Patent ID: 6407999
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A method of routing packets in a router of a packet network, the method comprising:defining several priority classes for the packets; defining a first propagation delay threshold value and a second, higher, propagation delay threshold value for each of the several priority classes; selecting from each of the priority classes, an oldest packet; determining an estimate of a propagation delay of at least one of the packets; lowering a priority of at least one packet, if the estimate of the propagation delay associated with that at least one packet is higher than the second threshold value of a present priority class associated with that at least one packet; transmitting at least one packet of the present priority class if the estimate of the propagation delay associated with that at least one packet is higher than the first threshold value but lower than the second threshold value of the present priority class; and selecting a next priority class; wherein the first threshold value equals an average propagation delay determined for the priority class minus an estimated propagation delay of the packet in other parts of the network, and the second threshold value is a maximum propagation delay defined for the priority class, wherein the maximum propagation delay is based on a delay that a majority of the packets has to fall short of minus the estimated propagation delay of the packet in other parts of the network.