Device for control of the capacity of a telecommunication network.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a telecommunication network which is divided into a number of parts. The different parts can comprise different kinds of transmission media, for instance radio link connection, coax-connection, fiber optic connection etc. In future telecommunication networks ring networks will be established, at which different network structures will be interconnected. The transmission capacity in the different parts of the network varies.

PRIOR ART

The capacity in the telecommunication networks of today is statically allotted. This implies that channels in the network are arranged according to an anticipated need. The implication of this is that the channel use is arranged independent of the need existing in each moment. Furthermore the channels are allotted determined traffic directions. The consequence of this is that a connection can have free channel space which is not possible to use because the traffic direction of the channels do not correspond to the wanted traffic direction. In the telecommunication networks of to-day the information is furthermore transmitted in a spiderweb-similar network. By the patent document US 4 298 979 it is previously known to change channel allocation in interface modules by a request allocation

process. A central network control unit registers all capacity- and destination wishes which are possible to transmit to the network stations. The network stations are further connected to a central station which communicates with a satellite. The communication relates to transmission of data at fixed points of time and between fixed points.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

TECNICAL PROBLEM

At information transmission in a network there is a need to use the capacity in the different parts of the network efficiently. At this there exist wishes that the capacity can be changed depending on the existing need. Beside the possibility to change the capacity in the network there is also a need to decide the transmission direction for different capacities.

In the telecommunication networks which are built to-day different media will be used in the network. Accordingly all today known transmission media will be used, as well as future media which are not yet known. Depending on usable capacity also different paths to one and the same goal shall be possible to use depending on which path that will give the wanted capacity need. Further is aimed at network structures where loss of capacity in parts of the network does not paralyse big parts of the network without alternative transmission paths being used.

Furthermore there exists need to allocate channels independent of each other. Further, there are wants for possibility to change channel allocation while

communication is going on with regard to the actual need.

The present invention intends to solve the above mentioned problems.

THE SOLUTION

The present invention relates to a device for control of the capacity in a telecommunication network. The telecommunication network, which preferably is a ring network, comprises a number of parts. The parts which can consist of different media, for instance coax, fiber, radio link etc., has each a transmission capcity which is depending on the media. The transmission capcity in the different parts of the nework are known. Centrally in the network is arranged a control function which in each moment decides the capacity need in the different parts of the network. The control function is arranged to flexibly allocate the parts of the network that transmission capacity which is required at the moment. The control function is further arranged to communicate with channel creating devices in the telecommunication network and the channel creating devices are controlled by the control function.

In a further development of the invention the channel creating devices are arranged to establish channels for communication in different parts of the network. The creation of channels by the channel creating devices and traffic allocations in the channels are controlled by the control function. The channel creating devices are further arranged to control frequency separation mechanisms in the different parts of the telecommunication network. Furthermore the channel

creating devices are preferably linked in the borders between different parts of the telecommunication network. The telecommunication network is further arranged in the form of a ring network.

ADVANTAGES

The invention allows that the capacity of the network can be used in an efficient and optimal way. Further the invention allows that the transmission direction is selectable depending on the existing need. The invention further allows that the capacity in the different parts of the network is variable. Possibility is further given to allocate channels, frequencies, depending on the existing need. Furthermore the channels can be reallocated between different parts of the network without these influencing each other.

The channel allocation and traffic direction is consequently possible to implement in the different parts of the network, independent of each other. The ring network structure further gives a flexible use of the network by the possibility to reroute the traffic at network fault. The elimination risk, which in conventional networks strikes many subscribers in the network, is drastically reduced.

DESCRIPTIONS OF FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a ring network where A, B, C, D and E shows different parts of the network.

Figure 2 shows in a corresponding way a network divided into parts with centrally arranged control device.

Figure 3 shows a part of the network with channel creating devices arranged in the border between the different parts of the network.

Figure 4 shows corresponding to Figure 3 with freqency separation mechanisms indicated.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following the invention is described on the basis of the figures. A telecommunication network according to Figure 1 is arranged. The invention relates to a device at telecommunication network for control of the different parts of the telecommunication network. The different parts consist for instance of coax connections, fiber connections, radio link connections etc. Channel creating device is arranged in the border between each part of the network. A centrally arranged control device is arranged to communicate with the channel creating devices. The control device gathers its information from the different parts of the telecommunication network regarding the information transmission need. A decision, by the control device, is after that made regarding which channels that shall be used and their allocation in the network. The channel creating devices receive the information and communicate with the frequency separation mechanism in the telecommunication network. The traffic direction in the network is further controlled. The telecommunication network is divided into a number of parts A, B, C etc. Each part of the telecommunication network has individual properties. Accordingly part A can correspond to a coaxial connection, part B to a fiber optical connection an C to a radio link connection etc. In the

coaxial connection respective fiber connection the transmission capacity is limited by the properties of respective media. The properties which at that are to be observed are respective cable's frequency limitations and at that possiblity to divide into a number of different channels. In part C, where a radio link tansmission is established, the transmission capacity is limited by the available frequency space in the ether. Further the frequency space is limited by the risk for disturbances from adjacent radio transmissions. The available frequency space in the ether can vary during the different parts of the 24, hours depending on the grade of use of other radio transmissions within the range where the radio link transmission can be disturbed, or disturb.

In the border between the different parts of the network channel creating devices are arranged. These channel creating devices are allowed to communicate on one hand with the own network, on the other with users in the network or with other networks. The changeover to other networks or users in the network can also be connected to the network parts in other points than here indicated. In Figure 3, where the channel creating devices have been indicated in part of the network has also been indicated the possibility to connect other networks or user to the channel creating devices. In Figure 2, a central control device, S, has been indicated. The control device communicate with the different parts of the network and gathers information regarding information transmission need. Further the border between the area A and area B in Figure 2 is considered. In this interface, channel creating devices and frequency separation mechanisms according to Figure 4 are arranged. Further there are means arranged which put together information regarding traffic to and from

part area A respective part area B in Figure 2, and traffic to and from other networks respective to and from users. The information comprises among other things capacity need and destination for the information in question. Further is transferred information about limitations in the network such as the free capacity space of the different parts and/or faults in the network. The information is transferred via the lined connections in Figure 2 to the control device. The control device after that determines what channel space that is needed for the information that is to be transmitted on the network. Further the control device examines which possible routes that exist with regard to the wished information space. The control device after that decides which path an information is to be routed in the network. Further the control device decides which frequencies, channels, that are to be allocated the information transmission in question in the different parts of the network, information regarding the decided frequency allocations are transferred to the mentioned channel allocation devices in Figure 3. Information is further transferred whether respective channel shall be one-way or bi-directional, and in the cases when they are one-way what direction they shall have in the network. The allocation of channels is in this way flexibly made in the different parts of the network at which one for each occasion adapted need is fulfilled.

The channel creating devices, K, are further arranged to control frequency separation mechanisms, F, in the network. The frequency separation mechanisms have the task of sorting out the different channels which come in respective go out in respective interface in the network. The channel creating devices and the frequency separation mechanisms in other respects operate according to in itself well known methods. In the

description it has been supposed that the channel creating devices are arranged between parts of the network which in their characters are different. Any prevention that the channel creating devices are arranged within a part network where one and the same network structure exists on both sides of the channel creating devices does not exist.

The control device further receives information from the different parts of the network regarding limitation that can occur, for instance break on a connection. At break on a connection, for instance in part B, traffic which comes in in the border between part A and B to be routed over part distance A E D C to users or networks which are connected in the border between area B and C. In a corresponding way information which are to be routed from the border area between area B and C to the area between A and B will be routed over the part areas C D E A B. The control device will at that see that available channels are used in an efficient way and that as much communication as possible can be performed without serious disturbances in the network.

The control device further communicates continuously with the different parts of the network and analyses the traffic need in relation to available resources. Reallocation of channels are at that made depending on the need. Further an already established connection can be routed another path for making capacity, channels, in the network, available. On such occasions the control device receives information from the different parts of the network. Analysis in the control device decides possible reallocations of the network when a reallocation of channels and/or change of traffic direction or route is needed, the control device transmits orders to the channel creating devices, which

perform necessary changes inclusive control orders to the frequency separation mechanisms. In the case that the network is not capable of establishing all connections which are wanted on one occasion, the control device is arranged to otimize available channels for best possible use. The control device at that takes into consideration the communication transmission which has priority before others. These communications given priority to, are allocated communication space before other connections. Connections which have not been possible to establish are controlled by the control device which gives necessary information to the subscriber, via current channel creation device or other equipment in the telecommunication network. The subscriber can at that be given possibility to wait for a later connection or is given the message that he/she should try again on a later occasion.

The invention is not restricted to the above shown embodiment but can be subjected to modifications within the frame of the following patent claims and idea of invention.