Method and apparatus for preventing transmission of data packets with a greater intensity than a predetermined value on anyone of a number of channels on a common transmission link

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing transmission of data packets with a greater intensity than a given value for the channel on any one of a number of channels on a common transmission link. A variable counter value (r) is associated with each channel. This counter value is increased for a given channel by a predetermined value (I) when a data packet arrives at this channel. The counter values (r) for all channels are decreased at uniform intervals by a value (d), which is less than the predetermined value (I). Data packets arriving at a channel, the counter value (r) of which exceeds a given limiting value (C) are rejected.

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a method and apparatus for preventing transmission of data packets with a greater intensity than a predetermined value for the channel on any one of a number of channels on a common transmission link. BACKGROUND ART A transmission link which is used for asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) transmission is divided, with regard to time, into a plurality of successive cells. When such a link is used for transmitting data packets on several channels, each channel is identified with the aid of an address field in each cell. If packets with different intensities are sent on different channels, an individual bandwidth is obtained for each channel. The sum of the bandwidths of all channels must therefore be less than the maximum bandwidth of the link. In order that one channel not interfere with remaining channels by utilizing a bandwidth which is too great, it is suitable for the channels to be monitored so that packages with higher intensity than what was determined from the beginning for the respective channel are not sent on any channel. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for preventing that data packages with a higher intensity than a predetermined value are sent on any one of the channels on a transmission link common to them. This object is achieved by the provision of a variable counter value associated with each channel, this value being varied by a given amount in one direction when a data packet arrives, and which is changed by a lesser amount at uniform intervals in the other direction. Data packets arriving at a channel where its counter value has passed a given limiting value are rejected. The characterizing features of the invention are disclosed in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail, and with reference to the drawings, where Figure 1 illustrates a plurality of terminals which are connected by a transmission link, Figure 2 illustrates an apparatus in accordance with the invention and Figure 3 illustrates the function of the apparatus according to Figure 2. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In Figure 1 there is illustrated a plurality of terminals 11-14, which are arranged to transmit data packets. Via their individual monitoring means 15-18 the terminals are connected to a buffer means 19, which in turn is connected to a transmission link 20. This link is thus utilized for transmitting several different channels. One or more of the terminals 11-14 can be replaced by a transmission link, however, whereby the channels on the link 20 do not need to come from the illustrated terminals. The monitoring means 15-18 are arranged to monitor the intensity with which data packets arrive at the different channels and to prevent data packets being transmitted with too great intensity. In figure 2 there is illustrated an embodiment of a monitoring means according to the above. An up/down counter 32 is included in each monitoring means, a variable counter value r being calculated in each counter. For each data packet arriving at the channel with which the monitoring means is associated the counter value in the counter 32 is increased by a predetermined value I, which is stored in a register 31. The value I is consequently applied to an up-counting input on the counter. Detection of an arriving data packet and the associated activation of the counter have been denoted symbolically by a conductor 30. The counter value is decreased at uniform intervals by a predetermined value, which is less than the value I, and which is stored in a register 33. The value d is consequently supplied to a down-counting input on the counter 32. No activation conductor or activation means for the down-counting have been denoted in the figure. The counter value r in the counter 32 is compared in a comparator 35 with a predetermined value C, which is stored in a register 36. If the counter value r exceeds the value C, a special control signal s is generated on the output of the comparator 35. A data packet arriving on a channel having a counter value exceeding the value C is rejected, i.e. it is prevented from being transmitted. This is done with the aid of a controllable switching element 34, which assumes an open state when the control signal s occurs on the comparator output. The data packages which are rejected disappear completely, and are thus not stored in any buffer in the monitoring means. The control signal s also acts on the counter 32 so that the counter value of the latter does not increase further when it exceeds the value C. This action is symbolically denoted by a conductor 37. After the counter value r has exceeded the value C, no new data packets will be transmitted before the counter value has decreased to below the value C. There is thus obtained a function which prevents data packets with a greater intensity than a predetermined value being sent on the channel in question. In Figure 3 a diagram illustrates the function of a monitoring means in accordance with Figure 2. The diagram shows an example of the counter value r as a function of the time t. For each arriving data packet the counter value is increased, at least to start with, by the value I, and is reduced at uniform intervals by the lesser value d. However, each counter is arranged such that its counter cannot fall below the value zero. In accordance with the example, the counter value r is greater than the comparison value C, inter alia during the time period T1. If a data packet arrives during such a time period it is rejected, i.e. it is not transmitted, as explained above. The down-counting value d by which the counter value r in the counter 32 is decreased at uniform intervals can be individual for each monitoring means, i.e. for each channel. An individual bandwidth is thus obtained for each channel, and according to what is explained below it can be proportional to the down-counting value d. The comparison value C can also be individual for each channel, which allows bursts of different magnitudes to be accepted on the different channels. On the other hand, the channel bandwidth is not affected by this value. Different hardware solutions can have different amounts of individual means in response to how many different parameters which could be specific for each channel. For example, each of the registers 31, 33 and 36 could be common to several monitoring means, if the parameter values of the registers do not need to be specific to individual channels. In Figure 3 the time space between two down-counts is denoted by T2 and the mean time space between two incoming data packets on a channel by T3. In addition, if L denotes the packet length in number of bits and B the top value for the bandwidth on a given channel, there is obtained: T3 = L/B . Also applicable is that d/T2 = I/T3 , and this in combination with the first equation gives: d/T2 = I x B/L , or B = (L x d)/(I x T2) . In a hardware realization it is suitable that there are as few parameters specific to individual channels as possible. If only the down-counting value d is individually specific to channels, the bandwidth B will be directly proportional to the down-counting value d. The comparison value C depends on the greatest permitted number of data packets in a burst, this number being denoted by A, and on the up-counting value I. Applicable here is that C = (A-1) x I. The value C is thus independent of the channel, if the number of permitted data packets is common for all channels. A numerical example is as follows: L (packet length) = 35 bytes = 280 bits Greatest channel bandwidth = 600 Mbits/s Least channel bandwidth = 64 kbits/s The counting-up value I is calculated as the ratio between greatest and least channel bandwidth: I = 600 x 10⁶/64 x 10³ = 9375 T2 = (L x d)/(I x B) = (280 x 1)/(9375 x 64 x 10³) = 467 ns . This is explained by d = 1 corresponding to the bandwidth 64 kbits/s. If the magnitude A, i.e. the greatest permitted number of packets in a burst = 4 there is obtained: C = (4-1) x 9375 = 28125, and the greatest counter value will be 4 x 9375 = 37500. The invention is of course not restricted to the embodiment described above, and can be modified within the scope of the claims. For example, it can be alternatively arranged so that the above-mentioned counter value is decreased instead of being increased when a data packet arrives, and that the counter value is, at uniform intervals increased, instead of decreased by a lesser value. The comparison value C will thus be passed from above instead of from below, if data packets arrive with too great intensity. Likewise, the counter 32 can be replaced by some other suitable adding and subtracting means with a variable counter value r.

Claims: Method of preventing transmission of data packets with a greater intensity than a predetermined value for the channel on any one of a number of channels on a common transmission link (20), characterized in that a variable counter value (r) is associated with each channel, and is changed for a given channel by a predetermined second value (I) in a first direction, e.g. is increased, when a data packet arrives at this channel, in that the counter values for all channels are changed at uniform intervals in the other direction, e.g. are reduced, by a value (d) which is less than said second value (I), although at most to a predetermined third value (0), in that data packets are rejected which arrive at a channel the counter value (r) of which is above or below a predetermined fourth value (C) as a result of this value being passed in said first direction, e.g. upwards, and in that the counter value (r) is prevented from being varied in the first direction, e.g. being increased, for data packets which are rejected. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that when the counter value (r) is varied in said second direction, e.g. is reduced, this takes place with a value (d) which is individual to each channel. Method as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said fourth value (C) is individiual for each channel. Apparatus for preventing transmission of data packets with a greater intensity than a predetermined value for the channel on any one of a number of channels on a common transmission link (20), characterized in that to each channel there are associated: means (31,33,36) for storing a predetermined second (I), third (d) and fourth (C) value, said third value (d) being less than said second value (I); means (32) with a variable counter value (r) which is changed by said second value (I) in a first direction, e.g. is increased, when a data packet arrives on the channel with which the counter value (r) is associated, and which is changed at uniform intervals by said third value (d) in the second direction, e.g. is decreased, although at most to a predetermined fifth value (0); means (35) for comparing the counter value (r) with said fourth value (C) and generating a predetermined control signal (s) if the counter value (r) should come above or below this value (C) as a result of it having been passed in said first direction, e.g. upwards; and means (34) for rejecting data packets which arrive when said control signal (s) is being generated; and in that said means (32) having a variable counter value (r) are arranged such that the counter value is not varied in the first direction, e.g. is increased, when the control signal (s) is being generated. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said third value (d) is specific to each channel. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said fourth value (C) is specific to each channel.

Inventors: WICKLUND ROLF GOERAN, WICKLUND, ROLF GOERAN, Wicklund, Rolf Göran
Applicants: ERICSSON TELEFON AB L M, TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON
Application year: 1989
Main classification: H04L5
IPC codes: H04L12, H04L5, H04L29