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Nice! $IDSA .91 oversold and hit 52 week low yesterday. 61,023,000 revenue last year.
KEY DATA
0.8192 - 1.00
52 WEEK RANGE
0.8192 - 2.69
SHARES OUTSTANDING
8.11M
PUBLIC FLOAT
4.3M
$IDSA .91 oversold and hit 52 week low yesterday.
KEY DATA
0.8192 - 1.00
52 WEEK RANGE
0.8192 - 2.69
SHARES OUTSTANDING
8.11M
PUBLIC FLOAT
4.3M
I wouldn't touch VISL for now. Dilution is on the way.
$LOW Lowe's is adding a new Technology hub in Charlotte NC. They will be employing over 1600 employees focused on Technology.
Lowe's is adding a new Technology hub in Charlotte NC. They will be employing over 1600 employees focused on Technology. I have a feeling the market may view this positively and the PPS may go a little higher.
I'm only holding a few freebies here now, but congrats to everyone, especially those that loaded the dip last winter.
Nice! $IDSA
Keep it on watch. It has been dipping just below 1.50 and bouncing off of that. I'll jump back in again if I can get more under 1.50.
Thanks Powerbattles. One of the most under valued low float Nasdaq stocks you can buy right now is $IDSA IMO. The IDSA board on Stock Twits just added 24 followers in the last 2 days. Low risk major potential with this one IMO. I'm still loading until it takes off, which may be tomorrow. It would be nice to have you in on this one brother.
$CRBTF nice! Thanks.
This new patent may have been the reason for the run today for $VISL.
United States Patent 10,334,629
Subramanian June 25, 2019
Channel access and fairness protocol for contention-based-access networks with biased detection
Abstract
A channel access protocol method to impart bandwidth fairness while maximizing throughput in a class of contention-based-access (CBA) TDMA networks that has no carrier sense capability, and that experiences biased detection at the receiver (base station) by virtue of physical layer detection algorithms is disclosed.
Inventors: Subramanian; Sankrith (St. Petersburg, FL)
Applicant:
Name City State Country Type
xG Technology, Inc.
Sarasota
FL
US
Assignee: Vislink Technologies, Inc. (Sarasota, FL)
Family ID: 1000004108506
Appl. No.: 15/659,793
Filed: July 26, 2017
Prior Publication Data
Document Identifier Publication Date
US 20180042051 A1 Feb 8, 2018
Related U.S. Patent Documents
Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date
62370796 Aug 4, 2016
Current U.S. Class: 1/1
Current CPC Class: H04W 74/0825 (20130101); H04B 7/2643 (20130101)
Current International Class: H04W 74/08 (20090101); H04B 7/26 (20060101)
Field of Search: ;370/329,336,337,345-348,445-461
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
6236662 May 2001 Reilly
2009/0067389 March 2009 Lee
2010/0014503 January 2010 Shukla
2010/0118838 May 2010 Gandham
2011/0026409 February 2011 Hu
2015/0244632 August 2015 Katar
Primary Examiner: Kasraian; Allahyar
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cook, Esq.; Dennis L.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims the benefit of previously filed Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 62/370,796 filed on Aug. 4, 2016.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A channel access protocol method that maximizes network throughput while maintaining bandwidth fairness for a class of Contention-Based-Access (CBA) networks that has m, where m is a non-zero positive integer value, CBA slots for CBA bursts in a Media Access Control (MAC) super-frame comprising: first a base station broadcasting in each super-frame a request message with a control field wherein if said control field is toggled to a non-zero positive integer value indicating the number of active requests said request message is interpreted as a bandwidth request CBA packet drop due to collision in CBA slot 1 by mobile terminals that are contending for channel access in CBA slot 1 and by, at-most, (m-1) non-contending mobile terminals that are transmitting in each of the CBA slots k, where k.di-elect cons.[2, 3, . . . , m] for a MAC super-frame with m CBA slots; then, whenever said request message is interpreted as bandwidth request CBA packet drop due to collision in CBA slot 1 by the mobile terminals that are contending for channel access in CBA slot 1 in the current super-frame, the non-zero positive integer value control field indicating the number of active requests notifies said mobile terminals to retransmit bandwidth request CBA packet in CBA slot 1 in the subsequent super-frame; then, whenever said request message is interpreted as bandwidth request CBA packet drop due to collision in CBA slot 1 by the at-most (m-1) non-contending mobile terminals that are transmitting in each of the CBA slots k, where k.di-elect cons.[2, 3, . . . , m] for a MAC super-frame with m CBA slots, in the current super-frame, the non-zero positive integer value control field indicating the number of active requests notifies each of said mobile terminals that is transmitting in CBA slot k to move to CBA slot (k+1) if k<m or move to a wait state if k=m in the subsequent super-frame; said wait state having a wait state window size that is set to non-zero positive integer value control field indicating the number of active requests.times.wait state factor wherein said wait state factor can be assigned a non-zero positive integer value; whenever said request message is interpreted as bandwidth request CBA packet drop due to collision in CBA slot 1 by a mobile terminal that is transmitting in CBA slot m, a local counter in the said mobile terminal is set to zero, and the said local counter is incremented every super-frame in the subsequent super-frames until the said local counter value is equal to the said non-zero positive integer value control field indicating the number of active requests.times.wait state factor; whenever a mobile terminal in said wait state has said local counter value equal to said non-zero positive integer value control field indicating the number of active requests.times.wait state factor, said mobile terminal starts contending in CBA slot 1 in the subsequent super-frame if said mobile terminal's internal queue value is greater than zero; and, whenever a mobile terminal that is transmitting in CBA slot k, where k.di-elect cons.[1, 2, 3, . . . , m] for a MAC super-frame with m CBA slots, and said internal queue value of the said mobile terminal is equal to zero, said mobile terminal moves to an idle state after a static time-out interval.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention introduces a new protocol method to impart bandwidth fairness while maximizing throughput in a class of contention-based-access (CBA) TDMA networks that has no carrier sense capability, and that experiences biased detection at the receiver (base station) by virtue of physical layer detection algorithms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Contention-based medium access is a traditional medium access scheme in which each Mobile Terminal (MT) acquires channel access by sending data initiation requests in slots that are used by other MTs for the same purpose. Many variants of the contention based medium access schemes, such as ALOHA, CSMA, etc., have been used in numerous wireless technologies, such as IEEE 802.11, LTE, etc., based on its hardware and software capabilities. In this disclosure, we consider a class of wireless systems that uses a medium access scheme with no carrier sense mechanism and whose MAC "super-frame" structure has m CBA slots, where m.gtoreq.2, that may be used by the MTs to access the medium.
Wireless systems that operate in interference-prone bands due to the presence of other users, such as the ISM band of 902-928 MHz, require physical layer (PHY) algorithms to handle high levels of such interference. While this is highly desired to decode data and other control bursts, PHY level interference mitigation algorithms at the Base Station (BS) may cause detection bias for a set of MTs when decoding CBA bursts. This can be due to several reasons such as receiver signal levels, uplink propagation delay, oscillator and RF characteristics, etc. Hence, fairness of the network is compromised due to resource "hogging" by the biased set of MTs.
One may argue to disable the interference mitigation algorithms operating in the PHY while decoding CBAs to impart bandwidth fairness to the network. But, such algorithms may reduce packet drops due to collisions, and hence increase the network throughput, since a CBA burst from one of the MTs may be decoded while the others may be treated as interference. In the following disclosure, we address the aforementioned issues and introduce a channel access protocol that provides bandwidth fairness to the network while maximizing the network throughput. This protocol intelligently uses the available m CBA slots, where m.gtoreq.2, to detect collision, and in-turn uses this information to update the "wait" times of the MTs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A detailed formulation of the protocol method for CBA networks that maximizes the network throughput while maintaining bandwidth fairness is provided in the following disclosure. The protocol method in essence uses 2 or more contention-based-access slots in the TDMA MAC super-frame to manage the uplink bandwidth requests by the MTs in the network. Packet collisions are detected and the wait times of the mobile terminals are updated intelligently by this protocol.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a 3-MT scenario for the channel access and fairness protocol; and,
FIG. 2 shows a contending MT's software state machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Uplink channel access protocol is used by MTs to initiate data transmission and transfer control information to the BS. Fairness of transmission amongst the MTs and Quality of Service (QoS) depends on the parameters used by the channel access mechanism at the link and physical layer. To site an example of current technologies that employ channel access procedures, User Equipments (UEs) in LTE use 1 of 64 Random Access Channel (RACH) preambles to initiate channel access. If two UEs pick the same RACH preamble, there is collision at the eNodeB, while if they pick unique RACH preambles, they can then be decoded even if the preambles are sent concurrently, thus reducing the probability of collisions. For systems where the same preamble is used for the UEs, or when the number of UEs is extremely larger than the available preambles, the problem of fairness is exacerbated.
The medium access control technique of IEEE 802.11 is the Distribution Coordination Function (DCF), which is a Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) protocol that uses a binary slotted exponential backoff scheme. Packet collisions in such systems imply packet drops, unlike in the case of the class of wireless systems under consideration in this disclosure. The backoff time of a terminal in 802.11 increases exponentially after every packet collision.
The subsequent section enumerates the events and processes that describe the preferred embodiment channel access procedure for an instance in the network where there are 3 contending MTs, as shown in FIG. 1. Note that this description can easily be extended to a network with n contending MTs. A software state machine that supplements this procedural description is shown in FIG. 2 for a preferred embodiment network whose MAC super-frame has 2 CBA slots. This state machine can be easily extended for an m CBA slot system. In the preferred embodiment three MTs contend for channel access by each sending a bandwidth request CBA, denoted by BW_REQ_CBA, in slot 1. The BS decodes one of the 3 CBAs and replies to the successful MT with an ACK (BW_REQ_CBA_ACK), and thereafter, this MT (MT 1 in FIG. 1) sets its internal CBA state to transmit in slot 2 (i.e., TX CBA SLOT 2 in FIG. 2) in the subsequent bandwidth requests. In addition, the BS increments a control field, known as ACTIVE_REQUESTS, and broadcasts this information to all the MTs present in the network. This signal, as the name suggests, informs the MTs of the active MTs that the BS had detected by virtue of receiving their bandwidth requests, and by extension, implies that the BS had decoded a packet in slot 1 successfully. The ACTIVE_REQUESTS field along with the BW_REQ_CBA_ACK forms part of the control burst that is sent every super-frame (BW_REQ_CBA_ACK is sent if a BW_REQ_CBA is received by the BS from the corresponding MT, and is decoded only by the intended MT, while ACTIVE_REQUESTS can be decoded by all the MTs present in the network). Note that the unsuccessful MTs will infer from the set ACTIVE_REQUESTS signal that the packet drop was as a result of collision, as packet drops may occur due to bad physical channel conditions as well.
The following bandwidth request CBAs are sent in slot 2 by MT 3 as shown in FIG. 1, while the other MTs retry their bandwidth request in slot 1. In FIG. 1 an instance where MTs 1 and 2 retry in slot 1 while MT 3 sends its bandwidth requests in slot 2 is also shown. The BS decodes the CBAs from MTs 1 and 3, and sends back the corresponding BW_REQ_CBA_ACKs. MT 1 will now set its internal CBA state to TX CBA SLOT 2 (see FIG. 2) in the subsequent bandwidth requests, while MT 2 will retry again in CBA slot 1 (i.e., TX CBA SLOT 1 in FIG. 2) in the following super-frame. As before, ACTIVE_REQUESTS is incremented and broadcasted by the BS. The (lone) MT transmitting in slot 2 uses this broadcast information to detect collision, and will enter the WAIT state (see FIG. 2). The WAIT state is an induced backoff state with a window size, denoted by w.sub.i for MT i, being a function of ACTIVE_REQUESTS. The WAIT state window size is set to (ACTIVE_REQUESTS.times.WAIT_STATE_FACTOR), where WAIT_STATE_FACTOR may be tuned to some non-zero integer value. If this MT has no requests in its internal queue, i.e., when q=0, it goes to the IDLE state (see FIG. 2). Once an MT enters the WAIT state, a local counter is initialized to zero, and this counter is incremented once every super-frame until the counter value is equal to the WAIT state window size. At that instance (and if q>0 for this MT), the MT goes back to contending in CBA slot 1. The field ACTIVE_REQUESTS is updated by the BS every super-frame; MTs that have been idle will be removed after some non-zero integer number of super-frames. This integer value may be tuned to allow for tracking the number of active MTs, and thereafter effect in setting the WAIT state window size w.sub.i for each MT i.di-elect cons.[1, 2, . . . , n] using the updated ACTIVE_REQUESTS field.
Note that, for a generalized embodiment network with m CBA slots in a super-frame and n contending MTs, the protocol method ensures that there is contention for channel access in CBA slot 1, but not in each of the CBA slots k, where k.di-elect cons.[2, 3, . . . , m] for a MAC super-frame with m CBA slots. This implies that there can be at-most 1 MT with q>0 in each CBA slot k. Also note from the preceding discussion that the broadcasted field ACTIVE_REQUESTS in the control packet is a field that, if toggled to a non-zero integer value, performs the following actions:
informs the MTs contending in slot 1 that were unsuccessful in super-frame j that there was a packet drop due to collision (hence these MTs will retry in CBA slot 1 in super-frame (j+1));
informs each of the lone non-contending MTs (if any) that is transmitting in slot k in super-frame j to move to slot (k+1) (i.e., TX CBA SLOT (k+1)th state) if k<m, or move to the WAIT state if k=m in super-frame (j+1), where k.di-elect cons.[2, 3, . . . , m] for a MAC super-frame with m CBA slots; and,
sets the window size w.sub.i for MT i that moved to the WAIT state.
Since certain changes may be made in the above described channel access and fairness protocol method for proactive without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the description thereof or shown in the accompanying figures shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
This new patent may have been the reason for the run today.
United States Patent 10,334,629
Subramanian June 25, 2019
Channel access and fairness protocol for contention-based-access networks with biased detection
Abstract
A channel access protocol method to impart bandwidth fairness while maximizing throughput in a class of contention-based-access (CBA) TDMA networks that has no carrier sense capability, and that experiences biased detection at the receiver (base station) by virtue of physical layer detection algorithms is disclosed.
Inventors: Subramanian; Sankrith (St. Petersburg, FL)
Applicant:
Name City State Country Type
xG Technology, Inc.
Sarasota
FL
US
Assignee: Vislink Technologies, Inc. (Sarasota, FL)
Family ID: 1000004108506
Appl. No.: 15/659,793
Filed: July 26, 2017
Prior Publication Data
Document Identifier Publication Date
US 20180042051 A1 Feb 8, 2018
Related U.S. Patent Documents
Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date
62370796 Aug 4, 2016
Current U.S. Class: 1/1
Current CPC Class: H04W 74/0825 (20130101); H04B 7/2643 (20130101)
Current International Class: H04W 74/08 (20090101); H04B 7/26 (20060101)
Field of Search: ;370/329,336,337,345-348,445-461
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
6236662 May 2001 Reilly
2009/0067389 March 2009 Lee
2010/0014503 January 2010 Shukla
2010/0118838 May 2010 Gandham
2011/0026409 February 2011 Hu
2015/0244632 August 2015 Katar
Primary Examiner: Kasraian; Allahyar
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cook, Esq.; Dennis L.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims the benefit of previously filed Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 62/370,796 filed on Aug. 4, 2016.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A channel access protocol method that maximizes network throughput while maintaining bandwidth fairness for a class of Contention-Based-Access (CBA) networks that has m, where m is a non-zero positive integer value, CBA slots for CBA bursts in a Media Access Control (MAC) super-frame comprising: first a base station broadcasting in each super-frame a request message with a control field wherein if said control field is toggled to a non-zero positive integer value indicating the number of active requests said request message is interpreted as a bandwidth request CBA packet drop due to collision in CBA slot 1 by mobile terminals that are contending for channel access in CBA slot 1 and by, at-most, (m-1) non-contending mobile terminals that are transmitting in each of the CBA slots k, where k.di-elect cons.[2, 3, . . . , m] for a MAC super-frame with m CBA slots; then, whenever said request message is interpreted as bandwidth request CBA packet drop due to collision in CBA slot 1 by the mobile terminals that are contending for channel access in CBA slot 1 in the current super-frame, the non-zero positive integer value control field indicating the number of active requests notifies said mobile terminals to retransmit bandwidth request CBA packet in CBA slot 1 in the subsequent super-frame; then, whenever said request message is interpreted as bandwidth request CBA packet drop due to collision in CBA slot 1 by the at-most (m-1) non-contending mobile terminals that are transmitting in each of the CBA slots k, where k.di-elect cons.[2, 3, . . . , m] for a MAC super-frame with m CBA slots, in the current super-frame, the non-zero positive integer value control field indicating the number of active requests notifies each of said mobile terminals that is transmitting in CBA slot k to move to CBA slot (k+1) if k<m or move to a wait state if k=m in the subsequent super-frame; said wait state having a wait state window size that is set to non-zero positive integer value control field indicating the number of active requests.times.wait state factor wherein said wait state factor can be assigned a non-zero positive integer value; whenever said request message is interpreted as bandwidth request CBA packet drop due to collision in CBA slot 1 by a mobile terminal that is transmitting in CBA slot m, a local counter in the said mobile terminal is set to zero, and the said local counter is incremented every super-frame in the subsequent super-frames until the said local counter value is equal to the said non-zero positive integer value control field indicating the number of active requests.times.wait state factor; whenever a mobile terminal in said wait state has said local counter value equal to said non-zero positive integer value control field indicating the number of active requests.times.wait state factor, said mobile terminal starts contending in CBA slot 1 in the subsequent super-frame if said mobile terminal's internal queue value is greater than zero; and, whenever a mobile terminal that is transmitting in CBA slot k, where k.di-elect cons.[1, 2, 3, . . . , m] for a MAC super-frame with m CBA slots, and said internal queue value of the said mobile terminal is equal to zero, said mobile terminal moves to an idle state after a static time-out interval.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention introduces a new protocol method to impart bandwidth fairness while maximizing throughput in a class of contention-based-access (CBA) TDMA networks that has no carrier sense capability, and that experiences biased detection at the receiver (base station) by virtue of physical layer detection algorithms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Contention-based medium access is a traditional medium access scheme in which each Mobile Terminal (MT) acquires channel access by sending data initiation requests in slots that are used by other MTs for the same purpose. Many variants of the contention based medium access schemes, such as ALOHA, CSMA, etc., have been used in numerous wireless technologies, such as IEEE 802.11, LTE, etc., based on its hardware and software capabilities. In this disclosure, we consider a class of wireless systems that uses a medium access scheme with no carrier sense mechanism and whose MAC "super-frame" structure has m CBA slots, where m.gtoreq.2, that may be used by the MTs to access the medium.
Wireless systems that operate in interference-prone bands due to the presence of other users, such as the ISM band of 902-928 MHz, require physical layer (PHY) algorithms to handle high levels of such interference. While this is highly desired to decode data and other control bursts, PHY level interference mitigation algorithms at the Base Station (BS) may cause detection bias for a set of MTs when decoding CBA bursts. This can be due to several reasons such as receiver signal levels, uplink propagation delay, oscillator and RF characteristics, etc. Hence, fairness of the network is compromised due to resource "hogging" by the biased set of MTs.
One may argue to disable the interference mitigation algorithms operating in the PHY while decoding CBAs to impart bandwidth fairness to the network. But, such algorithms may reduce packet drops due to collisions, and hence increase the network throughput, since a CBA burst from one of the MTs may be decoded while the others may be treated as interference. In the following disclosure, we address the aforementioned issues and introduce a channel access protocol that provides bandwidth fairness to the network while maximizing the network throughput. This protocol intelligently uses the available m CBA slots, where m.gtoreq.2, to detect collision, and in-turn uses this information to update the "wait" times of the MTs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A detailed formulation of the protocol method for CBA networks that maximizes the network throughput while maintaining bandwidth fairness is provided in the following disclosure. The protocol method in essence uses 2 or more contention-based-access slots in the TDMA MAC super-frame to manage the uplink bandwidth requests by the MTs in the network. Packet collisions are detected and the wait times of the mobile terminals are updated intelligently by this protocol.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a 3-MT scenario for the channel access and fairness protocol; and,
FIG. 2 shows a contending MT's software state machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Uplink channel access protocol is used by MTs to initiate data transmission and transfer control information to the BS. Fairness of transmission amongst the MTs and Quality of Service (QoS) depends on the parameters used by the channel access mechanism at the link and physical layer. To site an example of current technologies that employ channel access procedures, User Equipments (UEs) in LTE use 1 of 64 Random Access Channel (RACH) preambles to initiate channel access. If two UEs pick the same RACH preamble, there is collision at the eNodeB, while if they pick unique RACH preambles, they can then be decoded even if the preambles are sent concurrently, thus reducing the probability of collisions. For systems where the same preamble is used for the UEs, or when the number of UEs is extremely larger than the available preambles, the problem of fairness is exacerbated.
The medium access control technique of IEEE 802.11 is the Distribution Coordination Function (DCF), which is a Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) protocol that uses a binary slotted exponential backoff scheme. Packet collisions in such systems imply packet drops, unlike in the case of the class of wireless systems under consideration in this disclosure. The backoff time of a terminal in 802.11 increases exponentially after every packet collision.
The subsequent section enumerates the events and processes that describe the preferred embodiment channel access procedure for an instance in the network where there are 3 contending MTs, as shown in FIG. 1. Note that this description can easily be extended to a network with n contending MTs. A software state machine that supplements this procedural description is shown in FIG. 2 for a preferred embodiment network whose MAC super-frame has 2 CBA slots. This state machine can be easily extended for an m CBA slot system. In the preferred embodiment three MTs contend for channel access by each sending a bandwidth request CBA, denoted by BW_REQ_CBA, in slot 1. The BS decodes one of the 3 CBAs and replies to the successful MT with an ACK (BW_REQ_CBA_ACK), and thereafter, this MT (MT 1 in FIG. 1) sets its internal CBA state to transmit in slot 2 (i.e., TX CBA SLOT 2 in FIG. 2) in the subsequent bandwidth requests. In addition, the BS increments a control field, known as ACTIVE_REQUESTS, and broadcasts this information to all the MTs present in the network. This signal, as the name suggests, informs the MTs of the active MTs that the BS had detected by virtue of receiving their bandwidth requests, and by extension, implies that the BS had decoded a packet in slot 1 successfully. The ACTIVE_REQUESTS field along with the BW_REQ_CBA_ACK forms part of the control burst that is sent every super-frame (BW_REQ_CBA_ACK is sent if a BW_REQ_CBA is received by the BS from the corresponding MT, and is decoded only by the intended MT, while ACTIVE_REQUESTS can be decoded by all the MTs present in the network). Note that the unsuccessful MTs will infer from the set ACTIVE_REQUESTS signal that the packet drop was as a result of collision, as packet drops may occur due to bad physical channel conditions as well.
The following bandwidth request CBAs are sent in slot 2 by MT 3 as shown in FIG. 1, while the other MTs retry their bandwidth request in slot 1. In FIG. 1 an instance where MTs 1 and 2 retry in slot 1 while MT 3 sends its bandwidth requests in slot 2 is also shown. The BS decodes the CBAs from MTs 1 and 3, and sends back the corresponding BW_REQ_CBA_ACKs. MT 1 will now set its internal CBA state to TX CBA SLOT 2 (see FIG. 2) in the subsequent bandwidth requests, while MT 2 will retry again in CBA slot 1 (i.e., TX CBA SLOT 1 in FIG. 2) in the following super-frame. As before, ACTIVE_REQUESTS is incremented and broadcasted by the BS. The (lone) MT transmitting in slot 2 uses this broadcast information to detect collision, and will enter the WAIT state (see FIG. 2). The WAIT state is an induced backoff state with a window size, denoted by w.sub.i for MT i, being a function of ACTIVE_REQUESTS. The WAIT state window size is set to (ACTIVE_REQUESTS.times.WAIT_STATE_FACTOR), where WAIT_STATE_FACTOR may be tuned to some non-zero integer value. If this MT has no requests in its internal queue, i.e., when q=0, it goes to the IDLE state (see FIG. 2). Once an MT enters the WAIT state, a local counter is initialized to zero, and this counter is incremented once every super-frame until the counter value is equal to the WAIT state window size. At that instance (and if q>0 for this MT), the MT goes back to contending in CBA slot 1. The field ACTIVE_REQUESTS is updated by the BS every super-frame; MTs that have been idle will be removed after some non-zero integer number of super-frames. This integer value may be tuned to allow for tracking the number of active MTs, and thereafter effect in setting the WAIT state window size w.sub.i for each MT i.di-elect cons.[1, 2, . . . , n] using the updated ACTIVE_REQUESTS field.
Note that, for a generalized embodiment network with m CBA slots in a super-frame and n contending MTs, the protocol method ensures that there is contention for channel access in CBA slot 1, but not in each of the CBA slots k, where k.di-elect cons.[2, 3, . . . , m] for a MAC super-frame with m CBA slots. This implies that there can be at-most 1 MT with q>0 in each CBA slot k. Also note from the preceding discussion that the broadcasted field ACTIVE_REQUESTS in the control packet is a field that, if toggled to a non-zero integer value, performs the following actions:
informs the MTs contending in slot 1 that were unsuccessful in super-frame j that there was a packet drop due to collision (hence these MTs will retry in CBA slot 1 in super-frame (j+1));
informs each of the lone non-contending MTs (if any) that is transmitting in slot k in super-frame j to move to slot (k+1) (i.e., TX CBA SLOT (k+1)th state) if k<m, or move to the WAIT state if k=m in super-frame (j+1), where k.di-elect cons.[2, 3, . . . , m] for a MAC super-frame with m CBA slots; and,
sets the window size w.sub.i for MT i that moved to the WAIT state.
Since certain changes may be made in the above described channel access and fairness protocol method for proactive without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the description thereof or shown in the accompanying figures shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Didn't Lagan try bringing someone to court for defamation, when he had his last ticker. I believe the anti-defamation case got dismissed.
$GEVO looks like a good bottom play. Thanks. $IDSA (low float) appears to be bottoming as well.
Anytime AugustaFriends. $IDSA appears to be at the bottom. We just need some buying volume.
Nice timing.
Nice find. $IDSA is another low float potential 50 to 100 percent gain possible from here. It looks crazy thin.
$VISL breakout again up 37%
$VISL breakout is happening now
$VISL breakout is happening now
$VISL is beginning to run again up 20% so far
$VISL is running
$IDSA looks thin and has a 4.3 million float.
Love the low float on $IDSA. Loading what I can down here.
Way under valued at under 1.00.
Loaded a few more today.
Potential buying opportunity here today. It's still only watch for me though. I'm looking for under 8.00.
$VISL on watch for a bounce. It looks about ready to run again.
$VISL on watch. It has been bouncing off around 1.50.
Added a few more this morning. It may be about ready to run again.
$HLTH up 103% in pre market trading.
$HLTH up 103% in pre market trading.
$HLTH up 103% in pre market trading.
$HLTH 8-K out today
KEY DATA
OPEN
$0.15
DAY RANGE
0.13 - 0.15
52 WEEK RANGE
0.10 - 1.25
MARKET CAP
$12.74M
SHARES OUTSTANDING
78.18M
PUBLIC FLOAT
56.12M
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported June 20, 2019
NOBILIS HEALTH CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
British Columbia
001-37349
98-1188172
(State or other jurisdiction of
(Commission File
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation)
Number)
11700 Katy Freeway, Suite 300, Houston, Texas
77079
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (281) 925-0950
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 1.01 Entry into a Materially Definitive Agreement
On June 20, 2019, Nobilis Health Corp. (the “ Company ”), an indirect subsidiary, Northstar Healthcare Acquisitions, L.L.C., as Borrower, and certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors (collectively, the “ Loan Parties ”) entered into a Third Forbearance Agreement (the “ Third Forbearance Agreement ”), dated effective as of June 14, 2019, with respect to the Company’s Credit Agreement dated October 28, 2016, as amended (the “ Credit Agreement ”) with BBVA Compass Bank as Administrative Agent, LC Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender and other lenders party thereto (the “ Lenders ”).
As previously reported, the Loan Parties, Administrative Agent and certain of the Lenders had entered into that certain Limited Conditional Forbearance Agreement, dated effective as of March 31, 2019 (the “ First Forbearance Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Administrative Agent and Lenders agreed to forbear, during the Forbearance Period (as defined in the First Forbearance Agreement, the “ First Forbearance Period ”), which expired on April 30, 2019, from (a) demanding payment in full of all obligations (including principal, interest, fees, and expense, or any other amount due under the Credit Agreement or other loan documents) and (b) exercising their respective rights and remedies with respect to or arising out of the events of default that occurred as a result of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement (i) failing to comply with financial covenants of the Credit Agreement, (ii) making certain Restricted Payments (collectively (i) and (ii), the “ Specified Defaults ”), (iii) failing to comply with the requirements of Section 6.12(a) of the Credit Agreement in respect to NHC Network, LLC, (iv) failing to cause Nobilis Vascular Texas, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of the Borrower, to make payments when due under a promissory note (collectively (iii) and (iv), the “ Disputed Specified Defaults ”), (v) failing to pay a certain demand invoice from the Administrative Agent, delivered to the Borrower on or about March 5, 2019, (vi) failing to comply with the requirements of the Credit Agreement regarding the
disposition of equity interest in a former indirect subsidiary, (vii) failing to pay the principal payments that became due on March 29, 2019, under the Credit Agreement, and (viii) failing to pay interest that became due on March 26, 2019, and on March 29, 2019, under the Credit Agreement (collectively (v), (vi), (vii), and (viii) the “ Additional Events of Default ” and, together with the Specified Defaults and Disputed Specified Defaults, the “ Initial Specified Events of Default ”).
Also, as previously reported, the Loan Parties, Administrative Agent and certain of the Lenders had entered into that certain Second Limited Conditional Forbearance Agreement, dated effective as of April 30, 2019 (the “ Second Forbearance Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Administrative Agent and Lenders agreed to forbear, during the Forbearance Period (as defined in the Second Forbearance Agreement, the “ Second Forbearance Period ”), which expired on June 14, 2019, from (a) demanding payment in full of all obligations (including principal, interest, fees, and expense, or any other amount due under the Credit Agreement or other loan documents) and (b) exercising their respective rights and remedies under the Credit Agreement or other comparable provisions of the other loan documents solely as a result of (i) the existence and continuation of the Initial Specified Events of Default and (ii) the Borrower failing to pay the LC Fee that became due and payable on April 10, 2019 under the Credit Agreement (together with the Initial Specified Events of Default, the “ Specified Events of Default ”)
Pursuant to the terms of the Third Forbearance Agreement, the Administrative Agent and Lenders have agreed that they will forbear, during the Third Forbearance Period (as defined below), from (a) demanding payment in full of all obligations (including principal, interest, fees, and expense, or any other amount due under the Credit Agreement or other loan documents) and (b) exercising their respective rights and remedies under the Credit Agreement and other comparable provisions of the other Loan Documents solely as a result of (i) the existence and continuation of the Specified Events of Default. The forbearance period under the Third Forbearance Agreement (the “ Third Forbearance Period ”) will expire on the earliest to occur of (i) the occurrence of an event of default under the Super Priority Credit Agreement, in each case during the Third Forbearance Period other than (a) the Specified Events of Default or (b) any event of default that occurs due to the failure of the Loan Parties to comply with the certain financial covenants contained in Section 7.11 of the Credit Agreement, (ii) any Loan Party’s actual knowledge of an event of default (other than the Specified Events of Default) that occurred prior to the Third Forbearance Period and that has not been cured within three business days of a Loan Party obtaining actual knowledge of such event of default and (iii) July 31, 2019.
The forgoing descriptions of the First Forbearance Agreement, the Second Forbearance Agreement and the Third Forbearance Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the First Forbearance Agreement, a copy of which was previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 9, 2019, the Second Forbearance Agreement, a copy of which was previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2019, and the Third Forbearance Agreement, a copy of which is filed in Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibit
10.1
Third Limited Conditional Forbearance Agreement, dated effective June 14, 2019.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
NOBILIS HEALTH CORP.
/s/ Brandon Moreno
Brandon Moreno
Chief Financial Officer
Date: June 21, 2019
$HLTH 8-K out today
KEY DATA
OPEN
$0.15
DAY RANGE
0.13 - 0.15
52 WEEK RANGE
0.10 - 1.25
MARKET CAP
$12.74M
SHARES OUTSTANDING
78.18M
PUBLIC FLOAT
56.12M
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported June 20, 2019
NOBILIS HEALTH CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
British Columbia
001-37349
98-1188172
(State or other jurisdiction of
(Commission File
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation)
Number)
11700 Katy Freeway, Suite 300, Houston, Texas
77079
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (281) 925-0950
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 1.01 Entry into a Materially Definitive Agreement
On June 20, 2019, Nobilis Health Corp. (the “ Company ”), an indirect subsidiary, Northstar Healthcare Acquisitions, L.L.C., as Borrower, and certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors (collectively, the “ Loan Parties ”) entered into a Third Forbearance Agreement (the “ Third Forbearance Agreement ”), dated effective as of June 14, 2019, with respect to the Company’s Credit Agreement dated October 28, 2016, as amended (the “ Credit Agreement ”) with BBVA Compass Bank as Administrative Agent, LC Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender and other lenders party thereto (the “ Lenders ”).
As previously reported, the Loan Parties, Administrative Agent and certain of the Lenders had entered into that certain Limited Conditional Forbearance Agreement, dated effective as of March 31, 2019 (the “ First Forbearance Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Administrative Agent and Lenders agreed to forbear, during the Forbearance Period (as defined in the First Forbearance Agreement, the “ First Forbearance Period ”), which expired on April 30, 2019, from (a) demanding payment in full of all obligations (including principal, interest, fees, and expense, or any other amount due under the Credit Agreement or other loan documents) and (b) exercising their respective rights and remedies with respect to or arising out of the events of default that occurred as a result of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement (i) failing to comply with financial covenants of the Credit Agreement, (ii) making certain Restricted Payments (collectively (i) and (ii), the “ Specified Defaults ”), (iii) failing to comply with the requirements of Section 6.12(a) of the Credit Agreement in respect to NHC Network, LLC, (iv) failing to cause Nobilis Vascular Texas, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of the Borrower, to make payments when due under a promissory note (collectively (iii) and (iv), the “ Disputed Specified Defaults ”), (v) failing to pay a certain demand invoice from the Administrative Agent, delivered to the Borrower on or about March 5, 2019, (vi) failing to comply with the requirements of the Credit Agreement regarding the
disposition of equity interest in a former indirect subsidiary, (vii) failing to pay the principal payments that became due on March 29, 2019, under the Credit Agreement, and (viii) failing to pay interest that became due on March 26, 2019, and on March 29, 2019, under the Credit Agreement (collectively (v), (vi), (vii), and (viii) the “ Additional Events of Default ” and, together with the Specified Defaults and Disputed Specified Defaults, the “ Initial Specified Events of Default ”).
Also, as previously reported, the Loan Parties, Administrative Agent and certain of the Lenders had entered into that certain Second Limited Conditional Forbearance Agreement, dated effective as of April 30, 2019 (the “ Second Forbearance Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Administrative Agent and Lenders agreed to forbear, during the Forbearance Period (as defined in the Second Forbearance Agreement, the “ Second Forbearance Period ”), which expired on June 14, 2019, from (a) demanding payment in full of all obligations (including principal, interest, fees, and expense, or any other amount due under the Credit Agreement or other loan documents) and (b) exercising their respective rights and remedies under the Credit Agreement or other comparable provisions of the other loan documents solely as a result of (i) the existence and continuation of the Initial Specified Events of Default and (ii) the Borrower failing to pay the LC Fee that became due and payable on April 10, 2019 under the Credit Agreement (together with the Initial Specified Events of Default, the “ Specified Events of Default ”)
Pursuant to the terms of the Third Forbearance Agreement, the Administrative Agent and Lenders have agreed that they will forbear, during the Third Forbearance Period (as defined below), from (a) demanding payment in full of all obligations (including principal, interest, fees, and expense, or any other amount due under the Credit Agreement or other loan documents) and (b) exercising their respective rights and remedies under the Credit Agreement and other comparable provisions of the other Loan Documents solely as a result of (i) the existence and continuation of the Specified Events of Default. The forbearance period under the Third Forbearance Agreement (the “ Third Forbearance Period ”) will expire on the earliest to occur of (i) the occurrence of an event of default under the Super Priority Credit Agreement, in each case during the Third Forbearance Period other than (a) the Specified Events of Default or (b) any event of default that occurs due to the failure of the Loan Parties to comply with the certain financial covenants contained in Section 7.11 of the Credit Agreement, (ii) any Loan Party’s actual knowledge of an event of default (other than the Specified Events of Default) that occurred prior to the Third Forbearance Period and that has not been cured within three business days of a Loan Party obtaining actual knowledge of such event of default and (iii) July 31, 2019.
The forgoing descriptions of the First Forbearance Agreement, the Second Forbearance Agreement and the Third Forbearance Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the First Forbearance Agreement, a copy of which was previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 9, 2019, the Second Forbearance Agreement, a copy of which was previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2019, and the Third Forbearance Agreement, a copy of which is filed in Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibit
10.1
Third Limited Conditional Forbearance Agreement, dated effective June 14, 2019.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
NOBILIS HEALTH CORP.
/s/ Brandon Moreno
Brandon Moreno
Chief Financial Officer
Date: June 21, 2019
$IDSA is down. It may be the perfect time to load up again.
$IDSA low volume after selloff. It may be bottoming.
KEY DATA
OPEN
$0.985
DAY RANGE
0.985 - 1.00
52 WEEK RANGE
0.955 - 2.69
MARKET CAP
$8.27M
SHARES OUTSTANDING
8.11M
PUBLIC FLOAT
4.3M
IDSA NASDAQ Listed Company Overview
Industrial Services of America, Inc. buys, processes and markets ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and other recyclable commodities. The Company operates through Recycling Segment. The Company's Recycling Segment collects, purchases, processes, and sells ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal to steel mini-mills, integrated steel makers, foundries and refineries. It buys, dismantles and sells used auto parts. It purchases ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal from industrial and commercial generators of steel, iron, aluminum, copper, stainless steel and other metals, and from scrap dealers and retail customers who deliver these materials to its facilities. It processes scrap metal through sorting, cutting and baling. Its non-ferrous scrap recycling operations consist of collecting, sorting and processing various grades of copper, aluminum, stainless steel and brass. Its used automobile yard purchases automobiles so that retail customers can locate and remove used parts for purchase.
Company Contact
Headquarters
7100 Grade Ln Bldg 1
Louisville, KY 40213-3424
http://www.isa-inc.com/
$IDSA low volume after selloff. It may be bottoming.
KEY DATA
OPEN
$0.985
DAY RANGE
0.985 - 1.00
52 WEEK RANGE
0.955 - 2.69
MARKET CAP
$8.27M
SHARES OUTSTANDING
8.11M
PUBLIC FLOAT
4.3M
IDSA NASDAQ Listed Company Overview
Industrial Services of America, Inc. buys, processes and markets ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and other recyclable commodities. The Company operates through Recycling Segment. The Company's Recycling Segment collects, purchases, processes, and sells ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal to steel mini-mills, integrated steel makers, foundries and refineries. It buys, dismantles and sells used auto parts. It purchases ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal from industrial and commercial generators of steel, iron, aluminum, copper, stainless steel and other metals, and from scrap dealers and retail customers who deliver these materials to its facilities. It processes scrap metal through sorting, cutting and baling. Its non-ferrous scrap recycling operations consist of collecting, sorting and processing various grades of copper, aluminum, stainless steel and brass. Its used automobile yard purchases automobiles so that retail customers can locate and remove used parts for purchase.
Company Contact
Headquarters
7100 Grade Ln Bldg 1
Louisville, KY 40213-3424
http://www.isa-inc.com/
$IDSA low volume after selloff. It may be bottoming.
KEY DATA
OPEN
$0.985
DAY RANGE
0.985 - 1.00
52 WEEK RANGE
0.955 - 2.69
MARKET CAP
$8.27M
SHARES OUTSTANDING
8.11M
PUBLIC FLOAT
4.3M
IDSA NASDAQ Listed Company Overview
Industrial Services of America, Inc. buys, processes and markets ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and other recyclable commodities. The Company operates through Recycling Segment. The Company's Recycling Segment collects, purchases, processes, and sells ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal to steel mini-mills, integrated steel makers, foundries and refineries. It buys, dismantles and sells used auto parts. It purchases ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal from industrial and commercial generators of steel, iron, aluminum, copper, stainless steel and other metals, and from scrap dealers and retail customers who deliver these materials to its facilities. It processes scrap metal through sorting, cutting and baling. Its non-ferrous scrap recycling operations consist of collecting, sorting and processing various grades of copper, aluminum, stainless steel and brass. Its used automobile yard purchases automobiles so that retail customers can locate and remove used parts for purchase.
Company Contact
Headquarters
7100 Grade Ln Bldg 1
Louisville, KY 40213-3424
http://www.isa-inc.com/