Darren Robert Gregoire

6463280, Oct 8, 2002

May 22, 2000

09/575888

Scott M. Takahashi - Torrance CA
Roland Y. Wong - Monrovia CA
Lisa A. Moy-Yee - Torrance CA
Darren R. Gregoire - Redondo Beach CA

TRW Inc. - Redondo Beach CA

H04B 7185

455428, 455452, 455454

The method allocates ( ) subclass entries in an ordered list ( ) (which may be organized as a table, for example). Each entry ( ) generally corresponds to one of several predetermined cell subclasses, and the allocation reserves a total number of each subclass entry in the ordered list according to a predetermined amount of bandwidth desired for each cell subclass. The subclasses may be associated with factors such as coding rate, downlink beam area, virtual paths or virtual circuits, quality of service parameters, and the like. The method then examines ( ) each subclass entry in the ordered list and selects ( ) a cell from a cell memory (which may be a queue) that matches the subclass entry. The matched cell is then transmitted ( ). The method may also allocate sets of subclass entries in groups corresponding to a frame size and dynamically update ( ) the ordered list during operation of the cell switch.

6597669, Jul 22, 2003

Mar 16, 1999

09/270938

Scott M. Takahashi - Torrance CA
Roland Y. Wong - Monrovia CA
Darren R. Gregoire - Redondo Beach CA

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

H04B 7204

370325, 370412, 370417, 370418, 3703101, 370395

The present invention is a method and apparatus for processing data packets in the outbound module of a space-based cell switch. The present invention uses an expanded set of queuing parameters to determine an output queue in which to store each data packet. The method includes the steps of selecting an expanded set of queuing parameters ( ), establishing several output queues ( ) based on combinations of the expanded set of queuing parameters, receiving data packets in a communications uplink ( ), examining the header portion of each received data packet ( and ), determining an appropriate output queue in which to store the data packet ( and ), and switching the received data packets to that appropriate output queue ( ). The present apparatus includes several input modules ( ), a switch control output ( ) connected between the input module ( ) and a switch fabric ( ), and a several output modules ( ) connected to the switch fabric ( ). The input modules ( ) each include a discriminator circuit ( ) distinguishing among several combinations of queuing parameters from an expanded set of queuing parameters, and the output modules ( ) each include several output queues ( ) and a cell selector ( ) for selecting the destination output queue in which to store each data packet.

6625131, Sep 23, 2003

Sep 29, 1999

09/407416

Darren R. Gregoire - Redondo Beach CA
Scott M. Takahashi - Torrance CA
Roland Y. Wong - Monrovia CA
Zoltan Z. Stroll - Rancho Palos Verdes CA

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Redondo Beach CA

H04B 7204

370325, 455428, 455 133

A satellite communication system which performs multicast switching on data cells. A switch receives the data cells at a set of input ports IP and directs those including a multicast routing code to a first set of output ports OP or OP. The switch also directs data cells effectively omitting the multicast routing code to a second set of output ports OP. One or more multicast replication modules are coupled to the first set of output ports and replicate data cells requiring multicast processing. During the processing, the multicast routing code is effectively omitted and the replicated cells are coupled to input ports IP or IP so that the replicated data cells are transmitted to the second set of output ports OP. An outbound processing module is coupled to output ports OP for processing the data cells for transmission over a satellite downlink transmitter.

6724761, Apr 20, 2004

Sep 29, 1999

09/408048

Lisa A. Moy-Yee - Torrance CA
Darren R. Gregoire - Redondo Beach CA

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

H04B 7212

370390, 370323

A method and apparatus for implementing multicast in a space-based communication system is disclosed. The present invention allows for the use of a buffer in which to store data packets prior to replication in a multicast application. The present apparatus includes a buffer ( ), a header memory ( ), and an ASIC ( ) to store and extract received data packets and replicate them as required. The ASIC ( ) includes a switch interface ( ), a queue manager ( ), a header processor ( ), a holding buffer ( ), and a arbitration interface ( ). The switch interface ( ) is connected to the queue manager ( ). The queue manager ( ) is connected to the buffer ( ), the header processor , the holding buffer ( ), and the arbitration and switch interface ( ). The header processor ( ) is connected to the header memory ( ). The header processor ( ) and the holding buffer ( ) are connected to an arbitration and switch interface ( ), whose output, in turn, is fed back through the switch matrix routing fabric ( ) for routing and eventual downlink transmission.

62400754, May 29, 2001

Jan 25, 1999

9/236682

Scott M. Takahashi - Torrance CA
Roland Y. Wong - Monrovia CA
Darren R. Gregoire - Redondo Beach CA

TRW Inc. - Redondo Beach CA

H04B 7204
H04L 1256

370325

A satellite communication system which performs switching on data cells. A switch (80) receives the data cells at a set of input ports (IP1-IP128) and directs them to a set of output ports (OP1-OP128). In order to arbitrate input data cells contending for the same output port, decision factor codes and routing codes are serially conducted to input registers (210), and a pseudo-random sequence code is appended. The combined codes are ordered by routing code in a decoder (220). The code with the highest decision factor code is selected in one or more determinators (230 and 240). The selected code is identified by a bit in a result register (250).