TWI425790B - Network nodes cooperatively routing traffic flow amongst wired and wireless networks - Google Patents

Description

Communication architecture

The present invention relates to managing communication flows, routing them through multiple communication paths, and more particularly, to terminal devices, access points, and other network nodes that serve one or more communication applications. Management of the interaction process.

Computers, video game consoles, telephones, PDAs (personal digital assistants), and many other types of terminals can be connected to the communication data network. Typically, the communication data network assigns each terminal a unique network address. These terminals use this unique network address to send and receive data over the communication data network. The communication data network may be, for example, an EDGE (Enhanced Data Rate GSM Evolution) network, a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 network. , Bluetooth, WiMax network, Internet, corporate intranet, satellite network, etc. The materials typically exchanged between these terminals and the communication data network include media material such as text, audio, video and image material; and control signals exchanged with the destination device such as a server or another terminal. The collection and exchange of media materials can be done immediately or in the memory of long-term storage of data.

In order to communicate with the destination device, some terminals may be connected to more than one communication data network. For example, a terminal may include a wireless interface card and a wired interface card for connecting to a WiMax network and an Ethernet LAN (Local Area Network). For a particular software application running on the terminal, or for all applications running over a period of time, the terminal selects a path between WiMax and Ethernet to send and receive data. The terminal needs to determine in advance the communication data network with which the data will be exchanged. Before starting the data exchange, the user of the terminal selects an available communication data network, such as a WiMax network or an Ethernet LAN, from a plurality of available communication data networks through a software application running on the terminal. For subsequent data exchange.

For many well-known reasons, the selected communication data network often exhibits unacceptable service performance or is unable to provide services during the data exchange process. For example, a terminal is typically connected to an access point of a selected communication data network via a wired or wireless link. The problem of service interruption is usually caused by the following problem from the terminal's communication path via such an access point: 1) the terminal moves out of the wireless service area; 2) the cable is disconnected; 3) is interfered by other terminals; ) The access point or terminal software and hardware technology failure. Once an unacceptable service performance is encountered during the data exchange process, or the service is interrupted, the software application running on the terminal will stop working or request to stop working so that the user can select another communication data network. This selection process often requires configuration of the newly selected communication data network. The interruption of a communication data network, and then the process of switching to another communication network often results in significant delays and sometimes data loss.

Limitations and disadvantages of conventional and conventional methods will be more apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the system to which the present invention will be described.

The present invention provides a device that can interact with a plurality of communication data networks, and the device can control its selective exchange of data packets with the communication data networks. The following will be shown in conjunction with at least one drawing and/or Or a description, a more complete description by the claims.

The present invention provides a communication architecture comprising: a local communication software application having a local communication condition; a local management software application; a local terminal device executing the local communication software application and the local management software application; An end terminal device having a remote communication feature; a plurality of local access point devices connected to the local terminal device by a corresponding plurality of independent links, wherein the corresponding plurality of independent links have corresponding multiple a local path feature; a packet switched communication backbone network, connected to each of the plurality of access point devices and a second terminal device; wherein the local terminal device is in the plurality of local access points Communicating with the remote terminal device over the packet switched communication backbone network; the local terminal device pairs the local communication condition, the remote communication feature, and the corresponding plurality of local path features After the evaluation, at least one access point is selected from the plurality of local access points.

Advantageously, the communication architecture further comprises a remote management software application running on the remote terminal device for transmitting the remote communication feature to the local terminal device.

Preferably, the local communication condition is sent by the local communication software application to the local management application.

Preferably, the process of the local terminal device selecting at least one access point from the plurality of local access points is performed under the control of the local management software application.

Preferably, the process of the local terminal device selecting at least one access point from the plurality of local access points is performed under the control of the local communication software application.

The present invention provides a communication architecture supporting a communication software application having communication features, comprising: a plurality of network nodes including a first access point, a second access point, and a terminal node executing the communication software application; The terminal node executes a first management application; the first access point executes a second management application; and by using the communication feature, according to the interaction between the first management application and the second management application, The first access point is selected to service the communication software application.

Preferably, if the first access point fails to support the communication feature, the second access point is selected to serve the communication software application.

Preferably, the communication feature is sent by the first communication software application to the first management application.

Preferably, the communication feature is obtained from the memory by the first management application.

The present invention provides a communication architecture supporting a communication software application, the communication software application supporting data communication, the communication architecture comprising: a plurality of network nodes including a first access point, a second access point, and an execution station The first terminal node of the communication software application, and the second terminal node.

The plurality of network nodes are configured to provide a plurality of communication paths for the first terminal node; the first terminal node executes a management application, and the plurality of networks according to a requirement of the communication software application At least one other node in the path node cooperates, selects a first communication path via the first access point from the plurality of communication paths to carry a first portion of the data communication; and further selects a second connection via the second connection A second communication path of the ingress to carry the second portion of the data communication.

Preferably, the management application acquires the requirement of the communication software application from a memory.

Advantageously, said management application sends said request to said at least one of said plurality of network nodes.

Preferably, the management application hands over the selection of the first communication path and the second communication path from the plurality of communication paths to the communication software application.

Preferably, the management application monitors the plurality of communication paths.

Preferably, the requirement of the communication software application is sent by the communication software application to the management application.

Preferably, the condition of the communication software application is obtained from the memory by the management application.

Advantageously, said cooperating process of said terminal node management application comprises handing over selection of said first communication path and said second communication path of said plurality of communication paths by said communication software.

Preferably, the cooperation process of the terminal node management application includes handing over selection rights of the first communication path and the second communication path in the plurality of communication paths to the plurality of network nodes. At least one other network node.

Advantageously, said cooperating process of said terminal node management application comprises handing over selection of said first communication path and said second communication path of said plurality of communication paths by said first access point.

Advantageously, said management application further cooperates with said at least one of said plurality of network nodes to select a third communication path from said plurality of communication paths to replace said plurality of communication paths The first communication path transmits data.

The present invention provides a communication architecture comprising: a plurality of communication software applications, each of which supports packet communication, the communication software application having a corresponding plurality of communication conditions; a path management application; a plurality of network nodes, A first access point, a second access point, and a first terminal node; the first terminal node executing the path management application and the plurality of communication software applications; The first terminal node provides a plurality of communication paths; the first terminal node selects a first communication path and a second communication path from the plurality of communication paths based at least in part on the corresponding plurality of communication conditions To support the plurality of communication software applications.

Advantageously, the path management application obtains the plurality of communication conditions from the plurality of communication software applications.

Preferably, the plurality of communication paths have corresponding multiple path features; in the selecting process, the first terminal node further evaluates the corresponding multiple path features.

Advantageously, both the first communication path and the second communication path of the plurality of communication paths support a communication flow involving a first communication software application of the plurality of communication software applications.

Advantageously, said plurality of network nodes further comprise a second terminal node, said node also being involved in a communication flow through said first communication path and said second communication path of said plurality of communication paths ( On the communication path).

Preferably, the first one of the plurality of communication paths supports a communication flow in which the first communication software application and the second communication software application of the plurality of communication software applications are involved.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of the embodiments of the invention.

1 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of devices 151, 153, 155, 157, and 159 interacting with an Internet backbone network 103 through a plurality of access points 131, 133, 135, and 137, wherein each device 151, 153, 155, 157 and 159 interacts with more than one access point. The first personal computer 151, the telephone set 153, the television set 155, the second personal computer 157, and the earphone 159 interact with the Internet backbone network 103. The first service provider device 111, the second service provider device 113, the third service provider device 115, and the fourth service provider device 117 are connected to the Internet backbone network 103. Each of the plurality of service provider devices 111, 113, 115, and 117 may be one of a computing device, a router, a switch, a base station, an antenna, a transceiver, a function variable name server, a proxy server, and a storage server. A combination of a table or a few. Each of the plurality of service provider devices 111, 113, 115, and 117 is coupled to the Internet backbone network 103 by wire (including fiber optics) and/or wireless links.

The first service provider device 111 manages the wired data network 121. The wired data network 121 can be one of a PSTN network, a fiber optic network, and a cable television network, or a combination thereof. The first access point 131, the second access point 133, and the third access point, that is, the set top box 135, are connected to the wired data network 121. The second service provider device 112 manages the terrestrial wireless data network 123. The terrestrial wireless data network 123 can be a television broadcast network including, for example, UHF (Ultra High Frequency) or VHF (UHF) transmissions. The set top box 135 is connected to the terrestrial wireless data network 123. The third service provider device 115 manages the satellite data network 125. The set top box 135 communicates with the satellite data network 125 using a dish antenna. The fourth service provider device 117 manages the wireless data network 127. The wireless data network 127 can be, for example, an EDGE network, a WCDMA (Wide Frequency Division Multiple Access) network, an IEEE 802.11 network, a WiMax network, or a UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network. Set top box 135 can also be used to communicate with wireless data network 127. The fourth access point 137 is connected to the wireless data network 127. Each of the access points 131, 133, 135, and 137 includes at least one (typically two or more) transceivers for receiving and transmitting data. The first access point 131 receives the data from the first personal computer 151 and sends the received data to the wired data network 121. The first access point 131 also receives the data from the wired data network 121 and sends the received data to the first personal computer 151. This information may include control information, supporting materials, and a variety of multimedia materials such as text messages, audio, video, pictures, emails, television content, music videos or files, and another network device such as an internet server, broadcast device or The other terminal exchanges.

The first personal computer 151 is connected to the first access point 131 through a wired interface, and is connected to the second access point 133 through a wireless interface. Therefore, the first personal computer 151 can receive/send data from/to the wired data network 121 through the first access point 131 or the second access point 133. The first access point 131 assigns a first IP address to the first personal computer 151, and the second access point assigns a second IP address to the first personal computer 151. The telephone 153 is connected to the second AP 133 via two wireless links. The television 155 is connected to the second AP 133 via a wireless link. The second personal computer 157 is connected to the second AP 133 via a wired link. The second AP 133 is connected to the wired data network 121 through two wired links, a first wired link and a second wired link.

As shown, each terminal may have multiple available communication paths to any other terminal, server, or other network device. The first personal computer 151 has two uplink paths through the APs 131 and 133. The telephone 153 has two uplink paths that all pass through the AP 133, and the television 155 and the personal computer 157 each have three. To manage communications over these available upstream paths, each of the terminals 151-157 uses a multi-path management function that is implemented by a combination of commonly used and/or dedicated hardware and associated software. Similarly, both access point 133 and set top box 135 have two or more upstream communication paths and two or more downstream communication paths through which other terminals, servers, and other network devices can be reached. To manage communications over these available upstream and downstream paths, both access point 133 and set top box 135 also use multipath management functionality by combining common and/or dedicated hardware and related software. To achieve. Similarly, any other network with two or more upstream paths, or two or more downstream paths, such as some servers 105, can also use the multi-path management function.

As described herein, "upstream path" and "downstream path" do not necessarily refer to the actual direction of the data flow. Instead, the "upstream path" refers to the path originating from the current device connected to the Internet backbone network 103, and the "downstream path" refers to the path from the current device to the terminal device. Thus, for example, the access point 133 has two upstream paths (both associated with the personal computer 151) and three downstream paths (only one associated with the personal computer 151). As used herein, "terminal node" or "terminal device" refers to any network device, such as a client device or server, that can serve as a source or destination for a communication stream.

In particular, each network device having multiple uplink paths and/or multiple downlink paths performs a multi-path management software application. Therefore, one or more multi-path management applications may be running on the available path between the two terminal devices. However, the multipath management application will only select one of these available upstream and downstream paths to support the exchange between the two terminal devices. The selection process may include one or more upstream paths and/or one or more downstream paths. Other upstream and downstream paths will remain inactive or used to support other terminal device exchanges. Similarly, some paths can support multiple terminal device exchanges simultaneously.

If there are multiple multipathing applications in the entire path between the two terminal devices, each multipathing application will work according to the local settings. For example, depending on the network configuration and local settings, each multipath management application will independently manage its upstream path, rather than the downstream path, whether or not it has support from any upstream multipathing application. Alternatively, depending on the settings made, some or all of the entire management process can be handed over to a multi-path application, while other multi-path applications go to sleep or provide support. Similarly, data exchange management between two terminal devices can also be shared by some or all of the multipath management applications.

Path selection can occur, for example: 1) the terminal device is powered on; 2) the path feature changes; 3) the path changes or becomes available; 4) changes as required; 5) periodically or continuously; 6) local or remote communication The communication conditions of the software application are changed, and the like. The selection process can occur in all communications related to, for example: a) a terminal device; b) a specific communication software application; c) a specific media type; and/or d) a request in a basic manner of request (on a request) By request basis).

For example, the first personal computer 151 (or a user using the first personal computer 151) wants to send (uplink) data to the destination terminal connected to the Internet backbone network 103. The first personal computer 151 is associated with the first access point 131 via the first IP address and associated with the second access point 133 via the second IP address. The multi-path management application evaluation running on the first personal computer 151 selects one or both of the available upstream paths for one or ongoing communication exchange. Alternatively, if such a configuration is made, the multi-path management application running on the first personal computer 151 may only evaluate (or assist in evaluating) the two available uplink paths, and send the relevant information to the first service provider device 111. Information and results. The multi-path management function performed by the first service provider device 111 responds, evaluates the received information and results, and controls the first personal computer 151 to communicate with the wired data network 121 using the second IP address and the wireless interface according to the result of the evaluation. .

For the telephone 153, the multi-path management software running thereon, and the access point 133 and the first service provider device 111 can each independently perform similar tasks or participate in the selection process. For example, the second access point 133 exchanges data with the telephone 153 via a link selected by the multipath management software running on the telephone 153, the second access point 133 in accordance with the multipath running on the first service provider device 111. The instructions of the management software exchange data with the first service provider device 111. There may be other situations, such as selecting different paths according to the data flow, for example, the path from the first terminal device to the second terminal device may be related to the path from the second terminal device to the first terminal device. Different multi-path management responsibilities lead to different path selection results. In the path from the first terminal device to the second terminal device, each device can make its own independent evaluation and select one or more links to the second terminal device. Similarly, in the path from the second terminal device to the first terminal device, each device only makes its own independent evaluation, and selects one or more links to the first terminal device.

In undertaking this task, the multipath management application evaluates multiple features of each available uplink and downlink. Based on these characteristics, the multipath management application generates a connection rate for each link that includes one or more factors. By comparing one or more of the first and second connection rates, the multipath management application can determine which link in the path should be used.

The various features mentioned above may include maximum and current bandwidth, load level, transmission queue, contention requirements, data type, interference, bit error rate, security, link cost, and the like. In particular, some of the features mentioned above are not time-varying, while others change over time. For example, those characteristics that change over time may change due to changes in bandwidth, path routing, network load, QoS (Quality of Service), transmit power requirements, bit error rate, roaming, and the like. Features that do not change over time include, for example, link cost, maximum bandwidth, QoS guarantees, anti-eavesdropping capabilities of the link, circuit comparison (vs.) packet switching features, and the like.

After the first evaluation and selection of the link between the AP 133 and the telephone 153, the multi-path management application running on the AP 133 will be at a fixed time interval, or when new requirements are placed on the link, and When a factor changes so that certain pre-set thresholds are exceeded, the decision made is re-evaluated. If a more suitable configuration is found, the multipath management application will switch the current path. This can occur, for example, when the television 155 opens a second window to display the second video material, causing the amount of data required to rise; or another data exchange is over, a more suitable connection path is released. On the other hand, at a later time, the first personal computer 151 may have a large amount of data to upload. Using the current active link to transmit this data immediately increases the burden on the link beyond the bandwidth that the link can accept for another application. In response, the multipath management application will re-route some or all of this other application, or the transfer burden of such large amounts of material.

The multi-path management application seamlessly switches data transmission between one link and another link. This process can be notified or not notified to the terminal communication application software. For example, the first personal computer 151 may not know the wired link used by the second AP 133 to transfer the data generated by the first personal computer 151 to the wired data network 121. The television 155 and the second PC 157 may also be unaware of the path switching performed by the multipath management application. The process of switching the data transmission from the second wired link to the first wired link does not affect the transfer of the data generated by the second AP 133 to the television 155 and/or the second PC 157.

The second PC 157 is associated with the second AP 133, the set top box 135, and the fourth AP 137. The second PC 157 includes a wired interface, a first wireless interface, and a second wireless interface. The second AP 133 assigns a third IP address to the second PC 157. The set top box 135 assigns a fourth IP address to the second PC 157. The fourth AP 137 assigns a fifth IP address to the second PC 157. The second PC 157 communicates with the wired data network 121 via the second AP 133 using a third IP address and a wired interface. The second PC 157 communicates with the set top box 135 using the fourth IP address and the first wireless interface. The second PC 157 communicates with the fourth AP 137 using the fifth IP address and the second wireless interface. A second multipath management program is run on the second PC 157. The second multipath management program is a set of software for managing three communication associations, the first communication association is associated with the second AP 133, the second communication association is associated with the set top box 135, and the third communication association is associated with the fourth AP137 is associated. The second multi-path management software periodically collects features or parameters associated with the three communication associations. The second multipath management program can collect the plurality of parameters when the three communication associations change. These parameters may include the IP address in each association, the data flow for each associated bearer, the bandwidth provided by each association, the encryption and encoding methods supported by each association, the power requirements for each association, and each associated Type, the delay introduced by each association, the level of interference in each association, which is related to the data flow carried by each association. The second multipath management program stores the collected parameters in the memory of the second PC 157. In a second embodiment, the second multipath management program updates the existing parameters with a new set of collected parameters and then no longer uses the old set of parameters. In a second embodiment, the multipath management program stores a plurality of parameters of the old set until a new set of multiple parameters are collected.

The second PC 157 or the user using the second PC 157 wishes to transmit the material to the destination device connected to the Internet backbone network 103. The second PC 157 generates a data transmission request. In response to the request, the second multipath management program obtains a plurality of parameters related to the three communication associations. The second multipath management program will collect at least some parameters from the second access point 133, the set top box 135, and the fourth access point 137, for example, the bandwidth provided by each association, the encryption and encoding methods supported by each association, and each The delay introduced by the association and the interference level of each association. These parameters can be obtained from the memory of the second PC 157. These parameters can also be obtained from a separate storage system that is not in the second PC157 chassis. Some or all of these parameters, such as an IP address corresponding to each communication association, may be obtained from the wired interface of the second PC 157, the first wireless interface, and the second wireless interface. The multipath management program uses the acquired parameters to select an interface from the three interfaces - the wired interface, the first wireless interface, and the second wireless interface, and then controls the second PC 157 to use the selected interface and the corresponding IP address to the Internet. The backbone network 103 sends (ie, uplinks) data. The multi-path management program, the selection process, provides the best possible service for the data ascent process. For example, the multipath management program selects the second wireless interface. The second PC 157 transmits the material to the fourth access point 137 using the fifth IP address assigned by the fourth access point 137. The fourth access point 137 receives the data and uses the wireless data network 127 to route the data to the destination device.

During the process of the second PC 157 transmitting and receiving data from/to the fourth access point 137, the wireless link between the fourth access point 137 and the second wireless interface of the second PC 157 may be disconnected. If the wireless link is disconnected, the software application controls the second PC 157 to use one of the remaining two interfaces, namely the wired interface and the first wireless interface. The software application chooses an interface that provides better service. The selection process of selecting one of the remaining two interfaces is performed by relying on multiple parameters acquired. For example, a software application can choose a wired interface. Subsequently, the second PC 157 transmits the material using the wired interface and the third IP address. The interface change from the second wireless interface to the wired interface will be seamless, so that any data sent by the second PC 157 will not be lost. Subsequently, the data transmitted by the second PC 157 will arrive at the second AP 133. The second AP 133 is connected to the wired data network 121 through two links. The multipath management application running on the second AP 133 selects one of the two links connected to the wired data network 121 for transmitting the data received from the second PC 157 to the wired data network 121. The second AP 133 sends the data received from the second PC 157 to the wired data network using the selected link. The data transmitted by the second PC 157 will eventually reach the destination node through the second AP 133, the wired data network 121, and the Internet backbone network 103.

In another embodiment, the second multipath management program running on the second PC 157 periodically acquires a plurality of parameters relating to all three of the communication associations. The multipath management program can select a threshold and isolate the corresponding communication association when the quality of any of the three communication associations is below the threshold. In the exemplary scenario, the second PC 157 transmits the data using a wireless link between the fourth access point 137 and the second wireless interface of the second PC 157. When the quality of the wireless link drops below the threshold, the multipath application will cause the second PC 157 to switch to the wired interface and use the third IP address to transmit the data. Therefore, switching from the second wireless interface to the wired interface occurs before the link is disconnected. The multipath management program ensures that no data (ie, data sent by the second PC 157) is lost due to switching.

One or more communication applications are running on each of the terminals 151-157. These communication applications may be Internet browsing applications, Internet telephony, video game applications, text messaging, multimedia messaging, and video conferencing. Each communication application has different communication conditions. For example, Internet browsing applications may require high bandwidth paths, Internet telephony applications may require low latency paths, text messaging applications are generally most tolerant of high latency paths, and video game applications that deliver instant experiences to users may require high bandwidth. Low latency path. The communication application running on terminals 151-157 can perform multi-path management functions. In this case, there may be no separate multipath management hardware or software for managing communications on multiple available upstream paths for each of the terminals 151-157. The communication application running on the terminal may select an uplink path from two or more available uplink paths according to corresponding communication conditions. For example, if a terminal has two uplink paths to the access point, one is a low bandwidth path and the other is a high bandwidth path, the video game application running on the terminal may decide to use a high bandwidth uplink path to connect and connect. Send and receive packet data between incoming points. The video game application (communication application) notifies the selected path to the multi-path management application running on the terminal, which transmits and receives the packet data between the access point and the access point through the selected high bandwidth path. The multipath management application only helps to control the routing of data packets to the access point through the path selected by the video game application (communication application).

In another embodiment, a multi-path management application is not running on the terminal. The communication application (video game application) is connected to the device driver of the terminal, and controls the device data corresponding to the selected path (high bandwidth path) to transmit and receive packet data between the device driver and the access point.

Alternatively, the video game application (communication application) may also decide to receive packet data from the access point using the high bandwidth uplink path and the packet data to the access point using the low bandwidth uplink path. The video game application may also decide to use both the high bandwidth uplink path and the low bandwidth uplink path to receive packet data from the access point. Video game applications require a low latency path. If at some point the delay on the high bandwidth path is greater than the acceptable value, the video game application may decide to communicate with the access point using only the low bandwidth path. The video game application can control a multi-path management application or a corresponding device driver to switch to a low bandwidth path. The communication application software ensures that no packet data is lost due to switching.

The communication application selects an uplink path from two or more available uplink paths based on the communication characteristics of the available paths. The communication characteristics may include maximum bandwidth and current bandwidth, load, queue length, interference, bit error rate, security, link cost, and transmission power conditions, and the like. The communication application can select a path based on the type of data it generates. If the communication application requires control data exchange, it can only select one path from the available upstream paths. If the communication application requires sending and receiving multimedia packet data, it may select the two best paths from the available uplink paths, and receive (or transmit) part of the multimedia packet data using the selected first path, and use the selected second packet. The path receives (or sends) the remaining multimedia packet data.

In one embodiment, a communication application may have a higher priority than other communication applications. For example, without limitation, the telephone 153 has two upstream paths to the AP 133. The Internet browsing application running on the telephone 153 has a lower priority than the telephone call application. The Internet browsing application running on the telephone 153 selects one of the two uplink paths to communicate with the AP 133. For example, of the two upstream paths, the selected path provides lower interference. If the telephone 153 (or the user using the telephone 153) wants to establish a telephone call at the same time, the Internet browsing application releases the low-interference uplink path and instead communicates with the AP 133 using the second uplink path with higher interference in the two uplink paths. The telephone call application uses a low interference path to communicate with the AP 133. The packet data in the Internet browsing application is transmitted through the high interference path, and the packet data in the telephone call application uses a low interference path. Once the phone call application ends, the Internet browsing application will switch to the low interference path, and the packet data will be exchanged through the low interference path. The process of switching from an Internet interference application to a low interference path and finally switching back to a low interference path is performed seamlessly by the Internet browsing application.

In another embodiment, the communication application, i.e., the Internet browsing application and the telephone call application running on the telephone 153, are not adapted to select a path from the two upstream paths connecting the APs 133. A multi-path management application runs on the telephone 153. The communication application provides its own communication condition information (CRI) to the multi-path management application, and the multi-path management application selects one path among the two uplink paths according to the CRI. The CRI corresponding to the communication application may include a minimum data rate required by the communication application, a priority order of the communication application, a maximum error rate that the communication application can tolerate, and the like. For example, the user wants to run an internet browsing application on the phone 153. The multipath management application running on the telephone 153 receives a path establishment request from the internet browsing application. The multi-path management application then receives the CRI of the corresponding Internet browsing application from the Internet browsing application. The multipath management application can also retrieve the CRI from the memory of the telephone 153. The multipath management application uses the CRI to select a path from the two upstream paths and then controls subsequent packet data to be transferred between the AP 133 and the telephone 153 via the selected path.

The AP 133 receives a telephone call setup request to the telephone set 153 from the terminal connected to the Internet backbone network 103. The AP 133 is connected to the telephone 153 via the selected path on which the packet data corresponding to the Internet browsing application is being transmitted. The AP 133 sends a call setup request to the telephone 153 using the selected path. The multipath management application obtains the CRI of the corresponding phone call application. The CRI display for the phone call application shows that the phone call application has a higher priority than the Internet browsing application. The multipath management application selects one of the two available upstream paths connecting the APs 133 using the CRI of the corresponding telephone call. For example, the multi-path management application determines that the path selected by the Internet browsing application is also best suited for a phone call application. Since the priority of the telephone call application is higher than the Internet browsing application, the multi-path management application switches the packet data corresponding to the Internet browsing application to another one of the two uplink paths, and then controls the group data of the corresponding telephone call application via the selected path. Transfer. Communication applications, that is, Internet browsing applications and telephone call applications, help a multi-path management application select a path from two or more available paths by providing a corresponding CRI to the multi-path management application.

In a third type of embodiment, the communication application running on the terminal (151-157) does not directly or indirectly participate in the operation of selecting one of the two or more available upstream paths. The selection of the path and the task of controlling the packet data to be transmitted via the selected path are performed by the multi-path management application running on the terminal. The selection of the path may be performed by more than one multi-path management application running on different terminals between the originating terminal and the destination terminal. For example, after receiving a path establishment request from a communication application (ie, a telephone call application or an internet browsing application), the multi-path management application running on the telephone 153, the second multi-path management application running on the AP 133, and running The third multi-path management application on the first service provider device 111 can collectively decide which of the two upstream paths between the telephone 153 and the AP 133 to transmit the packet material corresponding to the communication application. The communication application running on the terminal (151-157) is apparently aware of the communication path selected by one or more multi-path management applications.

2 is a schematic diagram of multiple components of an access point 133 of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, which supports multiple data paths from itself to the Internet backbone network 103. The set top box 135 of FIG. 1 also supports more than one data communication path to the Internet backbone network 103. A plurality of components are shown in FIG. 2, which are common to the multipath access point 133 and the multipath set top box 135 of FIG. The multi-path AP or multi-path STB (set top box) 200 includes processing circuitry 202, a user input interface 218, a plurality of wired interfaces 220, and a plurality of wireless interfaces 230. The processing circuit 202 includes a storage system 204, an operating system 210, a multipath management software (MMS) 214, and a device sub-driver 216. The user input interface 218 receives input information from the user, and the processing circuit 202 thus responds to the input information. The user input interface 218 can be a plurality of buttons, a touch screen, a voice interface, a mouse, a thumb wheel, a screen, a touch pen, and the like. The plurality of wired interfaces 220 include a first wired upstream interface 222, a second wired upstream interface 223, a first wired downstream interface 224, and a second wired downstream interface 225. The plurality of wireless interfaces 230 include a first wireless uplink interface 232, a second wireless uplink interface 233, a first wireless downlink interface 234, and a second wireless downlink interface 235. The upstream interface (wired uplink and wireless uplink interface) of the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200 supports data communication between the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200 and one or more data networks, and its downstream interface (Wired downlink and wireless downlink interfaces) support data communication between multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 and one or more client devices. A client device is a terminal and/or device that generates data. Typical client devices include personal computers, telephones, PDAs, video game consoles, televisions, or various terminals that can generate data in a first format (eg, splitting data into packets) that can be transmitted over a packet switched network. These materials can be audio, video, pictures, emails, web pages, music videos, files stored on the Internet and/or corporate intranet servers, text messages, television shows, and any type of multimedia information. Typical data networks include fiber data networks, cable data networks, public switched telephone networks, GSM networks, CDMA networks, EDGE networks, IEEE 802.11 networks, WiMax networks, satellite data networks, or any kind of Standard and dedicated packet switched networks.

For example, but not limited to, the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 communicates with the fiber-optic data network using the first wired uplink interface 222, and communicates with the wired data network using the second wired uplink interface 223, using the first wireless uplink interface 232. Communicates with the EDGE network and communicates with the WiMax network using the second wireless upstream interface 233. Fiber data networks, cable data networks, EDGE networks, and WiMax networks use different protocols for packet data transmission and reception. Each wired and wireless upstream interface (222, 223, 232, and 233) interacts with at least one corresponding hardware device, and the corresponding hardware device is uniquely identified by a Media Access Control (MAC) address. Typical hardware devices include transceivers. The multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200 first associates itself with a fiber data network, a wired data network, an EDGE network, and a WiMax network, and then communicates with these networks. This association includes assigning an IP address to the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 by the corresponding data communication network. In the process of establishing the association, the optical fiber data network allocates a first IP address for the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200, and the wired data network allocates a second IP address for the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200, the EDGE network. The way assigns a third IP address to the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200, and the WiMax network assigns a fourth IP address to the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200. The multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 communicates with the fiber-optic data network through the first wired uplink interface 222 using the first IP address. Similarly, the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 passes the second wired uplink interface. 223 communicates with the wired data network using the second IP address, communicates with the EDGE network through the first wireless upstream interface 232 using the third IP address, and communicates with the WiMax network through the second upstream interface 233 using the fourth IP address.

In this non-limiting embodiment, the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 communicates with the personal computer using the first wired downstream interface 224, communicates with the headset using the second wired downstream interface 225, and uses the first wireless downstream interface 234 and the telephone. Communication, using the second wireless downstream interface 235 to communicate with the television. The multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200 is connected in this exemplary embodiment to different types of packet data networks (i.e., fiber data networks, cable data networks, EDGE networks, and WiMax networks). The type of packet data network connected to the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200 is invisible to personal computers, headsets, telephones, and televisions (i.e., client devices). When the client device broadcasts the association request, the MMS 214 of the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200 assigns a fifth IP address, a sixth IP address, a seventh IP address, and the like to the personal computer, the headset, the telephone, and the television, respectively. The eighth IP address. The MMS 214 of the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 controls the personal computer to transmit the first format material to the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 using the fifth IP address. The multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 receives data in the first format from the personal computer through the first wired downstream interface 224.

The multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 is connected to the Internet backbone through the first wired uplink interface 222, the second wired uplink interface 223, the first wireless uplink interface 232, and the second wireless uplink interface 233. The MMS 214 evaluates a first metric value corresponding to the first wired uplink interface 222, a second metric value corresponding to the second wired uplink interface 223, a third metric value corresponding to the first wireless uplink interface 232, and corresponds to The fourth metric value of the second wireless uplink interface 233. The value of the first metric at a certain time is related to a plurality of parameters. These parameters may be the maximum bandwidth supported by the first wired upstream interface 222, waiting to be uploaded from the customer premises equipment (ie, personal computer, headset, telephone, and television) to the Internet backbone through the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200. The data load of the network, the size of the data transmitted through the first wired interface 222 at that time, and the type of data load waiting to be uploaded by the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 (that is, the uploaded data load is a text message, a video) File, instant data or non-instant data, etc.), and the power requirements of the first wired upstream interface 222. The first metric varies over time. The MMS 214 evaluates the first metric at a fixed time interval. The second metric value, the third metric value, and the fourth metric value corresponding to the second wired uplink interface 223, the first wireless uplink interface 232, and the second wireless uplink interface 233 also change with time. The MMS 214 also evaluates the second metric, the third metric, and the fourth metric at fixed time intervals. The MMS 214 may evaluate the first metric value, the second metric value, the third metric value, and the fourth metric value upon receiving a data upload request sent by any of the client devices (personal computer, headset, telephone, or television). The MMS 214 may evaluate the first metric value, the second metric value, the third metric value, and the fourth metric value after receiving the user's input information through the user input interface 218 of the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200. The MMS 214 stores the first metric value, the second metric value, the third metric value, and the fourth metric value in the user input interface 218 of the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200 to receive the first information after receiving the input information of the user. The magnitude, the second metric, the third metric, and the fourth metric. The MMS 214 stores the first metric value, the second metric value, the third metric value, and the fourth metric value in the storage system 204 of the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200. After evaluating the new set of metric values, the MMS 214 updates the first metric value, the second metric value, the third metric value, and the fourth metric value.

The MM 214 can collect and measure metrics (first metric, second metric) from multiple wired interfaces 220, multiple wireless interfaces 230, operating system 210, storage system 204, and customer premises equipment (computers, headsets, telephones, and televisions). A number of parameters related to the value, the third metric, and the fourth metric. In the exemplary embodiment, the device sub-driver 216 of the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 determines whether the first cable downstream interface 224 has data from the personal computer by scanning. The device sub-driver 216 notifies the MMS 214 that there is data. The MMS 214 of the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200 then evaluates the four metrics. The MMS evaluates these four metrics to find a better data communication link with a higher metric. In this non-limiting embodiment, among the four metric values, it is possible that the value of the second metric value is the highest. The second metric corresponds to the second wired upstream interface 223 of the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200. The MMS 214 control device sub-driver 216 of the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 routes the data received from the personal computer to the second wired upstream interface 223 of the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200. The device sub-driver 216 is a software program that can interact with the hardware of the first wired downstream interface 224 and the second wired upstream interface 223. The device sub-driver 216 forwards the available data of the first wired downstream interface 224 (ie, from the personal computer) to the second wired upstream interface 223. The second wired upstream interface 223 sends the data to the wired data network using the second IP address. These materials eventually reach the Internet backbone through the wired data network.

In another embodiment, the data package may include an identification from a personal computer located at the first wired downstream interface 224. The flag indicates that the grouping material has a high priority value. In this case, the MMS 214 of the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200 can evaluate the four metrics to determine two communication interfaces corresponding to the two high priority values. In this non-limiting embodiment, of the four metrics, the second metric has the highest value and the first metric has the second highest value. The second metric corresponds to the second upstream wired interface 223 of the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200. The first metric corresponds to the first upstream wired interface 222 of the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200. The MMS 214 of the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200 divides the packet data received from the personal computer into two parts. The MMS 214 determines to transmit the first partial packet data received from the personal computer through the second uplink cable interface 223, and the remaining packet data is transmitted through the first wired upstream interface 222. Under the monitoring of the MMS 214, the device sub-driver 216 that interacts with the hardware of the first wired upstream interface 222 and the second wired upstream interface 223 performs routing control on the data packets. The second wired upstream interface 223 is connected to the wired data network. The MMS 214 ensures that the first portion of the data packet transmitted through the second cable interface 223 is applicable to the cable data network protocol. The first wired upstream interface 222 is connected to the optical fiber data network. The MMS 214 ensures that the remaining data packets transmitted over the first wired interface 222 use the fiber data network protocol. Packet data from the personal computer arriving at the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200 eventually arrives at the Internet backbone, where the first portion is reached via the wired data network and the remainder is reached via the fiber data network.

The personal computer does not know the type of data network and/or the type of interface that the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 uses to send data received from the personal computer. The personal computer sends the data to the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200 in the first format specified by the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200. For example, the MMS 214 of the multi-path AP (or multi-path STB) 200 selects to use the second wired upstream interface 223. The first format data received from the personal computer may need to be converted to the second format supported by the cable data network. The MMS 214 trigger device sub-driver 216 routes the available data of the first wired downstream interface 224 (ie, from the personal computer) to the transcoder. The transcoder is part of the processing circuitry 202 of the multipath AP (or multipath STB) 200. The transcoder converts the data in the first format to the second format. The MMS 214 then triggers the device sub-driver 216 to route the data of the second format from the transcoder to the second wired upstream interface 223. The second wired uplink interface 223 sends the second format data to the wired data network using the second IP address. The second wired uplink interface 223 includes a wireless transmission module.

The MMS obtains these parameters and periodically evaluates the four metrics. The user can set the time interval between two consecutive metric evaluation operations by the MMS 214 via the user input interface 218. User input interface 218 receives the user-defined time interval value and sends it to MMS 214. The MMS 214 stores the time interval values in the storage system 204 and evaluates the four metrics once in each user defined time interval. If at some point the third metric exceeds the second metric, the MMS 214 will trigger the device sub-driver 216 to route the data received from the personal computer to the first wireless upstream interface 232 because the third metric corresponds to In the first wireless uplink interface 232. The device sub-driver 216 sends the available data of the first wired downstream interface 224 (that is, the data from the personal computer) to the first wireless upstream interface 232. The first wireless upstream interface 232 sends the data to the EDGE network using a third IP address. These materials eventually reach the Internet backbone through the EDGE network. The data transmitted through the path from the first wired downstream interface 224 to the second wired upstream interface 223 is transmitted through the path from the first wired downstream interface 224 to the first wireless upstream interface 232 after the MMS 214 performs the handover. MMS214 controls the switching of data routing, ensuring that no data (or data packets) are lost during the switching process.

3 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of components of the client device 155 or 157 of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, the client device supporting a plurality of access points 133, 135, and 137 from its own 155 or 157 to FIG. Data path. The multi-path client device 300 includes a processing circuit 302, a storage system 304, a user input interface 330, a first wired uplink interface 342, a second wired uplink interface 343, a first wireless uplink interface 344, and a second wireless uplink interface 345. . Each of the wired and wireless interfaces (342, 343, 344, and 345) interacts with at least one corresponding hardware device, and the corresponding hardware device is uniquely identified by a Media Access Control (MAC) address. A typical corresponding hardware device includes a transceiver. The transceiver is used to send and receive data (ie, data packets). The operating system 308 is a set of software running on the multi-path client device 300.

The multi-path client device 300 itself is associated with all available packet switched networks. All of these packet switched networks are connected to the Internet backbone. As shown, the multi-path client device 300 includes four communication interfaces (342, 343, 344, and 345), and the multi-path client device 300 can associate itself with up to four different types of packet data networks. For example, but not limited to, the multi-path client device 300 associates itself with the first access point of the wired data network via the first wired upstream interface 342. The association with the first access point of the wired data network includes the assignment of an IP address by the first access point. The multi-path client device 300 uses the first IP address and the first wired uplink interface 342 to send data to the wired data network, and receives data from the wired data network through the first access point. In this non-limiting embodiment, multipath client device 300 is associated with a second access point of the fiber optic data network via a second wired upstream interface 343 and a second IP address. The multi-path client device 300 is also associated with a third access point belonging to the satellite data network via the first wireless uplink interface 344 and the third IP address. The multi-path client device 300 is also associated with a fourth access point of the UMTS data network via a second wireless upstream interface 345 and a fourth IP address. The second IP address, the third IP address, and the fourth IP address respectively pass through the second access point (that is, the optical fiber data network), the third access point (that is, the satellite data network), and the fourth access A point (i.e., a UMTS network) is assigned to the multi-path client device 300.

The user input interface 330 of the multi-path client device 300 can be a plurality of buttons, a keyboard, a touch screen, a mouse, a voice interface, a touch pen, a thumb wheel, and the like. The multi-path client device 300 can be a personal computer, a telephone, a television, a headset, a video game console, and the like. If the multi-path client device 300 is a personal computer, the user input interface 330 is typically a mouse and a keyboard. If the multi-path client device 300 is a telephone, the user input interface 330 is typically a screen and a plurality of buttons. If the multi-path client device 300 is a video game console, the user input interface 330 is typically a thumb wheel and a joystick. The multi-path client device 300 can send data to the Internet backbone. In this non-limiting embodiment, multi-path client device 300 is a telephone. The multi-path client device 300 receives the selection of the video through a plurality of buttons 330 (user input interfaces). Unrestricted, the selected video is a piece of music video stored on an internet server connected to the Internet backbone. The multi-path client device 300 is associated with four access points (connected to four access points), the first access point belongs to a wired data network, the second access point belongs to a fiber data network, and the third access point The point belongs to the satellite data network, and the fourth access point belongs to the UMTS network. All four access points are connected to the Internet backbone. The multi-path client device 300 now needs to send a request to the Internet backbone through any of the four access points for requesting the selected music video.

There may be multiple communication applications in the storage system 304 of the multi-path client device 300. Communication applications 310, 311, and 312 can be, for example, a telephony application, an internet browsing application, a media download application, a media mail application, a messaging service application, a television program application, or any other software application that uses communication functionality. Each of the communication applications 310 can perform the following operations: 1) control the communication path selection of itself and any other communication applications 310, 311, and 312; or 2) assist any other communication application 310 and remote and local path management software. This path is chosen. Each of the communication applications 311 can assist any communication application 310 and remote and local path management software in making communication path selections. The communication application 312, such as a legacy application, neither assists nor performs path selection.

Each of the communication applications 310, 311, and 312 is provided with a plurality of associated communication features, such as, but not limited to, and for each of the exchanged data types and each direction of the data flow, the features include: 1) Minimum bandwidth; 2) maximum delay allowed; 3) desired link quality; 4) lowest link quality allowed; 5) security/encryption requirements; 6) prioritization; 7) supported correlation Standard; 8) Communication requirements are periodic, irregular, or persistent. Communication applications 310 and 311 support communication feature exchange with local and remote path management software to support path selection. The local and/or remote management software determines communication characteristics for the communication application 312 by performing one or more of the following methods, including: 1) obtaining predefined communication features from local or remote memory; 2) prompting the telephone 310 The user enters this feature; 3) monitors the actual communication activity of the communication application 312.

The local path management software, ie MMS (Multipath Management Software 314), remote path management software running on any other network node (not shown), and the communication application 310 can be independent of each other, and can also cooperate with each other. The overall communication flow through the available paths is controlled, and the communication flows are controlled for all communication softwares 310, 311, and 312. They can re-select the path based on changes in current path conditions and the requirements of the communications software, and seamlessly switch traffic as needed. For example, if a communication path is broken, traffic for the current path will be transmitted via one or more other paths without disrupting the operation of one or more communication applications.

If one of the communication applications 310 is selected to manage all of the communication flows, the communication application will receive an automatic update communication feature by, for example, 1) directly interacting with other nodes in the available path; 2) from and specifying Obtained in a pre-defined memory associated with the path or path type; 3) obtained from the user of the multi-path client device 300; 4) acquired from the MMS 314; 5) obtained from other applications in the communication applications 310 and 311; Obtained from pre-defined memory associated with any other communication applications 310, 311, and 312; 7) acquired through a monitoring path or communication application; 8) acquired from one or more remote path management software applications. These communication features include two categories: a) related to available paths; b) related to other communication applications. In addition to managing all of the data flow, one of the communication applications 310 may also be solely responsible for managing its own communication flow.

Similarly, if MMS 314 is selected to manage all traffic, it will receive 幷 automatic update communication features in the following ways, such as: 1) directly interact with other nodes in the available path; 2) from the specified path or path type Acquired in the pre-defined memory; 3) acquired from the user of the multi-path client device 300; 4) obtained from the communication applications 310 and 311; 5) associated with any other communication applications 310, 311 and 312 Acquired in pre-defined memory; 6) acquired by monitoring path or communication application; and/or 7) acquired from one or more remote path management software applications. These communication features include two categories: a) related to the available path; b) related to the communication application. As an alternative to the scheme of managing all data flows, the MMS 314 may also be solely responsible for managing the communication flows of one or several of the selected ones of the communication applications 310, 311, and 312.

Similarly, if you select the remote path management software to manage all traffic, it will receive the automatic update communication features in the following ways, such as: 1) directly interact with other nodes in the available path; 2) from the specified path Or acquired in a pre-defined memory associated with the path type; 3) obtained from the user of the multi-path client device 300; 4) acquired from the MMS 314; 5) obtained from other applications in the communication applications 310 and 311; Acquired in pre-defined memory associated with any other communication applications 310, 311, and 312; 7) acquired through a monitoring path or communication application; 8) acquired from one or more remote path management software applications. These communication features include two categories: a) related to available paths; b) related to other communication applications. As an alternative to managing all data flows, the remote path management software may also be responsible for management only, for example: 1) one or several communication flows selected from communication applications 310, 311, and 312; or 2) communication The data flow of the communication application using the paths directly associated to the remote path management software in applications 310, 311, and 312. For example, a multi-path client device 300 (e.g., a telephone) running a communication application 310 (e.g., a media download application) interacts with local and remote multi-path management software to select one or more available communication paths for premium media downloads, or Seamlessly re-select when necessary. The communication features associated with the available path and the communication application support such selection and reselection operations.

In particular, in connection with a media download application (one of the communication applications 310), the communication characteristics associated with the media download application may include the minimum bandwidth required, the maximum delay allowed, the desired link quality, and the allowed Minimum link quality, encryption required for data grouping, data type, priority of grouping data, etc. Although the media download application 310 has the ability to request and receive media streams from network nodes connected to the Internet through any of the four access points, one of these access points must first be selected to satisfy the communication characteristics. Multiple or all access points.

Each of the available communication paths also has a plurality of communication characteristics associated therewith, which may be, for example, statistical, nominal or current bandwidth, delay, quality of service, link quality, security level, data type, cost, and the like. By simultaneously collecting the communication characteristics of the communication application and the available paths, the distribution of the path selection and data flow can be better managed. As used herein, a communication feature associated with an available communication path is referred to as a "path feature," and a communication feature associated with a communication application is referred to as a "communication condition information (CRI)" or "communication condition." The communication features associated with the local terminal device are referred to as "local communication features" (including "local CRI" and "local path characteristics"), while the communication features associated with the remote second terminal with which it is communicating are referred to as "far" End communication features" (including "remote CRI" and "remote path features").

Returning now to the previous embodiment, one of the media download applications, namely the communication application 310, can obtain the CRI 305 associated with any one or more of the communication applications 310, 311, and 312 from the storage system 304. The media download application can also obtain CRI directly from any one or more of the communication applications 310, 311, and 312. The media download application may also obtain the path features 306 in one, multiple, or all of the following ways: a) the storage system 304; b) the MMS 314; c) the remote path management software; d) directly monitoring the activity/performance of the available paths. As shown, there are at least four available paths between the four access points and the corresponding four communication interfaces 342, 343, 344, and 345. The path characteristics corresponding to each available path may include any feature that reflects the path's ability to support the communication flow, such as the maximum bandwidth supported, power requirements, delays present, congestion, and cost. Specifically, the path feature corresponding to the first wired uplink interface 342 may include, for example, a maximum bandwidth supported by the wired data network, and the data is sent and received through the first path between the first access point and the first wired uplink interface 342. The required power, the expected delay of the packet data flow through the first path, and the interference level. Similarly, the path characteristics corresponding to the wired upstream interfaces 343, 344, and 345 may also reflect the nominal, and current and historical statistical information of the above factors.

After collecting the communication features, that is, the CRI and path characteristics, the media download application performs path selection, and cooperates with the MMS 314, the remote path management software, other communication software 310, 311, and/or other necessary network nodes. Start downloading the media stream. In general, some of the path characteristics do not change if the communication association does not change, such as maximum bandwidth performance or peak bandwidth requirements. Other parameters in the path characteristics change frequently with delays, loads, and interference levels. Similarly, the CRI associated with each communication application will also change as some events occur, for example, in an idle communication state, not running, or experiencing unexpected high density applications. If the change in CRI and/or path characteristics imposes a limit on its ability to support current CRI conditions, the media download application will re-select the path, with MMS 314, remote multi-path management software, other communication software 310, 311, and/or other The necessary network nodes work together to seamlessly switch paths. Similarly, local multi-path management software, MMS 314, or remote multi-path management software running on other network nodes can perform path selection, path reselection, and manage seamless switching when needed. For example, the MMS 314 can periodically collect CRI (eg, from user and communication applications, as well as through monitoring activities) and path characteristics (eg, from users, through monitoring activities, and from network nodes on available paths). Once collected, the MMS 314 uses these CRI and path features to select or reselect the path as needed. The MMS 314 can also store the acquired communication features into the storage system 304.

The path selection process includes allocating one or more available paths for each communication application in any manner, and the available paths may be the entire path or a part of the paths. For example, the allocation operation includes: 1) assigning the first path to The first communication application allocates the second path to the second communication application; 2) assigning the first path to the uplink data flow of the first application, and assigning the second path to the downlink data flow of the first application; 3) A path is assigned to the first application and a portion of the second application, and the second path is assigned to the remaining portion of the second application. When the new communication application is started or other communication applications are closed, and the communication characteristics are changed, the path is redistributed when needed, and the paths are seamlessly switched.

For example, the media download application can be associated with the second wired upstream interface 343 via a path selection process. If such a selection is made, the media download application will control the MMS 314 to transfer all communication data corresponding to the media download application through the second wired upstream interface 343. Thereafter, when the multi-path client device 300 receives a download data from the Internet backbone through the optical fiber data network and the second wired uplink interface 343, the downloaded data is forwarded to the media download application. The multi-path client device 300 can send and receive control data (if necessary) corresponding to the download through the selected second path. The MMS 314 assists in controlling the transfer of packet data via the path selected by the media download application.

In response to the music video selection, the media download application 310 needs to send the selected music video request to the Internet backbone. The sub-driver corresponding to the second cable interface 343 controls the first packet containing the selected music video request to be transmitted through the second cable interface 343. The second wired interface 343 (ie, the hardware associated with the second wired interface 343) sends the first data to the second access point using the second IP address. The selected music video request eventually reaches the Internet backbone through the selected path (ie, the path corresponding to the second wired interface 343). The Internet backbone forwards the first data to the Internet server. The Internet server storing the selected music video responds to the request and sends the selected music video to the Internet backbone. The media download application 310 controls the multi-path client device 300 to receive the selected music video from the Internet backbone over the selected path. The second cable interface 343 receives the selected music video from the second access point (which is connected to the Internet backbone via the fiber data network) using the second IP address.

In another embodiment, a media download application that uses multiple communication features (path features and CRI) decides to select two paths from among the four available paths for use. The reason why the media download application made such a decision may be that the selected music video is large, the data flow on all four available uplink paths is large, the reliability is improved, and the error is corrected. The media download application controls a portion of the packet data corresponding to the selected music video to be transmitted through the first path and the first wired uplink interface 342, while controlling the remaining portion of the selected music video to be performed through the second path and the second wired uplink interface 343. Transfer. The media download application 310 may decide to receive a portion of the packets by the first path and receive the remaining packets through the second path. The media download application 310 may also decide to receive the selected music video through the first path and the second path by other combinations. This and other multipath selection and use requires the participation of a download source device, that is, a terminal device such as a server or another client device. The path management software (that is, MMS314) on the source device and the destination device cooperate with each other to segment the data flow transmitted between the two, and reorganize the segment data according to the reception condition. In fact, any method that uses multiple paths to support a single communication application on one terminal device and a single communication application on another terminal device can be done by two communication applications and/or two basic path management applications. . Thus, in addition to the CRI and path features, the local path selection process can also include determining the CRI of the far end communication application (which will determine the performance of the far end communication device), as well as the characteristics of the far end path. By using the available local and remote communication features, the local communication application and/or the local MMS can not only better perform local path selection, but also control, suggest or agree to the corresponding remote path selection results.

As mentioned above, the path reselection process can be triggered by a variety of factors. For example, at some point, the quality of the first path drops below the link quality expected by the media download application 310. The media download application 310 responds by selecting another or other path from the third path and the fourth path that satisfies the expected link quality. The media download application 310 reroutes or splits the data flow, replacing the first path with the third and/or fourth path, or supplementing the first path. The MMS 314 interacts with the device sub-driver 316 to transfer the packet data through the selected path. Device sub-driver 316 is a set of software for interacting with MMS 314 and hardware associated with the four upstream interfaces (342, 343, 344, and 345).

A communication application 311 integrated with a support function, such as a telephone call application, also runs on the multi-path client device 300. For example, a running phone call application does not select a path from the four available upstream paths, but assists in this selection process. The phone call application sends its CRI to the MMS 314, which will make a path selection for the phone call application. The CRI may be transmitted upon receipt of the request or through the storage system 304. The user of the multi-path client device 300 enters a phone call setup request using the user input interface 330. The MMS 314 responds to the telephone call setup request, and may also obtain from the telephone call application and/or storage system 304 after determining that the telephone call application has an integrated support function earlier (eg, when the telephone call application is just being executed) The phone call applies the associated CRI. The MMS 314 also obtains multiple path features corresponding to the four communication paths from the storage system 304 and/or interface, or any other network node on the four paths. Using the acquired communication features, the MMS 314 selects from the four available paths for the phone call application or reselects one or more paths as necessary.

For example, the MMS 314 selects a third path via the second wireless uplink interface 345, and controls the device driver corresponding to the second wireless uplink interface 345 to send and receive packet data for the telephone call through the second wireless uplink interface 345. The telephone call between the multi-path client device 300 and the destination terminal connected to the Internet backbone network is transmitted from the multi-path client device 300 to the Internet backbone network through the UMTS network and the four access points. A telephone call from the Internet backbone to the terminal device can be carried by the same UMTS network or some other packet switched network. A telephone call between the Internet backbone network and the destination terminal can be carried by a second MMS running on the destination terminal, and/or one or more MMS selection paths running on any node between the Internet backbone network and the destination terminal.

At some point, the MMS 314 can seamlessly switch to a different path, such as the second path. The switching operation can be performed when the fourth path has failed to satisfy the second communication feature associated with the phone call application. For example, at this moment, the interference on the fourth path exceeds the maximum allowed limit, or the amount of data flow on the UMTS network increases, so that the fourth path between the multi-path client device 300 and the UMTS network cannot support the telephone call. The minimum data rate required. The phone call application 311 running on the multi-path client device 300 may never know that it has switched from the fourth path to the second path. After the handover, the telephone call between the multi-path client device 300 and the Internet backbone is carried by the second access point and the fiber data network.

Alternatively, the MMS 314, the remote path management application, or the communication application 310, when performing the path selection, displays a confirmation request to the user using the multi-path client device 300, with or without receiving the relevant communication feature. Or choose a request. Usually, this display operation can be performed through a screen, and of course, other methods can be used.

The communication application software 310 or 311 may be, for example, an internet browsing application running on a single path or multi-path client device that supports both local and remote multi-path management. For example, to accommodate upstream path selection at the remote internet server, path selection and seamless switching can be performed with the assistance of such an internet browser running on a single path or multi-path client device. Similarly, multipath management software can be loaded onto any end device (that is, a single path or multipath client or server) to assist with remote multipath management. If there are multiple available paths locally, the local multi-path management function can be started with the assistance of the remote when needed. Such assistance provided by the communication application or MMS 314 may include, for example, helping to segment the data through multiple paths, reassembling at the other end, switching, establishing a half-duplex path, changing the network address, and the like.

The communication application software 311 can clarify the progress of the above process and, more importantly, can provide assistance in performing the above process. For example, the communication application software 311 can automatically send current and future requirements and conditions directly to the MMS 314 to assist in the path selection and management process. Based on the plurality of communication features displayed on the multi-path client device 300 screen, four paths can be provided to the user for selection. The user can select more than one of the four available paths. The communication application software 311 notifies the MMS 314 of the selected path in response to the path selection made by the user. If the user selects only one available path from the four available paths, the MMS 314 controls the corresponding sub-driver to transmit the packet data through the selected communication interface. If the user selects two paths from the four available paths, the MMS 314 will control the corresponding two sub-drivers to transfer the packet data through the two selected paths. The MMS 314 will decide which path carries which part of the full data load. The MMS 314 may decide to transmit an alternate data packet through one of the two selected paths, and transmit the remaining data packets through the other of the two selected paths.

In the fourth embodiment, the communication application 312 running on the multi-path client device 300 does not have a multi-path management function. For example, the multimedia messaging application running on the multi-path client device 300 neither directly manages nor assists the MMS 314 in managing the four upstream communication paths of the multi-path client device 300. The user enters a multimedia messaging request using the user input interface 330. The MMS 314 running on the multi-path client device 300 responds to the multimedia message transmission request and acquires the third communication feature 307 of the corresponding multimedia message application 312. By using the third communication feature 307, the MMS 314 determines that the multimedia message application 312 does not have a multi-path management function. The MMS 314 collects the path characteristics of the four paths between the four access points and the corresponding four interfaces (342, 343, 344, and 345) on the multi-path client device 300, and stores these path features in the storage system 304. The MMS 314 updates the stored path characteristics by periodically collecting or user input requests.

In the exemplary embodiment, MMS 314 selects a path corresponding to second wired interface 343 from among four available paths to transmit a multimedia message. In this embodiment, the second wired interface 343 is associated with a second access point that belongs to the fiber optic data network. The MMS 314 running on the multi-path client device 300 controls the corresponding device sub-driver to transmit all the data packets sent and received between the Internet backbone network and the Internet backbone network via the second wired interface 343. The sub-driver 316 is a set of software for driving all the hardware devices corresponding to the first wired uplink interface 342, the second wired uplink interface 343, the first wireless uplink interface 344, and the second wireless uplink interface 345. These hardware devices are uniquely identified by their respective MAC addresses.

The data flow in these four packet data networks changes over time, so the path characteristics also change over time. The MMS 314 running on the multi-path client device 300 collects these path features at fixed time intervals while the multi-path client device 300 transmits multimedia messages to the Internet backbone through the second wired interface 343. The time interval at which the MMS 314 collects these path features is a predetermined value. For example, the level of interference on the second path increases over time. The MMS 314 can be set such that it responds when the level of interference on the selected path exceeds an upper limit. The upper limit value can be a predetermined value. If at some point the interference level on the second path exceeds the upper limit, the MMS 314 running on the multi-path client device 300 can look up the last collected path feature from the remaining three paths (ie, via The path of the first wired uplink interface 342, the path through the first wireless uplink interface 344, and the path via the second wireless uplink interface 345 select one of the alternate paths with the lowest interference. For example, but not limited to, at this time, the path through the first wireless uplink interface 344 has the lowest interference. The MMS 314 controls the sub-driver corresponding to the first wireless uplink interface 344 to drive the hardware, so that the multi-path client device 300 replaces the second wired uplink interface 342 to send and receive data through the first wireless uplink interface 344. The first wireless uplink interface 344 is associated with a third access point that is part of the satellite data network. The hardware associated with the first wireless upstream interface 344 sends multimedia messages to the Internet backbone. The multimedia message eventually reaches the destination device connected to the Internet backbone. The MMS 314 and the corresponding sub-driver switch the path from a high interference path to a lowest interference path at this time without loss of data. The MMS314 can also be configured to respond when the delay in the selected path exceeds the upper limit.

MMS 314 and sub-driver 316 route the data through a path selected by the user. In another embodiment, when the application running on the multi-path client device 300 needs to receive/transmit data from/to the Internet backbone, the MMS 314 searches for the last collected communication feature value and selects from the currently available path. A path. The MMS 314 can select a path based on the type of material received/transmitted from/to the Internet backbone. For example, without limitation, the communication application in this embodiment is a multimedia game application. The multimedia game application has to download a large amount of data, and the waiting time is very short. The MMS 314 running on the multi-path client device 300 responds to the multimedia game application CRI by looking up the most recently collected path feature value and selecting one of the four available paths to provide the highest bandwidth path. In this embodiment, among the four available paths, the path between the second access point and the second wired upstream interface 343 can provide the highest bandwidth. The MMS 314 control device sub-driver 316 running on the multi-path client device 300 performs all of the data transceiving processes required between the post-multimedia game application and the Internet backbone network using the second wired upstream interface 343. Data transfer between the Internet backbone network and the multi-path client device 300 is performed through a fiber optic data network.

In another embodiment, such as, but not limited to, the application is a voice over IP (VoIP) application. The VoIP application needs to send and receive data to and from the Internet backbone. The MMS 314 running on the multi-path client device 300 responds to the VoIP application condition, acquires the most recently collected communication feature, and selects one of the four available paths to provide the lowest latency path. In this embodiment, among the four available paths, the path between the fourth access point and the second wireless upstream interface 345 can provide the lowest delay. The MMS 314 control device sub-driver 316 running on the multi-path client device 300 performs all data transceiving processes required between the VoIP application and the Internet backbone network using the second wireless uplink interface 345. The data transmission and reception process between the multi-path client equipment 300 and the Internet backbone network is performed through the WiMax network.

4 is a schematic diagram of a client device 400 running multiple softwares of the present invention that supports multiple data paths from itself to multiple access points. The client 400 can be a computer, a video game console, a telephone, a television, a set top box, a headset, or any device that runs at least one application that requires a packet to be sent and received with the Internet. If the client device 400 is a computer, for example, without limitation, at least one application running on the computer 400 may be an internet browser (ie, web browsing) application running on layer 7 of the OSI/ISO protocol stack. Users typically interact with Internet browsing applications through a web browser (ie, Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Mozilla Firefox, etc.) displayed on the screen of the computer 400. The Internet browsing application running on the computer 400 triggers the user interface information entered by the user through the user input interface (usually a keyboard and a mouse) to trigger the communication interface of the computer 400 (ie, usually the OSI/ISO protocol stack layer 2 and / or layer 1) sends a request to the Internet requesting that the user select the specified archive material (for example, a web page). The low-level hardware and software running on the computer 400 (that is, the OSI/ISO protocol stack layer 6, layer 5, layer 4, layer 3, layer 2) encapsulates the request into the first group of multiple packets, The first component group is sent to the Internet by the communication interface of the computer 400. The communication interface of computer 400 also receives a second plurality of packets from the Internet containing the requested archive data (i.e., web pages). In the present exemplary embodiment, the data grouping relates to the first component group and the second component group. The low-level hardware and software running on the computer 400 (that is, the OSI/ISO protocol stack layer 6, layer 5, layer 4, layer 3, layer 2) extracts the received archive data from the second group of multiple groups. , forward it to the Internet browsing application (that is, the OSI/ISO protocol stack layer 7). The Internet browsing application displays the received archived information on the screen of the computer 400, that is, the requested web page.

The at least one application running on the computer 400 can be an internet phone application. The first user and the second user using the destination device send and receive voice information. Internet phone applications also run on destination devices. The destination device is connected to the Internet. In this case, the plurality of packets of the first group include the voice of the first user using the computer 400. The plurality of packets of the second group include the voice of the second user using the destination device.

If the client device 400 is a television set and a set top box, for example, without limitation, the at least one application running on the television set and the set top box 400 may be a television program viewing application. In this case, the plurality of packets of the first group include television programs (recording or live multimedia information, such as news programs, football matches, music programs, etc.) sent to the Internet, and the plurality of groups of the second group include Requested TV show.

The client device 400 includes a plurality of communication interfaces. The client device 400 communicates with a plurality of access points through a plurality of data paths. These multiple access points belong to multiple different packet data networks. For example, but not limited to, the client device 400 includes three communication interfaces, a wired interface, a first wireless interface, and a second wireless interface. After booting up, the client device 400 associates itself with the available access points. The access point includes a transceiver that receives the data packets from the customer premises equipment 400 and then sends them to the corresponding packet data network. At the same time, the access point receives the data packet from the corresponding packet data network and then sends it to the client device 400.

For example, but not limited to, at the first moment, the client device 400 is configured with a first access point belonging to the optical fiber data network, a second access point belonging to the IEEE 802.11 network, and a third access belonging to the WiMax network. Point, and the fourth access point belonging to the satellite data network. A fiber optic cable is plugged into the wired interface of the client device 400. After being powered on, the client device 400 associates itself with the first access point, the second access point, and the third access point through a wired interface, a first wireless interface, and a second wireless interface, respectively. The first access point allocates a first IP address to the wired interface of the client device 400. In this way, the client device 400 can communicate with the fiber data network through the wired interface and the first access point using the first IP address. The second access point allocates a second IP address to the first wireless interface of the client device 400. In this way, the client device 400 can communicate with the IEEE 802.11 network through the first wireless interface and the second access point using the second IP address. The third access point allocates a third IP address to the second wireless interface of the client device 400. In this way, the client device 400 can communicate with the WiMax network through the second wireless interface and the third access point using the third IP address. The plurality of access points in communication with the client device 400 include a first access point, a second access point, and a third access point. The plurality of data paths include a first data path between the wired interface and the first access point, a second data path between the first wireless interface and the second access point, a second wireless interface, and a third access point The third data path between. A number of different packet data networks include fiber data networks, IEEE 802.11 networks, and WiMax networks.

The operating system 410 (e.g., Windows XP, UNIX, Linux, etc.) running on the client device 400 interacts with the communications software application. As shown in 414, the communication application software can be integrated with control functions. The communication application software 414 is configured to monitor and manage a plurality of data paths (a first data path, a second data path, and a third data path) between the client device 400 and the Internet. The communication application software 414 will decide which of the plurality of available paths or which data paths to use for packet data exchange between the client device 400 and the Internet. In addition, at some point, the communication application software 414 can also make changes to the decisions made, selecting a different path for packet data exchange. The decision to switch packet data communication to another different path may be triggered by the following events: 1) the associated network of the client device 400 changes, which may be caused by a change in the location of the client device; 2) multiple paths Communication characteristics change, such as data flow, delay, cost, congestion experienced on multiple paths, etc.; 3) communication characteristics of communication application 414 change, such as data type, data load, etc. The communication application software 414 sends the decision to use one or more data paths to the multi-path management software 420 running on the client device 400. The MMS420 controls the lower layer (that is, the sixth layer, the fifth layer, the fourth layer, the third layer, and the second layer of the OSI/ISO protocol stack) and the software control packet data running on the computer 400 via the selected one or Multiple data paths are transmitted. The MMS 420 assists the client device 400 in using the data path selected by the communication application software 414. The communication application software 414 can be a standard web browsing application with a number of new features (ie, IE, Netscape, Mozzila Firefox, etc.). These new features allow the user of the client device 400 to interact with the multi-path management functionality of the communication application software 414.

As shown in 415, the communication application software can be integrated with support functions. The communication application software 415 provides communication features of the communication application to a multi-path management software 420 (MMS) running on the client device 400. The communication characteristics of the communication application software 415 may include the type and size of the material exchanged by the communication application software 415, the minimum data rate, security level, and maximum delay expected by the communication application 415. The communication characteristics of the corresponding communication application software 415 may change over time, and may provide these communication features to the MMS 420 at fixed time intervals or when communication characteristics change. The MMS 420 responds to the packet data transceiving request generated by the communication application software 415 to find the communication characteristics, and uses these communication features to select a data path from the available data paths. The MMS 420 controls the lower layer (that is, the sixth layer, the fifth layer, the fourth layer, the third layer, and the second layer of the OSI/ISO protocol stack) hardware and the software control packet data running on the client device 400 via the selected Data path transfer. The MMS 420 may select more than one data path to serve more than one communication application 415 running on the client device 400. The MMS 420 may also select more than one data path to service a single communication application 415 running on the client device 400, and control a single data payload (i.e., a data packet generated by a single communication application 415) to be transmitted via the selected plurality of paths. It is up to the MMS 420 to decide which of the available data paths or which data paths to use for packet data exchange, while the communication application software 415 assists the MMS 420 in making selection decisions by providing communication features.

As shown in 416, the communication application software may not have multi-path management functionality. The communication application software 416 sends a packet data transceiving request to the MMS 420. This request can be triggered by user input. The MMS 420 should, upon request, select one or more data paths from the available data paths, and control the lower layer hardware and the software running on the client device 400 to transmit the data packets via the selected one or more data paths. The MMS uses the communication characteristics of multiple available paths to select one or more paths. The MMS 420 can also pop up a window on the screen of the client device 400 to display the communication characteristics of the plurality of available paths, such as the traffic carried by these paths, the delays in these paths, the cost, and the congestion experienced by these available paths. The user is prompted to enter a selection. The MMS 420 responds to the user's selection information, and the control packet data is transmitted via the data path selected by the user.

The MMS 420 controls a plurality of low level device drivers (424, 425, 426, and 427). The low-level device driver is a set of software for driving hardware associated with one or more communication interfaces (ie, a wired interface, a first wireless interface, and a second wireless interface) of the client device 400. Single-input single-out (SISO) low-level device driver 427 receives data packets from MMS 420 over a single input line. The SISO device driver 427 controls the exchange of data packets on a single data path. For example, the SISO device driver 427 drives the hardware associated with the first wireless interface. The first wireless interface is associated with the IEEE 802.11 network at a first time. The SISO device driver 427 receives the data packets from the MMS 420 over a single input line. The MMS 420 assigns the IEEE 802.11 network to the second IP address embedded data packet of the first wireless interface. The SISO device driver 427 controls the transmitter associated with the first wireless interface to transmit data packets. The data packet sent by the transmitter associated with the first wireless interface is embedded with a second IP address. Therefore, the second access point belonging to the IEEE 802.11 network receives the data packet transmitted by the transmitter. The SISO device driver 427 controls the receiver associated with the first wireless interface to look up a data packet with a second IP address embedded therein. When the receiver associated with the first wireless interface detects a data packet with a second IP address embedded therein, the receiver receives the data packets and forwards them to the SISO device driver 427. The SISO device driver 427 forwards the received data packet to the MMS 420.

The MMS 420 Control SISO Device Driver 427 collects communication characteristics associated with this single data path, and the data packet exchange on this path is controlled by the SISO Device Driver 427. Physical layer 437 relates to a single data path controlled by SISO device driver 427. These path characteristics may include a delay in the data path, a signal to noise ratio on the data path, and a power required by the transmitter associated with the first wireless interface to maintain a predetermined bit error rate on the data path. The SISO device driver 427 can request the second access point to provide some or all of such communication features, and the SISO device driver 427 then sends these communication features received from the second access point to the MMS 420. The SISO device driver 427 can determine some or all of these communication features by transmitting and receiving training packet data.

The SISO device driver 427 collects these path features associated with this single path at fixed time intervals. For example, but not limited to, the MMS 420 receives a plurality of communication features at a second time, and determines that the delay in the single data path is greater than a predetermined threshold. The MMS 420 can control the SISO device driver 427 to change the association and switch to a new association. The SISO device driver 427 can control the first wireless interface to find an access point that belongs to the wireless packet data network rather than the IEEE 802.11 network. The first wireless interface can now associate itself with a third access point belonging to the WiMax network. The WiMax network can assign a fourth IP address to the first wireless interface. The SISO device driver 427 now controls the data packet exchange on a different path between the first wireless interface and the third access point belonging to the WiMax network. The switching of the path is triggered and managed by the MMS 420, which can occur when the first wireless interface is not transmitting or receiving any packet data with the Internet (except for control data and data containing some or all of the statistical information). The MMS 420 can control the SISO device driver 427 to collect a second set of communication features associated with the different paths from which the data packet exchange on the path is controlled by the SISO device driver 427.

Single-input dual-output (SIDO) low-level device driver 426 receives data packets from MMS 420 over a single input line. The SIDO device driver 426 controls the data packet exchange on the first path 435 and the second path 436. For example, SIDO device driver 426 drives a first hardware associated with the wired interface and a second hardware associated with the first wireless interface. At the first moment, the wired interface is associated with the fiber optic data network, and the first wireless interface is associated with the IEEE 802.11 network. The SIDO device driver 426 receives the data packets from the MMS 420 over a single input line. The MMS 420 control SIDO device driver 426 collects a plurality of communication features of the first group associated with the first path 435, the first path 435 being present between the wired interface and the first access point belonging to the fiber data network. The MMS 420 also controls the SIDO device driver 426 to collect a plurality of communication features of the second group associated with the second path 436, the second path 436 being present between the first wireless interface and a second access point belonging to the IEEE 802.11 network . The MMS 420 selects a path between the first path 435 and the second path 436 using a plurality of communication features of the first group and the second group. The MMS 420 can be set to select the path that provides the lowest interference at the specified time. The MMS 420 can also be set to select the path that provides the highest bandwidth at a given time.

For example, without limitation, the second path 436 can provide a higher bandwidth than the first path 435. Prior to transmitting the data packet to the SIDO device driver 426, the MMS 420 assigns the IEEE 802.11 network to the second IP address embedded data packet of the first wireless interface. The MMS 420 controls the SIDO device driver 426 to send and receive data packets through the second path 436. The SIDO device driver 426 controls a second hardware transmit data packet associated with the first wireless interface. A second IP address is embedded in the data packet sent by the second hardware associated with the first wireless interface. Therefore, the second access point belonging to the IEEE 802.11 network receives the data packet transmitted by the above transmitter. The SIDO device driver 426 controls the second hardware to look up the data packet embedded with the second IP address. When the second hardware detects the data packet embedded with the second IP address, the second hardware receives the data packet and forwards it to the SIDO device driver 426. The SIDO device driver 426 forwards the received data packet to the MMS 420.

At the second moment, the client device 400 moves to a new location. At this time, its communication association with the second access point has been lost. The first wireless interface looks up the available wireless packet data network. For example, the first wireless interface is associated with a fourth access point that is part of an IEEE 802.11 network. The fourth access point allocates a fourth IP address to the first wireless interface. At this time, the second path 436 refers to a communication path between the first wireless interface and the fourth access point. The MMS 420 control SIDO device driver 426 collects a plurality of communication features of the first set associated with the first path 435 and a plurality of communication features of the third set associated with the new second path 436. The MMS 420 determines that at the second time, the first path 435 between the wired interface and the first access point can provide a higher bandwidth than the new second path 436. The MMS 420 then controls the SIDO device driver 426 to route the data packets through the first path 435, and stops transmitting and receiving the data packets through the new second path 436. Before the data packet is sent to the SIDO device driver 426, the MMS 420 embeds the first IP address assigned by the first access point belonging to the fiber data network into the data packet, so that the SIDO device driver 426 can control the data packet. Transfer via the first path 435.

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) device driver 424 receives data packets from MMS 420 over three input lines, that is, MIMO device driver 424 receives data packets generated by three different applications running on client device 400. The MIMO device driver 424 controls data packet switching on the first path 432 and the second path 433. For example, MIMO device driver 424 drives a first hardware associated with the first wireless interface and a second hardware associated with the second wireless interface. At a first moment, the first wireless interface is associated with a second access point that is part of an IEEE 802.11 network, and the second wireless interface is associated with a third access point that belongs to the WiMax network. The MIMO device driver 424 receives the data packets from the MMS 420 over three input lines. For example, the client device 400 runs a game application, a web browsing application, and an internet phone application. All of the communication applications listed here do not have multipath management capabilities. The MIMO device driver 424 receives a first set of data packets corresponding to the gaming application via the three input lines, a second set of data packets corresponding to the web browsing application, and a third set of data packets corresponding to the internet telephony application.

The MMS 420 selects a higher bandwidth path from the first path 432 and the second path 433 and then controls the MIMO device driver 424 to route the first plurality of data packets corresponding to the gaming application over the path having the higher bandwidth. If the gaming application is not running on the control device at the second time, the MMS 420 will control the MIMO device driver 424 to route the third set of data packets corresponding to the Internet telephony application over the path with the higher bandwidth. For example, but not limited to, at a third time, the second path 433 between the second wireless interface and the third access point belonging to the WiMax network is disconnected. At this point, the second wireless interface associates itself with a fifth access point that belongs to the IEEE 802.11 network. The first path 432 refers to the path between the first wireless interface and the second access point belonging to the IEEE 802.11 network. The second path 433 refers to a path between the second wireless interface and a fifth access point belonging to the IEEE 802.11 network.

At a third time, the first path 432 and the second path 433 provide the same amount of bandwidth. At this point, the MMS 420 will control the MIMO device driver 424 to route the first set of profiles corresponding to the gaming application over a path with lower interference. The MMS 420 is responsible for selecting a path from a plurality of paths (eg, the first path 432 and the second path 433) by controlling the lower layer device drivers (one or more of 424, 425, 426, and 427) and corresponding hardware (eg, , the transmitter and the receiver) interact to maintain the packet data exchange on the selected path. The MMS 420 and the lower layer device drivers (one or more of 424, 425, 426, and 427) can acquire a plurality of communication features corresponding to the plurality of paths, and seamlessly switch to a new path using the acquired communication features to continue Data packet exchange.

For example, at the first moment, the client device 400 is associated with the first access point belonging to the fiber data network through its wired interface, and the second access point belonging to the IEEE 802.11 network through its first wireless interface. Connected to the third access point belonging to the WiMax network through the second wireless interface. Therefore, the client device 400 can exchange packet data with the Internet through any one or more of the three available paths, the first path between the first access point and the wired interface, and the second path. a second path between the access point and the first wireless interface, and a third path between the third access point and the second wireless interface. At this first moment, the client device 400 launches the internet telephony application. The internet phone application has integrated control functions. The internet telephony application 414 receives communication features from the MMS 420 that correspond to the three available paths. The internet telephony application 414 uses these communication features to select a path from among the three available paths, and the MMS 420 controls the transmission of the voice packet stream via the selected path. For example, the internet telephony application 414 determines that among the three available paths, the first path can provide the lowest cost, so the first path is selected to exchange voice packets. At the second moment, the internet telephony application 414 begins transmitting video packets while transmitting voice packets. The internet phone application selects another path from the remaining two available paths. For example, the internet telephony application 414 determines that in all three paths (the first path, the second path, and the third path), the second path can provide the highest bandwidth and then use the second path to send video packets to the Internet. From the second moment on, the internet telephony application 414 exchanges voice packets using the first path and transmits the video packets using the second path. At the second moment, the third path is in an idle state.

At the third moment, the internet telephony application 414 wants to exchange control profile packets with the internet (or terminal devices connected to the internet). The internet telephony application 414 knows that the control profile needs to be transmitted on the most secure path. The internet telephony application 414 determines that among the three paths, the first path is the safest path. But at this point the voice packet is being transmitted via the first path. The internet telephony application 414 controls the MMS 420 to transmit voice packets via a third path, transmitting control profile packets via the first path. The internet telephony application 414 controls the seamless switching of voice packets from the first path to the third path to continue transmission so that no voice packet loss occurs during the handover process. From the third moment, the client device 400 transmits the control data packet through the first path, transmits the video packet through the second path, and exchanges the voice packet with the Internet through the third path.

5 is a schematic diagram of an access point 500 running multiple softwares of the present invention that supports a first plurality of data paths from itself to a plurality of client devices, and from itself to a packet switched network The second set of multiple data paths of the road. Access point 500 is associated with a packet switched network and a plurality of client devices. The access point and packet switched network can use the same protocol, and the access point uses the protocol to communicate with the packet switched network. The access point allocates multiple IP addresses to multiple client devices. The access point 500 includes at least one transceiver that receives a first plurality of data packets from the packet switched network through one of the second plurality of data paths, and determines a first plurality of the plurality of client devices The destination device of the data packet, and then sends the received data packet to the determined user equipment. The transceiver also receives a second set of data packets from one or more of the plurality of access points and then sends the second plurality of data packets to the packet switched network via one of the second plurality of data paths. A multi-path management software (MMS) 550 operating on the access point 500 selects one of the second plurality of data paths for data packet exchange between the access point and the packet data network.

For example, without limitation, access point 500 is associated with a WiMax network through first path 570, second path 572, and third path 574. The second plurality of data paths refer to a first path 570, a second path 572, and a third path 574. The dual input single output (DISO) device driver 560 is a set of software for driving the first hardware circuit corresponding to the first path 570. The first hardware circuit corresponding to the first path 570 includes at least a first transceiver for transmitting and receiving data packets through the first path 570. In the present embodiment, the first path 570 is the first wireless path between the access point 500 and a hub or switch belonging to the WiMax network or another access point. The data packets transmitted through the first path 570 comply with the WiMax protocol. The WiMax network assigns a first IP address to the first path 570. The DISO device driver 560 receives the data packets from the MMS 550 through the first input path and the second input path. The DISO device driver 560 is configured to forward data packets from the first input path and the second input path to a first hardware circuit corresponding to the first path 570.

The MMS 550 can control the DISO device driver 560 to collect the first path feature corresponding to the first path 570. The first path feature may include an IP address assigned to the first path 570 by the WiMax network (ie, the first IP address), a delay on the first path 570, a data flow on the first path 570, and a first path. The cost of 570, the hops used by the first path 570, and the like. The first path feature changes over time. The MMS 550 can control the DISO device driver 560 to periodically collect the first path features. The MMS 550 can receive the first path feature from the DISO device driver 560 and store it in the storage system of the access point 500. The MMS 550 can also retrieve the first path feature from the second storage system as needed. One or more of the first path characteristics may be factory set values that are stored in the storage system of access point 500.

The single-input dual-output (SIDO) device driver 565 is a set of software for driving a second hardware circuit corresponding to the second path 572 and driving a third hardware circuit corresponding to the third path 574. The second and third hardware circuits respectively include at least a second transceiver and a third transceiver, respectively, for transmitting and receiving data packets through the second path 572 and the third path 574, respectively. In the present embodiment, the second path 572 and the third path 574 are the second wireless path and the third wireless path between the access point 500 and the same or different hubs or switches in the WiMax network, respectively. The WiMax network assigns a second IP address and a third IP address to the second path 572 and the third path 574, respectively. The SIDO device driver 565 receives the data packets from the MMS 550 through a single input path, and can forward the data packets from the single input path to the second hardware circuit corresponding to the second path 572 or the corresponding third path 574 under the monitoring of the MMS 550. Three hardware circuits. The MMS 550 controllable SIDO device driver 565 periodically collects second path features and third path features corresponding to the second path 572 and the third path 574, respectively, and sends them to the MMS 550. The MMS 550 can also acquire the second path feature and the third path feature from the second storage system as needed.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the MMS 550 is configured to control packet data generated by any application running on the access point 500 through three paths, namely, the first path 570, the second path 572, and the third path 574. The lowest delayed path is transmitted. For example, without limitation, a video download application runs on the access point 500. The video download application downloads (receives) an archived video file from the internet. The access point 500 is connected to the Internet via a WiMax network. The access point 500 can connect to the WiMax network through any of the first path 570, the second path 572, and the third path 574. The MMS 550 operating on the access point 500 has a first path feature, a second path feature, and a third path feature. The MMS 550 determines from the first path 570, the second path 572, and the third path 574 which path that provides the lowest delay using the first path feature, the second path feature, and the third path feature. For example, the second path 572 can provide the lowest latency. The MMS 550 controls the SIDO device driver 565 to receive data packets corresponding to the archived video files from the Internet via the second path 572. The SIDO device driver 565 controls the second hardware corresponding to the second path to receive a data packet corresponding to the archived video file from the Internet. The SIDO device driver 565 forwards the received data packets to the MMS 550, which forwards the data packets to the video download application.

For example, but not limited to, a dual input dual output (DIDO) device driver 510 drives a fifth hardware and a sixth hardware corresponding to the dual path 530. The first client device is connected to the fifth hardware and the sixth hardware of the access point 500 through the dual path 530. The MMS 550 controls the DIDO device driver 510 to collect path features corresponding to the dual path 530. The first client device sends a request to the access point whenever it wants to receive/send a data packet from/to the access point. The MMS 550, in response to a request from the client device, selects a path from the dual path 530 using the path characteristics of the corresponding dual path 530. The MMS 550 controls the client device to receive/transmit data from/to the access point using the path selected from the dual path 530. The MMS 550 controls the DIDO device driver 510 to send and receive data packets with the first client device using the hardware corresponding to the selected path.

6 is a flow diagram of the functions performed by the computing device protocol layer of the present invention, the computing device supporting multiple paths from itself to the Internet, and the computing device running a communication application that does not have multi-path management functionality. As shown in step 604, the uppermost layer of the computing device runs an internet browser. This Internet browsing application does not have multi-path management capabilities. The user who uses the internet browser enters a user selection. This user selection may point to a web page. The internet browser generates a request profile and requests the selected web page from the internet. As shown in step 606, the lower protocol layer encrypts and/or encodes the request data. By performing encryption and/or encoding, it is possible to avoid possible errors in requesting material when transmitted over physical media. As shown in step 608, the next lower layer protocol layer selects a communication protocol, and the computing device (i.e., the hardware and/or software of the computing device) uses the protocol to receive/transmit data information from/to the Internet. As shown in step 610, the lower lower protocol layer segments the request data and then loads the packet into the packet. The computing device includes at least an Ethernet wireless module, an IEEE 802.11 wireless module, and a GPRS wireless module. The computing device uses an Ethernet wireless module, an IEEE 802.11 wireless module, and a GPRS wireless module to connect to the Internet through an Ethernet local area network (LAN), an IEEE 802.11 network, and a GRPS network. As shown in step 614, the Ethernet wireless module is uniquely identified by the first MAC address. As shown in step 616, the IEEE 802.11 wireless module is uniquely identified by the second MAC address. As shown in step 618, the GPRS wireless module is uniquely identified by the third MAC address. Therefore, the computing device is connected to the Internet through at least three communication paths, the first path implemented by the Ethernet wireless module, the second path implemented by the IEEE 802.11 wireless module, and the GPRS wireless module. The third path to achieve. As shown in step 612, the second next lower protocol layer calculates the cost of each path between the computing device and the Internet at a fixed time interval. The cost of each path is related to the cost of the corresponding path, the amount of data flow on the corresponding path, the delay in the corresponding path, and the interference in the corresponding path. The parameters related to the cost of each path change over time. The second lower layer protocol acquires these parameters at regular intervals and then calculates the cost of updating each path. As shown in step 612, the second lower layer protocol layer receives from step 610 a packet containing the requested material. The second lower layer protocol layer controls the packets containing the requested material to be transmitted through the least cost path of these paths. These packets arrive at the physical layer (wired or wireless) through the lowest cost path. If the lowest cost path is the first path implemented by the Ethernet wireless module, the first IP address will be embedded in the packet. If the lowest cost path is the second path implemented by the IEEE 802.11 wireless module, the second IP address is embedded in the packet. If the lowest cost path is the third path implemented by the GPRS wireless module, the third IP address is embedded in the packet. Packets embedded with IP addresses arrive at the Internet through the selected lowest cost path.

In another embodiment, after receiving the packet containing the request material from step 610, the second lower layer protocol layer controls the packet to be transmitted via more than one path. For example, the second lower layer protocol layer selects two paths from among multiple paths. The two selected paths correspond to the two least cost paths of the multiple paths. The second lower layer protocol divides the received packets into two groups having the same number of packets, and controls the first group to be transmitted via one of the two selected paths, and the remaining packets are transmitted via the other of the two selected paths. . The first group of packets arrives at the physical medium via one of the two selected paths, and the second group of groups arrives at the physical medium via the other of the two selected paths. The second lower layer protocol layer can also divide the received packets into two groups with different number of packets. The second lower layer protocol layer can control a group of packets with a large number of packets to be transmitted via the lowest cost path, and a group of packets with a small number of control packets is transmitted via the second lowest cost path.

7 is a flow diagram of a method of a communication application running on a computing device of the present invention managing a plurality of communication paths between the computing device and at least one packet data network. The computing device can be a personal computer, a telephone, a set top box associated with the television, or any type of device that can communicate with the packet data network. The at least one packet switched network may be a wired network, a fiber network, a satellite data network, a WiMax network, an IEEE 802.11 network, a UMTS network, a GPRS network, a CDMA network, or may segment data Any type of standard or private data network that is placed in a packet for transmission. Data refers to one or more of video, audio, music videos, video games, voice conversations, pictures, text messages, television programs, and any instant or archived multimedia information.

At step 705, the computing device is powered on and the operating system (OS) of the device (eg, Windows XP, Linux, Unix, etc.) begins to boot. At step 705, the operating system (OS) launches the multipath management software (MMS). The computing device includes a plurality of communication interfaces. The computing device, upon powering up, begins associating each communication interface with at least one packet data network. The computing device can attempt to associate its communication interface with a plurality of packet data networks. The computing device can be a personal computer, and the personal computer can include a first communication interface, a second communication interface, and a third communication interface. The personal computer can associate the first communication interface with the first access point belonging to the IEEE 802.11 network when the computer is turned on. Therefore, a first communication path is established between the first communication interface and the first access point belonging to the IEEE 802.11 network. The personal computer can also associate the second communication interface with a second access point that belongs to the WiMax network. Therefore, a second communication path is established between the second communication interface and the second access point belonging to the WiMax network. The personal computer can also associate the third communication interface with a third access point that is part of the UMTS network. Therefore, a third communication path is established between the third communication interface and the third access point belonging to the UMTS network. In this embodiment, the first, second, and third communication interfaces are wireless interfaces. One or more of the first, second, and third communication interfaces may also be wired interfaces. In this case, the personal computer can associate the wired interface with a wired packet data network. The plurality of communication paths refer to the first, second, and third communication paths. The MMS running on the personal computer manages and monitors the first, second, and third communication paths.

As shown in step 705, after startup, the MMS begins analyzing, monitoring multiple communication interfaces of the computing device, and a plurality of associated communication paths. In the next step 707, a communication application will be launched. The communication application has built-in multipath control. As shown in step 709, the communication application requests the MMS running on the personal computer (computing device) to delegate the path control and monitoring tasks to the communication application. The communication application can be a multimedia file download application, a video game application, an internet browsing application, an internet telephony application, a teleconference application, or any other type of application that requires packet data to be sent and received between the computing device (computer) and the Internet. The MMS may allow the communication application to control and monitor multiple communication paths (first, second, and third communication paths). In another embodiment, the MMS may allow the communication application to control these paths while the MMS continues to monitor these communication paths and periodically report the patency of these communication paths to the communication application.

For example, without limitation, at step 709, the MMS periodically monitors these communication paths and hands the path control functions to the communication application running on the computing device. The MMS collects path features from three communication interfaces (a wired interface, a first wireless interface, and a second wireless interface). These path characteristics typically include the cost of three paths (first, second, and third communication paths), the maximum data rate and bandwidth supported by the three paths, the delay in the three paths, and the amount of data flow on the three paths. The MMS stores these path features in the memory of the computing device. As shown in step 711, the communication application can retrieve these path features from the MMS or memory. The communication application may also prompt the user of the computing device to enter a user selection. The communication application uses the user to select one or more paths from the three communication paths for packet data exchange. The communication application can also use default or pre-set values for these communication interfaces. For example, the maximum data rate supported by the wired interface can be preset, and the preset value is stored in the memory of the computing device. The communication application selects one or more paths from the three communication paths for packet data exchange using a preset value stored in the computing device.

In the next step 713, the communication application selects one or more paths from the three communication paths. The communication application uses the acquired path features for path selection. For example, the communication application requires the use of a communication path that provides at least the minimum data rate required. The communication application can also select the path using the communication application conditions, that is, the minimum required data rate. For example, without limitation, the communication application requires that the minimum data transfer rate between the computing device and the Internet be higher than the minimum data rate required. The communication application analyzes the three communication paths and determines that none of the three paths can support the minimum data rate required, but if the first path and the third path are used simultaneously, the minimum data rate required can be achieved. The communication application divides the data packets it generates into two parts, the first portion of the control data packet being transmitted via the first communication interface, and the second portion of the data packet being transmitted via the third communication interface. Similarly, the communication application receives a portion of the data packet through the first communication interface and receives the remainder of the data packet through the third communication interface.

As shown in step 715, the MMS typically updates these path characteristics at regular intervals because these path characteristics often change over time. The communication application periodically acquires these path characteristics from the MMS. At step 709, if the MMS hands over the path monitoring task to the communication application, then at step 715, the communication application periodically collects the path features from three communication interfaces and/or three access points. These path characteristics may change over time, and at some point, the first path may not provide the minimum data rate required for the communication application. This may be due to a surge in the amount of data flow in the IEEE 802.11 network at that time, or an increase in the interference level in the first path. The communication application responds to the path feature change, selects a different path, and controls the data packet to be transmitted via the newly selected path. As shown in step 717, from the moment on, the communication application stops using the first path. As shown in step 715, the MMS and/or the communication application continue to monitor the three paths.

The operating system of the computing device can also launch a second communication application. The second communication application may have a higher priority than the currently running communication application. The second communication application takes over the communication path control function from the currently running communication application. The second communication application selects the path from the three paths using the path characteristics, the user selection, and the communication conditions of the second communication application and the currently running communication application. As shown in step 719, the second communication application control data packet is transmitted via the selected path. If the second communication application decides to control the data packet corresponding to the currently running communication application to be transmitted via the second communication interface, the second communication application ensures that the currently operating communication application communicates the data communication from the first communication interface and the third communication The data packet is not lost during the interface switching to the second communication interface. If the priority of the second communication application is equal to or lower than the communication application currently running, the currently running communication application selects an available communication path for use by the second communication application. In the present exemplary embodiment, the currently running communication application transmits all of the packet data corresponding to the second communication application via the only available second communication path.

8 is a flow diagram of a method for managing multiple communication paths between a computing device and at least one packet data network, supported by a communication application, by a multi-path management software running on a computing device. The computing device can be a personal computer, a telephone, a set top box associated with the television, an access point belonging to a packet data network, or any type of device that can communicate with a packet data network. The at least one packet switched network may be a wired network, a fiber network, a satellite data network, a WiMax network, an IEEE 802.11 network, a UMTS network, a GPRS network, a CDMA network, or may segment data Any type of standard or private data network that is placed in a packet for transmission. Data refers to one or more of video, audio, music videos, video games, voice conversations, pictures, text messages, television programs, and any instant or archived multimedia information.

At step 805, the computing device is powered on, and the operating system (OS) of the device (eg, Windows XP, Linux, Unix, etc.) begins to boot. At step 805, the operating system (OS) launches the multipath management software (MMS). The computing device includes a plurality of communication interfaces. The computing device, upon powering up, begins associating each communication interface with at least one packet data network. If the computing device is an access point, the computing device (access point) attempts to associate to the same packet data network. If the computing device is a client device, such as a personal computer, headset, or telephone, the computing device can attempt to associate the communication interface with a plurality of types of packet data networks. The computing device can be a personal computer that can have a first communication interface, a second communication interface, and a third communication interface. The personal computer can associate the first communication interface with the first access point belonging to the IEEE 802.11 network when the computer is turned on. Therefore, a first communication path is established between the first communication interface and the first access point belonging to IEEE 802.11. The personal computer can also associate the second communication interface with a second access point that belongs to the WiMax network. Therefore, a second communication path is established between the second communication interface and the second access point belonging to the WiMax network. The personal computer can also associate the third communication interface with a third access point that is part of the UMTS network. Therefore, a third communication path is established between the third communication interface and the third access point belonging to the UMTS network. In this embodiment, the first, second, and third communication interfaces are wireless interfaces. One or more of the first, second, and third communication interfaces may also be wired interfaces. In this case, the personal computer can associate the wired interface with a wired packet data network. The plurality of communication paths refer to the first, second, and third communication paths. The MMS running on the personal computer manages and monitors the first, second, and third communication paths.

As shown in step 805, after startup, the MMS begins monitoring multiple communication interfaces of the computing device and associated multiple communication paths. At next step 807, the first communication application and the second communication application are launched. Both the first and second communication applications have built-in multipath support. The first communication application requires the use of a communication path that provides at least the minimum data rate required. The first CRI, that is, the minimum required data rate corresponding to the first communication application, can be stored in the storage system. In the next step 809, the MMS obtains the first CRI from the storage system or receives the first CRI from the first communication application. In step 809, if the first CRI does not exist in the storage system, the MMS prompts the user to input the first CRI. The MMS receives the first CRI input by the user through the user input interface of the computing device. The user input interface of the computing device can be a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, a plurality of buttons, and the like. If the user does not enter the first CRI at step 809, the MMS will use the default or pre-set values at step 809. For example, the first communication application may be a web browsing application. The bandwidth value of the corresponding web browsing application may be stored in the storage system of the computing device. The manufacturer of the computing device can set the bandwidth value. The MMS obtains the preset bandwidth value from the storage device, and selects one communication path from the three available communication paths in the next step 811, and the bandwidth of the selected path is greater than or equal to the preset bandwidth value.

At step 809, the MMS also receives a second CRI corresponding to the second communication application, the second communication application being initiated at step 807. The second CRI may include a maximum delay that the second communication application can tolerate, and a minimum signal to noise ratio required by the second communication application. If the computing device is an access point, that is, the MMS is running on an access point, such as a first access point, rather than a personal computer, then the MMS running at the first access point passes the first communication in step 809. The path receives from the personal computer a first CRI corresponding to the first communication application and a second CRI corresponding to the second communication application.

At step 809, the MMS also acquires a plurality of path features. If the MMS is running on a client device such as a personal computer, the path feature refers to the characteristics of the three communication paths (first, second, and third communication paths) between the personal computer and the Internet. The characteristics corresponding to a path typically include the amount of data on the path, the interference in the path, the cost associated with the path, and the like. If the MMS is running on an access point, such as a first access point, the path feature refers to a feature associated with an uplink path between the access point and the Internet, and with the access point and the client device The characteristics associated with the downstream path. The first communication path between the personal computer and the first access point is one of all downstream paths of the access point. The path characteristics of the first access point include features corresponding to the first path. The MMS acquires the path feature from the associated communication interface, the associated access point, or any other node in the associated packet data network.

The MMS running on the computing device can operate in three modes: A) The MMS decides which of the available paths to use to transmit and receive packet data corresponding to the first communication application and the second communication application. At step 811, the MMS uses the first CRI, the second CRI, and the path characteristics to make the above decision. As shown in step 809, the first CRI and the second CRI may be collected directly or indirectly. B) The MMS sends the collected first CRI, second CRI, and path characteristics to the access point or any other node of the associated packet data network. In this case, the MMS does not assume the path selection task shown in step 811. C) The MMS running on the computing device performs path selection in conjunction with one or more MMSs running on any other node of the associated packet data network. For example, an MMS running on a personal computer and a second MMS running on an IEEE 802.11 network server can jointly determine to use a first path between the personal computer and the first access point to send and receive packets belonging to the first communication application. data.

For example, but not limited to, the MMS running on the personal computer knows the first path between the personal computer (computing device) and the first access point, the second path between the personal computer (computing device) and the second access point And a third path between the personal computer (computing device) and the third access point can be used to send and receive data to and from the Internet. At step 811, the MMS selects one of the three available communication paths that satisfies the first CRI (ie, the lowest data rate that can satisfy the first communication application). There may be more than one path that satisfies the first CRI. MMS can randomly select a path from more than one path. At step 811, the MMS controls the personal computer to send and receive data packets required or generated by the first communication application to the Internet using the selected path until the next instruction of the MMS is received. At step 811, the personal computer sends a first web page request to the Internet via the selected path. The personal computer receives the requested web page (in the form of group data) from the Internet through the selected path.

If the computing device is the first access point, then in step 811, the MMS running on the first access point determines whether the unique path (ie, the first communication path) between the personal computer and the first access point is Meet the first CRI. If yes, the MMS running on the first access point controls the access point to use the first communication path to carry the packet data corresponding to the first communication application.

The MMS running on the personal computer selects another path that satisfies the second CRI (i.e., the maximum delay that the second communication application can tolerate and the minimum signal to noise ratio required by the second communication application). At step 811, the MMS controls the personal computer to send and receive data packets required or generated by the second communication application to the Internet using the selected path until the next instruction of the MMS is received.

As shown in step 813, the MMS running on the computing device (personal computer or first access point) periodically monitors the selected path and other available communication paths and CRIs. If at some point, the path used by the first communication application cannot satisfy the first CRI, then in the next step 815, the MMS selects a different path from the other available communication paths that satisfies the first CRI, and controls the first communication application. The different path is used instead of the previous path for data packet switching until the next instruction of the MMS is received. As shown in step 813, the MMS continues to periodically monitor all available paths between the computing device and the Internet. At step 813, similarly, the MMS periodically monitors the path used by the second communication application, and in step 815, based on the second CRI and the patency and/or characteristics of the path (eg, the bandwidth provided by the path, the The delay in the path, the amount of data flowing through the path, etc.) controls the change in the path used. At step 815, the MMS may change the path used by the second communication application because the delay in the path may have exceeded the upper limit specified in the second CRI.

As shown in step 817, the computing device can receive a path establishment request from the third communication application. In step 817, the first or second communication application may stop working. In all of these cases, as shown in step 817, the MMS needs to re-evaluate the available communication paths between the computing device (personal computer or access point) and the Internet (or client device) and make new decisions. The decision is about which communication application uses which communication path.

9 is a flow diagram of a method for a multi-path management software running on a computing device to independently manage multiple communication paths between the computing device and at least one packet data network. At step 905, the computing device is powered on and its operating system (OS) is booted. At step 905, the operating system (OS) launches the multipath management software (MMS). For example, but not limited to, the computing device includes a plurality of communication interfaces, and after booting up, associates itself with a plurality of packet data networks, specifically, through a corresponding communication interface and a corresponding packet data network. Establish this association. The MMS running on the computing device manages and monitors these associations.

In the next step 907, a plurality of communication applications are launched. The computing system's operating system can launch these communication applications when the device is booted. Typical examples of these communication applications are operating system updates or virus database updates. The user can enter their selection using the user input interface of the computing device. This selection triggers the launch of the communication application. Typical examples of such communication applications are telephone call applications, internet telephony applications, media download applications, and the like. At next step 909, the MMS receives a path setup request from the plurality of communication applications initiated in step 907. These communication applications do not have multipath management capabilities. These communication applications are also unable to provide MMS with any information about the characteristics of these communication applications.

At step 909, the MMS responds to the path setup request received from the plurality of communication interfaces to acquire a plurality of path features. If the MMS is running on a client device such as a personal computer, a telephone, a set top box, etc., the path characteristics refer to the characteristics of the upstream communication path between the communication interfaces of the computing device and the associated packet data network. Features corresponding to these paths typically include the amount of data on the path, the interference on the path, the cost of the path, and the like. If the MMS is operating on an access point, these path characteristics refer to the characteristics of the uplink path between the access point and the Internet, and the characteristics of the downstream path between the access point and the associated client device. The MMS obtains from these communication interfaces the path characteristics of the corresponding access point or any other node in the associated packet data network.

As shown in step 909, the MMS can also look up default or pre-set features for these communication interfaces. For example, the manufacturer of the computing device's wired interface can set the maximum data rate supported by the wired interface. At step 909, the MMS obtains the predetermined maximum data rate value from the memory of the computing device. The predetermined maximum data rate can tell the MMS to transmit the data packet via the wired interface at less than or equal to the preset maximum data rate. Attempting to perform packet switching at a higher data rate will result in loss of data packets or data packet reception errors.

The MMS running on the computing device can operate in three modes: A) The MMS decides which of the available paths or which paths to use to send and receive packet data corresponding to these communication applications. At step 911, the MMS uses the path characteristics and/or preset values to make the above decision. B) The MMS sends the collected path feature values to the access point or any other node in the associated packet data network. In this case, the MMS does not assume the path selection task in step 911. C) The MMS running on the computing device performs path selection in conjunction with one or more MMSs running on any other node of the associated packet data network.

After collecting the path characteristics, the MMS can display these path characteristics to the user. The MMS can display these path features on the screen of the computing device. After receiving the MMS prompt, the user enters the path selection. The MMS can use the path selected by the user to send and receive packet data corresponding to these communication applications.

As shown in step 913, the MMS running on the computing device periodically monitors the selected path and other available communication paths. If the path characteristics change, the MMS seamlessly switches from one path to another in step 915, ensuring that no data is lost due to path switching. If a new communication application is launched, the MMS selects an optimal path from all available idle paths in step 917. If one or more of these communication applications are down, the MMS re-evaluates the path characteristics and redistributes those paths in the currently running communication application.

10 is a functional diagram of an exemplary path selection process performed by the multipath management software (MMS) of the present invention. The communication between the first terminal device 1011 and the second terminal device 1041 may be performed by the network node 1025, the Internet backbone network 1003, and by the first, second, third, and fourth access points (APs) 1021, 1051, respectively. Any one or more of the available paths supported by 1031 and 1045 are carried. Running on the first and second terminal devices 1011 and 1041, the first, second, third and fourth APs 1021, 1051, 1031 and 1045, and the network node 1025 according to the path establishment parameters, and the underlying basic communication application conditions One or more of the MMS applications can work independently or together to participate in the selection of the path.

The first communication application and the second communication application run on the first terminal device 1011, and the third communication application and the fourth communication application run on the second terminal device 1041. The terminal devices may be client devices and servers running communication applications, for example, each of the first, second, third, and fourth communication applications may include a video game, an internet phone application, an internet browsing application, or may need to be used. Other communication applications that reach the communication path of the remote terminal device. For example, without limitation, a second communication application running on the first terminal device 1011, and a fourth communication application running on the second terminal device 1041 may be an internet telephony application, wherein the first and second terminal devices 1011 and The 1041 includes a VoIP phone. In this way, the voice and supplemental media (if any) need to be sent and received between the second communication application and the fourth communication application. Alternatively, for example, the second terminal application may include a client game software or a client browser software on the client computer that interacts with the game server software or web server software on the server.

There may be a plurality of communication paths between the second communication application of the first terminal device 1011 and the fourth communication application of the second terminal device 1041. As shown, the second communication application can connect the first and second access points 1021 and 1051 using up to three links. At the same time, access points 1021 and 1051 have a total of three links to network node 1025, while network node 1025 has two links to Internet backbone 1003. From the Internet backbone network 1003, there are three links to the third and fourth access points 1031 and 1045, so that a total of three links arrive at the second terminal device 1041. Each link can be wireless or wired.

A single path can be selected from multiple links, or multiple paths can be selected at the same time. One or more MMS applications running on the first and second terminal devices 1011 and 1041, the first, second, third and fourth APs 1021, 1051, 1031 and 1045, and the network node 1025 select one or more path. If the communication application, such as the second communication application running on the first terminal device, has a software interface to the MMS, the communication application can send condition information (such as bandwidth, QoS, etc.) to the MMS to assist the MMS in path selection. These communication applications can also control the MMS or become more active through the MMS during the path selection process. If the communication application does not have such a specific function, or is not configured to assist or control the MMS, the MMS either obtains a preset parameter for the communication application or interacts with the user (via a pop-up window, for example) to obtain these parameters. Further, path selection is performed based on these parameters.

The MMS application running on the terminal device can select the entire path in units of paths, or only in the local link. That is, the first MMS on the first terminal device 1011 can acquire parameters from one or more of the following locations, and then select the entire path from the first terminal device 1011 to the second terminal device 1041. Locations include: 1) a second communication application; 2) local or remote memory associated with the second communication application; 3) local or remote memory associated with the first communication application; 4) each local chain The communication characteristics of the road; 5) the communication characteristics of each remote link originating from each of the plurality of remote MMS applications. If the parameters of the second communication application are unknown, the first MMS may select a default path. Thereafter, regardless of how the initial path is selected, the first MMS analyzes the amount of data flow from the second communication application across the network, and based on these analysis, switches to another path if necessary.

Similarly, the first MMS of the first terminal device 1011 may also hand over the selection of the entire path or the selection of the local link to the communication application. Alternatively, each MMS can only be responsible for the selection of the local path. For example, the first MMS of the first terminal device 1011 may choose to use one of the two indicated links connecting the first AP 1021 to support the second communication application, and select to use the other of the two links connecting the first AP 1021. And connecting the link of the second AP1051 to support the first communication application. The sixth MMS of the second AP 1051 may select one of the two links connecting the network node 1025 or select two at the same time, and the second MMS of the first AP 1021 may aggregate the communication on the two receiving links to one connected to the network. The output link of the way node 1025. Conversely, the network node 1025 may distribute the received data flow to two output links, or may select a single output link to connect to the Internet backbone 1003. Although not shown, the Internet backbone network 1003 may also include more network nodes, each having an MMS application, and may make similar link decisions to reach one of the third and fourth APs 1031 or 1045, or At the same time, both are reached, and then the second terminal device 1041 is reached. In this localization decision process, the MMS application on each node makes its path selection based on parameters obtained from one or more of the following: 1) the second communication application; 2) the local or far associated with the second communication application End memory; 3) local or remote memory associated with the first communication application; 4) communication characteristics of each local link; 5) basic communication traffic passing by. Thereafter, each MMS analyzes the amount of data flow and switches to other or additional links as necessary.

In particular, in an exemplary configuration, the second communication application generates a first plurality of voice packets, and supplements the media packets to the first MMS. The first terminal device 1011 is connected to the first access point (AP) 1021 through two (wireless and/or wired) links, and is connected to the second AP 1051 through a single link. The first MMS running on the first terminal device 1011 and the second MMS running on the first AP 1021 assist each other in path selection, and jointly decide to use the first one of the two paths from the first terminal device 1011. The first access point 1021 transmits a first plurality of voice packets, and uses a second one of the two paths to transmit supplemental media packets from the first terminal device 1011 to the first access point 1021.

The first AP 1021 is connected to the network node 1025 through a single link. The second MMS running on the first AP 1021 controls the first plurality of voice packets and supplemental media packets to be sent to the node 1025 over the available single link. The second MMS sets a higher QOS (Quality of Service) condition for the first plurality of voice packets than the first plurality of supplemental media packets. The first AP 1021 (or the second MMS controls the first AP 1021) will send the first plurality of voice packets to the node 1025 only if the single link satisfies the QOS condition of the first plurality of voice packets. At some point, the second MMS may find that the single link is not suitable for carrying the first plurality of voice packets, but is suitable for carrying supplementary media packets. Therefore, the second MMS controls the first AP 1021 to transmit supplemental media packets to the node 1025 only through the single link.

Node 1025 is coupled to Internet backbone 1003 via two links. The third MMS running on the node 1025 selects one of two links connected to the Internet backbone network 1003, and transmits the first plurality of voice packets and supplementary media packets received from the first AP 1021 through the selected link. Go to the Internet backbone 1003. The third MMS may select one of the two available paths based on the path taken by the data packet and the supplemental media packet to reach the node 1025 from the first terminal device 1011. The Internet backbone network 1003 includes a plurality of, for example, computing devices, routers, switches, base stations, transceivers, function variable name servers, proxy servers, storage servers. One or more elements in the Internet backbone network 1003 send the received first plurality of voice packets and supplemental media packets to the third AP 1031. The third AP 1031 forwards the received first plurality of voice packets and supplementary media packets to the second terminal device 1041 through a unique one of the available links. Of course, other path links may also be selected to replace or supplement the corresponding paths, and the above options may also be handed over to any MMS, or several MMS or communication applications.

After completing the analysis of the first plurality of voice packets and supplemental media packets received from the third AP 1031, the fourth MMS determines that the destination of the packets is the fourth communication application of the second terminal device 1041. The fourth MMS responds by forwarding the received first plurality of voice packets and supplemental media packets to the fourth communication application. In response, the fourth communication application generates a second plurality of voice packets and supplemental media packets. The fourth MMS in this embodiment sends the second plurality of voice packets and supplementary media packets to the fourth AP 1045. The second terminal device 1041 is connected to the fourth AP 1045 through two links. The fourth MMS selects one of them, or simultaneously selects the two links to transmit a second plurality of voice packets and supplementary media packets.

The process by which the fourth MMS responds to select one or more of the two links may also differ from the operations performed when receiving the voice packets and supplemental media from the second communication application. However, the fourth MMS can analyze the bandwidth usage when receiving the information, and then decide to select a different link to send the information. In this example, the fourth MMS receives the first plurality of voice packets from the Internet backbone network 1003 through the third AP 1031, and transmits the second plurality of voice packets to the Internet backbone network 1003 through the fourth AP 1045. Alternatively, the fourth MMS may send a second plurality of voice packets and supplementary media packets to the Internet backbone network 1003 via the third AP 1031.

A fifth MMS runs on the fourth AP 1045. The fifth MMS sends the second plurality of voice packets and supplementary media packets received from the second terminal device 1041 to the Internet backbone network 1003. Internet backbone network 1003 is coupled to node 1025 via two links. The third MMS running on node 1025 selects one of the two links to receive a second plurality of voice packets and supplemental media packets from the Internet backbone network 1003, and notifies the selected backbone path to the Internet backbone network 1003. The selected path may be the same as or different from the path used by node 1025 to send the first plurality of voice packets and supplemental media packets to Internet backbone network 1003. The Internet backbone network 1003 sends a second plurality of voice packets and supplemental media packets received from the fourth AP 1041 to the node 1025 via the selected link.

The third MMS running on the node 1025 and the sixth MMS running on the second AP 1051 jointly select two links between the node 1025 and the second AP 1051 to carry the second group sent from the node 1025 to the second AP 1051. Voice packets and supplementary media packets. One of the selected links carries a second set of voice packets, and the other carries a second set of supplementary media packets. In another configuration, a third MMS running on node 1025 and a second MMS running on first AP 1021 can collectively decide to transmit a second plurality of voice packets and supplemental media packets through first AP 1025. In full-duplex communication between the second communication application and the fourth communication application, the third MMS performs two link selections, one for transmitting the first plurality of voice packets and the supplementary media packets, and the other for transmitting A second plurality of voice packets and supplemental media packets.

The second AP 1051 forwards the received second plurality of voice packets and supplementary media packets to the first terminal device 1011. The first MMS running on the first terminal device 1011 analyzes the second plurality of voice packets and supplemental media packets, and forwards them to the second application running on the terminal device 1011.

To support the first or any other communication application, the first MMS of the first terminal device 1011 can perform the following operations: 1) prompting the user to input default parameters for the first communication application (in the pop-up manner, the first communication application is used for video Stream, audio stream, voice call, video call, file transfer, Internet browsing, or text chat, etc.); 2) Obtain a preset configuration from the remote server; 3) Obtain pre-set configuration information from the local memory; 4 ) Obtain pre-configured configuration information from the MMS interface if possible; 5) Use the default configuration. The configuration information includes a plurality of parameters related to: a) basic communication conditions for communication with the communication application; b) type of media exchanged; c) control configuration (eg, simultaneous control of communication applications, or respective Separate control, local MMS link selection/control; single MMS entire path selection/control, etc.).

The terminal devices 1011 and 1041 are network nodes. Access nodes 1021, 1031, 1041 and 1051, network node 1025, and multiple nodes in Internet backbone network 1003 (not shown) are network nodes that can provide support. Of course, each node may or may not use an MMS application, and the entire path may be changed accordingly.

Those skilled in the art should understand that the term "connected" as used herein includes a direct connection of wireless and wired, a wireless or wired indirect connection via another element, component, circuit or module. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that inferred connections (i.e., by inference that one element is connected to another element) includes both wireless and wired connections, direct and in the same manner as the "connection" described above. Indirect connection.

The description process of the present invention also describes the execution of specific functions and their interrelationships by means of method steps. For ease of description, the boundaries and sequence of these functional modules and method steps are specifically defined. To make these functions and their relationships work, you can redefine their boundaries and order. However, these redefinitions of boundaries and sequences will fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

The process of the present invention describes the execution of certain important functions by means of a functional module. For the convenience of description, these functional module boundaries are specifically defined in the text. To make these features work, you can redefine their boundaries. Similarly, the steps in the flowchart are also specifically defined to describe some important functions. To extend the application of these flowcharts, the boundaries and order of the modules in the flowchart can be redefined, and at the same time, after re-definition, these modules still perform the original important functions. Such redefinition of functional modules and flow diagram steps and sequences will also fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the functional modules and other modules, molds, and components described herein can be implemented as shown in the figures, and further subdivided components, application-specific integrated circuits, and execution can be used. The processor of a particular software comes with it, and any combination of them.

Meanwhile, the present invention has been described in detail by way of examples, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments. It is apparent that those skilled in the art can modify the contents of the present invention within the spirit and scope of the present invention, but such modifications are still within the scope of the present invention.

Internet backbone network. . . 103

First service provider equipment. . . 111

Second service provider equipment. . . 113

Third service provider equipment. . . 115

Fourth service provider equipment. . . 117

Wired data network. . . 121

Ground wireless data network. . . 123

Satellite data network. . . 125

Wireless data network. . . 127

First access point. . . 131

Second access point. . . 133

Third access point (set top box). . . 135

Fourth access point. . . 137

The first personal computer. . . 151

Telephone set. . . 153

TV set. . . 155

Second personal computer. . . 157

headset. . . 159

Multipath AP or multipath STB (set top box). . . 200

Processing circuit. . . 202

Storage System. . . 204

working system. . . 210

Multi-path management software (MMS) uplink-downstream management. . . 214

Upstream-downstream device subdriver. . . 216

User input interface. . . 218

Wired interface. . . 220

The first wired upstream interface. . . 222

The second wired upstream interface. . . 223

The first wired downstream interface. . . 224

Second wired downstream interface. . . 225

Wireless interface. . . 230

The first wireless upstream interface. . . 232

The second wireless upstream interface. . . 233

The first wireless downlink interface. . . 234

The second wireless downlink interface. . . 235

Multipath client device. . . 300

Processing circuit. . . 302

Storage System. . . 304

CRI. . . 305

Path characteristics. . . 306

working system. . . 308

Communication application software. . . 310, 311, 312

Multi-path uplink management software (MMS uplink management...314

Device sub-driver. . . 316

User input interface. . . 330

The first wired upstream interface. . . 342

The second wired upstream interface. . . 343

The first wireless upstream interface. . . 344

The second wireless upstream interface. . . 345

Client device. . . 400

working system. . . 410

Communication software application. . . 414, 415

Communication software application. . . 416

Multipath Management Software (MMS). . . 420

Single-input single-output (SISO) low-level device drivers. . . 427

Single-input and double-out (SIDO) low-level device drivers. . . 426

Dual-input single-out (DISO) low-level device driver. . . 425

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) device driver. . . 424

First path. . . 432

Second path. . . 433

First path. . . 435

Second path. . . 436

Access Point. . . 500

Dual In and Double Out (DIDO) device drivers. . . 510

Double path. . . 530

Multipath Management Software (MMS). . . 550

Dual Input Single Output (DISO) device driver. . . 560

Single-input and double-out (SIDO) device drivers. . . 565

First path. . . 570

Second path. . . 572

The third path. . . 574

Internet backbone network. . . 1003

First end device (end point device). . . 1011

First access point (AP). . . 1021

Network node. . . 1025

Third access point (AP). . . 1031

Second terminal device. . . 1041

Fourth access point (AP). . . 1045

Second access point (AP). . . 1051

1 is a schematic diagram of multiple devices interacting with an Internet backbone network through multiple access points in the present invention, wherein each device interacts with more than one access point; FIG. 2 is a connection of the present invention as shown in FIG. A schematic diagram of a plurality of components, the access point supporting a plurality of data paths from itself to the Internet backbone network; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of components of the client device shown in FIG. 1 of the present invention, the client device Supporting multiple data paths from itself to multiple access points shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a client device running multiple softwares of the present invention, the user terminal device supporting from itself to multiple accesses a plurality of data paths of points; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an access point of the present invention running a plurality of softwares, the access point supporting a first plurality of data paths from itself to a plurality of client devices, and from a second set of multiple data paths to the packet switched network; FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of functions performed by the computing device protocol layer of the present invention, the computing device supporting multiple paths from itself to the Internet, and the computing device Running on A communication application having a multi-path management function; FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for managing a plurality of communication paths between the computing device and at least one packet data network by the communication application running on the computing device of the present invention; A flowchart of a method for managing a plurality of communication paths between a computing device and at least one packet data network, supported by a multi-path management software running on a computing device, supported by a communication application; FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the present invention running on a computing device A flowchart of a method for independently managing multiple communication paths between the computing device and at least one packet data network by the multi-path management software; FIG. 10 is a functional module and selection for path selection by the multi-path management software (MMS) of the present invention; Process schematic.

Claims (8)

A communication architecture comprising: a local communication software application having local communication conditions; a local management software application; a local terminal device executing the local communication software application and the local management software application; and a remote terminal device having a far end End communication feature; a plurality of local access point devices connected to the local terminal device by corresponding multiple independent links, the corresponding multiple independent links having corresponding multiple local path features; packet switched communication a backbone network connected to each of the plurality of access point devices and the second terminal device; the local terminal device passing the at least one of the plurality of local access points a packet switched communication backbone network communicating with the remote terminal device; after the local terminal device evaluates the local communication condition, the remote communication feature, and the corresponding plurality of local path features, from the Select at least one of the plurality of local access points. The communication architecture of claim 1, further comprising a remote management software application running on the remote terminal device for transmitting the remote communication feature to the local terminal device . The communication architecture of claim 1, wherein the local communication condition is sent by the local communication software application to the local management application. The communication architecture of claim 1, wherein the process of the local terminal device selecting at least one access point from the plurality of local access points is performed under the control of the local management software application. of. A communication architecture supporting a communication software application, the communication software application supporting data communication, the communication architecture comprising: a plurality of network nodes including a first access point, a second access point, and executing the communication software application a first terminal node, and a second terminal node; the plurality of network nodes are configured to provide a plurality of communication paths for the first terminal node; the first terminal node performs a management application, according to the communication software application And cooperating with at least one of the plurality of network nodes to select a first communication path from the first access point from the plurality of communication paths to carry the first portion of the data communication Also selecting a second communication path via the second access point to carry a second portion of the data communication; the management application further with the at least one other network node of the plurality of network nodes Cooperating, selecting a third communication path from the plurality of communication paths to transmit data in place of the first one of the plurality of communication paths, the first access point being seamless Shifting to the third access point. The communication architecture of claim 5, wherein the management application acquires the condition of the communication software application from a memory. A communication architecture comprising: a plurality of communication software applications, each of which supports packet communication, the communication software application having a corresponding plurality of communication conditions; a path management application; and a plurality of network nodes including the first access point a second access point and a first terminal node; the first terminal node performs the path management application and the plurality of communication software applications; the plurality of network nodes are configured to provide the first terminal node a plurality of communication paths; the first terminal node selects the first communication path and the second communication path from the plurality of communication paths based at least in part on the corresponding plurality of communication conditions to support the plurality of Communication software application. The communication architecture of claim 7, wherein the path management application acquires the plurality of communication conditions from the plurality of communication software applications.