Patent ID: 6538995
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A method of minimizing throughput delay in constant-bit-rate services carried over packet-based networks subject to variable delays, comprising the steps of;receiving incoming packets in a buffer; establishing a target minimum fill level set-point for said buffer, reading out bits from the buffer at a clock frequency fj; continually monitoring the buffer fill level Li; continually establishing the value of said minimum fill level of said buffer over k successive samples for successive blocks of k successive samples; identifying a second buffer fill level characteristic describing an aggregate property of said buffer over j successive samples, where j and k can be the same or different, and affecting the minimum fill level of said buffer; continually establishing the value of said second buffer fill level characteristic for successive blocks of j successive samples; establishing a target value for said second fill level characteristic; adaptively varying said target value for said second fill level characteristic so as to cause the minimum buffer fill level to approach said target minimum fill level set-point; and continually adjusting said clock frequency fj so that said second fill level characteristic approaches said adaptively varied target value for said second fill level characteristic, said target value for said second fill level characteristic being varied at a rate that is significantly lower than the rate of adjustment of said clock frequency.