between the source node and the destination node by transmitting from the source node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells containing information defining a round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- receiving at the source node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells containing information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the round robin order over the connection;
- and
- transmitting the series of ATM data cells to the destination node in the round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A method of inverse multiplexing digital data to be transmitted from a source node to a destination node using a plurality of communication links, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting from the source node to the destination node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information identifying a specific order in which a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames are to be transmitted over the plurality of communication links;
- transmitting from the destination node to the source node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the specific order;
- and
- transmitting from the source node to the destination node the series of ATM data cells in the specific order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A method at a source node of inverse multiplexing digital data to be transmitted from the source node to a destination node using a plurality of communication links, comprising:
- transmitting from the source node to the destination node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information identifying an order in which a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames are to be transmitted over the plurality of communication links;
- receiving at the source node transmitted from the destination node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the specified order;
- and
- transmitting from the source node to the destination node the series of ATM data cells in the specified order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A method, for use at a destination node, of receiving inverse multiplexed digital data transmitted from a source node using a plurality of communication links, comprising:
- receiving from the source node, one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information identifying an order in which a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames are to be transmitted over the plurality of communication links;
- transmitting one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the order;
- receiving the series of ATM data cells transmitted from the source node in the order;
- wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A method of inverse multiplexing digital data from a source node to a destination node over a connection including a plurality of transmission links, the data containing a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising:
- the source node sending to the destination node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells informing the destination node of a round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- the destination node sending one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the round robin order from the plurality of transmission links;
- and
- the source node sending the series of ATM data cells to the destination node in the round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A method of inverse multiplexing digital data over a connection including a plurality of transmission links, the data containing a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising:
- sending to a destination node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells indicating a specific round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- receiving from the destination node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells;
- sending the series of ATM data cells to the destination node in the specific round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contain cell stuff information.
A method of inverse multiplexing digital data over a connection including a plurality of transmission links, the data containing a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising
- receiving at a destination node from a source node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells indicating a specific round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- transmitting from the destination node to the source node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells;
- receiving the series of ATM data cells at the destination node in the specific round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A method of inverse multiplexing digital data from a first node to a second node over a connection consisting of a plurality of transmission links, the data containing a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising:
- whenever the connection is to be reconfigured, the first node sending to the second node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells containing information indicating a specific round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- receiving at the first node from the second node, one or more inverse multiplexing control cells containing information indicating that the second node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the specific round robin order from the plurality of transmission links;
- sending each ATM data cell in the series of ATM data cells from the first node to the second node in the specific round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A method of inverse multiplexing digital data from a first node to a second node over a connection consisting of a plurality of transmission links, the data containing a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising:
- whenever the connection is to be reconfigured, the second node receiving from the first node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells containing information indicating a specific round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- sending from the second node to the first node, one or more inverse multiplexing control cells containing information indicating that the second node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the specific round robin order from the plurality of transmission links;
- receiving at the second node each ATM data cell in the series of ATM data cells from the first node in the specific round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A node in an ATM communications system for inverse multiplexing digital data from a source node to a destination node over a connection including a plurality of transmission links, comprising:
- a transmitting device for transmitting from the source node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells containing information defining a round robin order in which a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames are to be transmitted over the connection;
- a receiving device for receiving at the source node, inverse multiplexing control cells containing information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the round robin order from the plurality of transmission links;
- and
- a data cell transmitting device for transmitting to the receiving node, the series of ATM data cells in the round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A node in an ATM communications system for inverse multiplexing digital data from a source node to a destination node over a connection including a plurality of transmission links, the data including a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising:
- a transmitting device that transmits from the source node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells containing information defining a round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- a receiving device for receiving at the source node, one or more inverse multiplexing control cells containing information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the round robin order from the plurality of transmission links;
- and
- a data cell transmitting device for transmitting the series of ATM data cells to the destination node in the round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A node in an ATM communications system for inverse multiplexing digital data to be transmitted from a source node to a destination node using a plurality of communication links, comprising:
- a transmitting device for transmitting from the source node to the destination node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information identifying a specific order in which a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames are to be transmitted over the plurality of communication links;
- a transmitting device for transmitting from the destination node to the source node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the specific order;
- and
- a data cell transmitting device for transmitting from the source node to the destination node the series of ATM data cells in the specific order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A node in an ATM communications system for inverse multiplexing digital data to be transmitted from a source node to a destination node using a plurality of communication links, comprising:
- a transmitting device for transmitting from the source node to the destination node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information identifying a specific order in which a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames are to be transmitted over the plurality of communication links;
- a receiving device for receiving at the source node transmitted from the destination node, one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the specific order;
- and
- a data cell transmitting device for transmitting from the source node to the destination node the series of ATM data cells in the specific order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A node in an ATM communications system for receiving inverse multiplexed digital data transmitted from a source node to the destination node using a plurality of communication links, comprising:
- a receiving device that receives at the destination node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells transmitted from the source node, wherein the inverse multiplexing control cells include information identifying a specific order in which a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames are to be transmitted over the plurality of communication links;
- a transmitting device transmitting from the destination node to the source node, one or more inverse multiplexing cells including information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the specific order;
- and
- a data cell receiving device that receives at the destination nodes the serie, of ATM data cells transmitted from the source node in the specific order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A node in an ATM communications system for inverse multiplexing digital data from a source node to a destination node over a connection including a plurality of transmission links, the data containing a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising:
- a transmitting device for sending from the source node to the destination node, at a connection start-up, one or more inverse multiplexing control cells informing the destination node of a specific round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- a transmitting device for sending one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the specific round robin order from the plurality of transmission links;
- and
- a data cell transmitting device for sending the series of ATM data cells to the destination node in the specific round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A node in an ATM communications system for inverse multiplexing digital data over a connection including a plurality of transmission links, the data containing a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising:
- a transmitting device for sending to a destination node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells indicating a specific round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- a receiving device for receiving from the destination node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells;
- and
- a data cell transmitting device for sending the series of ATM data cells to the destination node in the specific round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A node in an ATM communication system for inverse multiplexing digital data over a connection including a plurality of transmission links, the data containing a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising:
- a receiving device for receiving at a destination node from a source node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells indicating a specific round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- a transmitting device for transmitting from the destination node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells;
- and
- a data cell receiving device for receiving the series of ATM data cells at the destination node in the specific round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A node in an ATM communication system for inverse multiplexing digital data to another node over a connection consisting of a plurality of transmission links, the data containing a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising:
- a transmitting device for sending to the other node, whenever the connection is to be reconfigured, one or more inverse multiplexing control cells containing information indicating a specific round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- a receiving device for receiving from the other node, inverse multiplexing control cells containing information indicating that the other node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the specific round robin order from the plurality of transmission links;
- and
- a data cell transmitting device for sending each ATM data cell in the series of ATM data cells to the other node in the specific round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A node in an ATM communication system for inverse multiplexing digital data to another node over a connection consisting of a plurality of transmission links, the data containing a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising:
- a receiving device for receiving at the other node, whenever the connection is to be reconfigured, one or more cells containing information indicating a specific round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- a transmitting device for sending from the other node, inverse multiplexing control cells containing information indicating that the other node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the specific round robin order from the plurality of transmission links;
- and
- a receiving device for receiving at the other node each ATM data cell in the series of ATM data cells in the specific round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A node in an ATM communications system for inverse multiplexing digital data to be transmitted from a source node to a destination node using a plurality of communication links, comprising:
- means for transmitting from the source node to the destination node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells including information identifying a specific order in which a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames are to be transmitted over the plurality of communication links;
- means for transmitting from the destination node to the source node one or more inverse multiplexing control cells that include information indicating that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the specific order;
- means for transmitting from the source node to the destination node the series of ATM data cells in the specific order;
- wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A system for inverse multiplexing digital data from one node to another node over a connection, the data containing a series of ATM data cells that is segmented into a plurality of frames, the system comprising:
- a plurality of transmission links in communication with the one node;
- a transmitting device for transmitting from the one node one or more cells containing information defining a round robin order in which a series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- a receiving device for receiving at the one node cells containing information indicating that the another node is ready to receive ATM data cells in the round robin order from the plurality of transmission links and
- a data cell transmitting device for transmitting from the one node to the another node, the series of ATM data cells, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
A method of inverse multiplexing digital data from a source node to a destination node over a connection consisting of a plurality of transmission links, said data containing a series of ATM data cells that are segmented into a plurality of frames, comprising steps of:
- sending, at a connection start-up, from the source node to the destination node, inverse multiplexing control cells informing the latter of a specific round robin order in which the series of ATM data cells are to be transmitted over the connection;
- the destination node sending inverse multiplexing control cells whose receive ready field is set to indicate that the destination node is ready to receive ATM data cells in said specific round robin order from the plurality of transmission links;
- and
- the source node sending each ATM data cell in said series of ATM data cells that are arranged into a plurality of frames, to the destination node in said specific round robin order, wherein each frame includes at least one inverse multiplexing control cell that contains cell stuff information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.