Data flow control

Abstract

There is disclosed a method and controller for controlling an information flow in a data transmission system. In one embodiment, the method and controller receives a plurality of data packets. The method and controller further generate a modified information flow by providing a variable spacing between the data packets that is exponentially distributed. The variable spacing between the data packets may be random or pseudo-random.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of controlling an information flow in a data transmission system, comprising: 
 receiving a plurality of data packets; and    generating a modified information flow by providing a variable spacing between the data packets that is exponentially distributed.    
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 receiving the modified information flow; and    generating a further modified information flow by providing a further variable spacing between the data packets thereof.    
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising generating a plurality of modified information flows and multiplexing the modified information flows.  
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising determining a configured packet length for the data packets based on a configured service rate thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the data packets are selectively admitted to a queue based on a length of the queue.  
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 5  wherein a level of service is associated with each data packet in the queue.  
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising allocating a priority level to each data packet.  
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7  wherein the priority level is a function of a class of loss for the data packet and a class of urgency of service for the data packet.  
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 7  wherein the data packets are serviced based upon the priority level.  
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 7  wherein the priority level is allocated to a data packet based on a function of a state of a queue.  
     
     
         11 . A controller for controlling an information flow in a data transmission system, comprising: 
 means for generating a modified information flow by providing a variable spacing between data packets that is exponentially distributed.    
     
     
         12 . The controller as recited in  claim 11  wherein the means for generating a modified information flow is embodied at least in part in a policer/shaper and a rate limiter.  
     
     
         13 . The controller as recited in  claim 11  wherein the means for generating a modified information flow employs one of a random pattern and a pseudo-random pattern.  
     
     
         14 . The controller as recited in  claim 11  further comprising means for allocating a priority level to each data packet.  
     
     
         15 . The controller as recited in  claim 11  further comprising a means for providing a data packet identifier to each data packet and means for storing each data packet in a sequence.  
     
     
         16 . A controller for controlling an information flow in a data transmission system, comprising: 
 a policer/shaper configured to generate a modified information flow by providing a variable spacing between data packets that is exponentially distributed.    
     
     
         17 . The controller as recited in  claim 16  further comprising a rate limiter configured to service the data packets in accordance with the policer/shaper.  
     
     
         18 . The controller as recited in  claim 16  wherein the policer/shaper employs one of a random pattern and a pseudo-random pattern.  
     
     
         19 . The controller as recited in  claim 16  wherein the policer/shaper is configured to allocate a priority level to each data packet.  
     
     
         20 . The controller as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a queue memory manager configured to provide a data packet identifier to each data packet in accordance with the policer/shaper; and    a queue memory configured to store each data packet in a sequence.