Method for performing virtual segmentation and wired communication device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for performing virtual segmentation and a wired communication device. A method and device for dynamically designating a first subset and a second subset of a plurality of frequency channels as uplink and downlink channels, respectively, for performing wired communication using virtual segmentation between a network controller and an endpoint device, and performing virtual segmentation to serve an endpoint device. Communication is performed between the network controller and the endpoint device using the uplink and downlink channels over a wired communication medium. The first subset and the second subset of the plurality of channels are designated as uplink and downlink channels, respectively, based at least in part on one or both of uplink and downlink channel demand and channel availability.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 202080012461.4, application date February 4, 2020, and invention title "Method for Performing Virtual Segmentation and Wired Communication Device". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to virtual segmentation of wired communication media. Background Technology

[0003] Wired communication media such as coaxial cable and power line carrier (PLC) are widely deployed to provide wired communication to electronic devices. The increasing throughput requirements of modern devices in both the uplink and downlink directions pose challenges to traditional wired media in adapting to these increased traffic demands. Therefore, improvements to the implementation of wired communication are needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The subject matter of the independent claims of this application at least partially solves the above-mentioned problems. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for performing virtual segmentation to serve endpoint devices. Multiple channels are specified within a frequency range, wherein each of the multiple channels comprises a separate frequency sub-band within that frequency range.

[0006] A first subset of the multiple channels is designated as uplink channels, and a second subset of the multiple channels is designated as downlink channels for virtual segmentation. Communication between the network controller and endpoint devices is performed using multiple channels via coaxial cable.

[0007] In some implementations, a first subset of multiple channels is designated as an uplink channel and a second subset of multiple channels is designated as a downlink channel, based at least in part on one or both of the demand for uplink and downlink channels and channel availability.

[0008] The present invention is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the subjects described in this document. Therefore, it should be understood that the above features are merely embodiments and should not be construed as narrowing the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0009] A better understanding of the invention can be obtained by considering the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of spectrum allocation implemented using Virtual Segmentation (VS) based on the Wired Data Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) according to some implementation methods;

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of spectrum allocation implemented without utilizing DOCSIS, according to some implementation methods.

[0012] Figure 3 A VS link is shown, according to some implementations, which connects a fiber optic node (FN) to an endpoint device via a series of repeaters;

[0013] Figure 4 An exemplary VS overlap including a VS transmitter, a VS repeater, and a VS receiver according to some implementations is shown.

[0014] Figure 5 A sample VS system diagram including auxiliary service points is shown according to some implementations;

[0015] Figure 6 A wired communication system including analog-to-digital conversion and digital-to-analog conversion according to some embodiments is shown;

[0016] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for performing wired communication between a network controller and an endpoint device according to some embodiments; and

[0017] Figure 8 An exemplary parallel processor system that may exist in a wired communication device according to some embodiments is shown.

[0018] While the invention is readily available in various modifications and alternatives, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and the detailed description thereof are not intended to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but rather are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Detailed Implementation

[0019] the term

[0020] The following is a glossary of terms used in this disclosure:

[0021] Memory media – any of various types of nontransitory memory devices or storage devices. The term “memory media” is intended to include: mounting media, such as CD-ROM, floppy disk, or magnetic tape devices; computer system memory or random access memory, such as DRAM, DDRRAM, SRAM, EDORAM, RambusRAM, etc.; non-volatile memory, such as flash memory, magnetic media (e.g., hard disk drive, or optical storage); registers or other similar types of memory elements, etc. Memory media may also include other types of nontransitory memory or combinations thereof. Furthermore, memory media may reside in a first computer system in which a program is executed, or may reside in a different second computer system connected to the first computer system via a network such as the Internet. In the latter case, the second computer system may provide program instructions to the first computer for execution. The term “memory media” may include two or more memory media residing in different locations (e.g., in different computer systems connected via a network). Memory media may store program instructions (e.g., implemented as a computer program) executable by one or more processors.

[0022] Carrier medium - memory media as described above, as well as physical transmission media (such as buses, networks) and / or other physical transmission media that transmit signals such as electrical signals, electromagnetic signals, or digital signals.

[0023] Programmable hardware elements encompass a variety of hardware devices that include multiple programmable functional blocks connected via programmable interconnects. Examples include FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), FPOAs (Field-Programmable Object Arrays), and CPLDs (Complex PLDs). The range of programmable functional blocks can vary from fine-grained (combinational logic or lookup tables) to coarse-grained (arithmetic logic units or processor cores). Programmable hardware elements can also be referred to as "reconfigurable logic."

[0024] Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) – This term is intended to have its full breadth of meaning. The term ASIC is intended to include custom-designed integrated circuits for specific applications, rather than general-purpose programmable devices, although ASICs may contain programmable processor chips as building blocks. Mobile phone batteries, MP3 player chips, and many other single-function ICs are examples of ASICs. ASICs are typically described using hardware description languages ​​such as Verilog or VHDL.

[0025] Program – The term “program” is intended to have its full breadth of meaning. The term “program” includes 1) a software program that can be stored in memory and executed by a processor, or 2) a hardware configuration program that can be used to configure programmable hardware elements or ASICs.

[0026] Software program – The term “software program” is intended to have the full breadth of its common meaning and includes any type of program instructions, code, scripts, and / or data, or combinations thereof, which may be stored in a storage medium and executed by a processor. Exemplary software programs include programs written in text-based programming languages, such as imputed or procedural languages ​​like C, C++, PASCAL, FORTRAN, COBOL, JAVA, assembly language, etc.; graphical programs (programs written in graphical programming languages); assembly language programs; programs that have been compiled into machine language; scripts; and other types of executable software. A software program may contain two or more software programs that interoperate in some way.

[0027] Hardware configuration program - A program that can be used to program or configure programmable hardware components or ASICs, such as netlists or bit files.

[0028] Computer system – any of various types of computing or processing systems, including personal computer systems (PCs), mainframe computer systems, workstations, network appliances, internet-connected appliances, personal digital assistants (PDAs), television systems, grid computing systems, or other devices or combinations thereof. Generally, the term "computer system" can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from memory media.

[0029] User equipment (UE) (or “UE device”) – any of a variety of computer systems or devices that are mobile or portable and perform wireless communications. Examples of UE devices include mobile phones or smartphones (e.g., iPhone-based). TM Android TM Telephones), portable gaming devices (such as Nintendo DS) TM PlayStation Portable TM GameboyAdvance TM iPhone TM Wearable devices (such as smartwatches and smart glasses), laptops, PDAs, portable internet devices, music players, data storage devices, or other handheld devices. Generally, the term "UE" or "UE device" can be broadly defined to encompass any electronic, computing, and / or telecommunications device (or combination of devices) that is easily transportable by a user and capable of wireless communication.

[0030] Wireless device – any of various types of computer systems or devices that perform wireless communication. A wireless device can be portable (or mobile), or it can be stationary or fixed in one location. UE is an embodiment of a wireless device.

[0031] Communication equipment – ​​any type of computer system or device that performs communication, wherein the communication may be wired or wireless. Communication equipment may be portable (or mobile), or stationary or fixed in one location. Wireless equipment is an embodiment of communication equipment. UE is another embodiment of communication equipment.

[0032] Base station - The term "base station" has the full range of its common meaning and includes at least a wireless communication station that is installed in a fixed location and used for communication as part of a wireless telephone system or radio system.

[0033] Processing element – ​​refers to various elements or combinations of elements. Processing elements include, for example, circuits such as ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits), portions or circuits of a single processor core, the entire processor core, a single processor, programmable hardware devices such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or larger portions of systems that include multiple processors.

[0034] A channel is a medium used to transmit information from a sender (transmitter) to a receiver. It should be noted that because the characteristics of the term "channel" can vary depending on different wireless or wired protocols, the term "channel" as used herein can be considered as being used in a manner consistent with the standards of that type of device, depending on which term is used. In some standards, channel bandwidth can be variable (e.g., depending on device capabilities, frequency band conditions, etc.). For example, LTE can support scalable channel bandwidths from 1.4 MHz to 20 MHz. In contrast, a WLAN channel bandwidth might be 22 MHz, while a Bluetooth channel bandwidth might be 1 MHz. Other protocols and standards may include different channel definitions. Furthermore, some standards can define and use multiple types of channels, such as different channels for uplink or downlink and / or different channels for different purposes (e.g., data, control information, etc.).

[0035] Frequency band – The term “frequency band” has the full range of its general meaning and includes at least the portion of the spectrum in which a channel is used or reserved for the same purpose (e.g., the radio spectrum).

[0036] Automatically refers to an action or operation performed by a computer system (e.g., software executed by the computer system) or device (e.g., circuits, programmable hardware elements, ASICs, etc.) without requiring user input to directly specify or perform that action or operation. Therefore, the term "automatically" is the opposite of an operation performed or specified manually by a user, where the user provides input to directly perform the operation. An automated program can be initiated by user-provided input, but subsequent actions performed "automatically" are not specified by the user; that is, they are not performed "manually," where the user specifies each action to be performed. For example, a user filling out an electronic form by selecting each field and providing input specifying information (e.g., by typing information, selecting a checkbox, radio selection, etc.) is manually filling out the form, even though the computer system must update the form in response to the user's actions. Forms can be filled out automatically by a computer system, where the computer system (e.g., software executed on the computer system) analyzes the fields of the form and fills out the form without any user input specifying answers to the fields. As noted above, a user can invoke automatic form filling, but this does not involve the actual filling of the form (e.g., the user does not manually specify answers to the fields, but the answers are automatically completed). This manual provides various examples of operations that are automatically performed in response to actions taken by the user.

[0037] "Configured as" – Various components can be described as being "configured to" perform one or more tasks. In this context, "configured as" is a broad description that generally refers to "having a structure that performs said one or more tasks during operation." Therefore, a component can be configured to perform a task even if it is not currently performing one (e.g., a set of electrical conductors can be configured to electrically connect one module to another even if two modules are not connected). In some contexts, "configured as" is a broad description that generally refers to "having a circuit that performs one or more tasks during operation." Therefore, a component can be configured to perform a task even if it is not currently switched on. Generally, the circuit forming the structure corresponding to "configured as" can include hardware circuitry.

[0038] For ease of description, various components may be described as performing one or more tasks. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including the phrase "configured to". The enumeration of components configured to perform one or more tasks is not intended to invoke the interpretation of that component in paragraph 6 of §112 of 35 U.S.SC.

[0039] Virtual Segmentation

[0040] Below, some exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the improved dynamic resource allocation and utilization in the Virtual Segmentation (VS) implementation.

[0041] VS divides the feasible communication spectrum for wired communication into multiple virtual segments corresponding to different frequency bands. For example, coaxial cable may be suitable for wired communication at frequencies up to 3 GHz or even higher. In some implementations, these virtual segments are dynamically allocated to uplink or downlink communication. In contrast to virtual segments, conventional segments can refer to different portions of the frequency passband in coaxial cable or other communication media that are fixed in hardware for either uplink or downlink communication, but not both simultaneously. Virtual segments, on the other hand, can be used alternatively for either uplink or downlink communication.

[0042] VS (Vibration Range) is a method for extending the frequency range typically used in cable equipment to enable high-speed service delivery between dedicated endpoints at fiber optic nodes and remote PHY devices (RPDs). VS can provide additional bandwidth as well as traditional broadcast and cable modem services within residential deployment areas without laying additional fiber optic cables. Implementations described herein present methods and systems for improving resource allocation and utilization in VS implementations or in other types of network communications.

[0043] VS Link System Design

[0044] Wired access networks have evolved to adopt a Distributed Access Architecture (DAA). This architecture allows access hardware to be relocated from the headend to smaller fiber nodes. This implementation separates the Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP) core from the PHY functionality, enabling the Remote PHY (R-PHY) to be deployed closer to the user area. This typically utilizes a digital optical link to provide a connection back to the CCAP core, requiring fiber all the way to the R-PHY. VS utilizes unused spectrum at higher frequencies on the cable equipment to avoid running additional fiber to the R-PHY.

[0045] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Exemplary spectrum allocations with and without the Wired Data Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) are shown. As illustrated, when DOCSIS is used for the lower portion of the spectrum, uplink VS traffic can be used for 1.75 Gbps throughput, while higher available frequencies can be used for downlink VS traffic with 8 Gbps available throughput. Alternatively, if DOCSIS is not present, the entire 3 GHz band (potentially excluding any frequencies reserved for exclusion and / or guard bands) can be evenly distributed between uplink and downlink VS.

[0046] Figure 3 This describes connecting a fiber optic node (FN) to a VS link of an R-PHY via a series of repeaters. Each repeater (RP) terminates and regenerates the signal transmission, extending the range of high-bandwidth transmission deep into the user area, thereby eliminating the need for fiber overhead from the FN to the R-PHY and significantly reducing the cost of node segmentation.

[0047] VS Overlapping System Architecture

[0048] Figure 4 An exemplary VS overlap is illustrated, comprising three main system components: a VS transmitter 402, a VS repeater 404, and a VS receiver 406. The VS transmitter encodes and modulates the Ethernet stream for transmission over coaxial cable via a duplexer shared with the optical node. The VS repeater regenerates the Ethernet stream (i.e., demodulates and decodes, then encodes and modulates) on the high-frequency side of each transmit and receive duplexer on a coaxial interface shared with the amplifier. VS repeaters in the uplink (US) or downlink (DS) direction can be viewed as similar to back-to-back receiver / transmitter (RX|TX) pairs. Simultaneous US|DS operation involves two such RX|TX pairs, their respective frequency bands appropriately frequency-multiplexed. The VS receiver demodulates and decodes the signal received on the high-frequency side of the duplexer on a coaxial interface shared with the amplifier to recover the Ethernet stream to the R-PHY.

[0049] Figure 5 –VS System Diagram

[0050] Figure 5 An example VS system diagram with auxiliary service points is shown according to some implementations; as shown, the VS overlaps to equip each repeater with high-speed transmission to support the hosting of various auxiliary services, such as Wi-Fi hotspots, small cells, and / or mobile backhaul. These service points can be configured to provide access to / from a wireless user group or to provide bridging to / from an associated wireless network. Advantageously, dynamic provisioning of high-speed services can be enabled anywhere along the cable strands, again without the need for laying fiber optic cables.

[0051] In some implementations, auxiliary service points can be used for Software Defined Radio (SDR) implementations. Deployed along the cable bundle as needed, the operational requirements of Wi-Fi access points, small cell base stations, or backhaul transceivers can be adapted to the same SDR processing facility along with VSTX|RX processing. In these implementations, auxiliary service points can be tailored as needed to accommodate changing service requirements or updates in the underlying radio protocol.

[0052] While the system design outlined according to some of the embodiments described herein refers to broadband service deployments over coaxial cable, many design features can be extended to include other network arrangements, including power line carrier (PLC) or twisted-pair copper based on telephone lines.

[0053] For any communication protocol, the system design specifies the frame structure, channelization, modulation, and coding to achieve efficient transmission over a specified medium (e.g., coaxial cable, power line carrier, radio frequency carrier).

[0054] In some implementations, the VS system can be designed to accommodate bandwidths up to 3 GHz or greater over coaxial cable transmission. Lower band edges can be adjusted to accommodate various DOCSIS deployments, i.e., 860, 1002, 1218, and / or 1794 MHz plus a guard band. In the absence of DOCSIS, the entire bandwidth of 3 GHz or higher (e.g., 5–3000 MHz) can be used.

[0055] In some implementations, the addressable channel bandwidth can be defined in discrete sub-bands (e.g., 24-192 MHz in 24 MHz steps, or other bandwidths and sub-band sizes). Bands can be enumerated to maximize the filling of the spectrum from the low-band edge to the high-band edge (i.e., the channel bandwidth can be adjusted to reduce the balance of unused spectrum). Code blocks can be independently assigned to channel bands to allow easy parallelization of TX or RX designs. In some implementations, exclusion bands and / or guard bands can be configured from a set of parameterized sub-bands.

[0056] The frame period can be defined (e.g., 1 ms), and the system configuration can be changed and signaled to this end. The bit load can be adjusted based on the available channel capacity from the start frequency to the end frequency of the frequency band (e.g., based on the current signal-to-interference-plus-noise (SINR) for each sub-band). In some implementations, the division between uplink and downlink channel allocations can be configured on a per-frame basis.

[0057] Figure 6 Modular system implementation

[0058] Figure 6 A simplified wired communication system, including an optical fiber node 602, a repeater 604, and a remote PHY device (606), is shown according to some embodiments. As shown in the figure, Figure 6 This demonstrates how repeater devices utilize back-to-back analog-to-digital converters and digital-to-analog converters to re-digitize and retransmit received communications, thereby improving signal fidelity.

[0059] It can be seen that the processing requirements at fiber optic nodes, repeaters, and endpoint devices share strong commonalities. TX|RX pairs appear at each analog RF (e.g., coaxial cable) and digital (e.g., Ethernet) crossover point. A VS repeater can use two such crossover points. Variations in processing load may be due to the corresponding US|DS bandwidth allocation. TX and RX processing requirements may also be identical or at least substantially similar in other ways, allowing for modular reuse along the line. Figure 6The line segmentation of processing facilities depicted extends up to and includes the entire channel bandwidth allocated in the uplink or downlink direction. In other words, multiple processing elements in a multiprocessor system such as HyperX™ can be dynamically reallocated from processing uplink or downlink communications. Processing at each TX|RX pair can be further subdivided along specified channel boundaries to combine multiple processing elements in parallel to provide the required system throughput. A modular approach to system design may be particularly advantageous for SDR implementation.

[0060] Figure 7 Sub-frequency band allocation flowchart

[0061] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for performing wired communication between a network controller and an endpoint device according to some embodiments. Figure 7 The aspects of the method shown can be implemented by one or more wired communication devices used as part of a wired communication system, including, for example... Figure 4 The transmitter 402, repeater 404, and / or receiver 406 shown, as well as other types of devices as shown and described with respect to the accompanying drawings, or more generally, any computer system or device shown in the drawings, and other circuits, systems, devices, elements, or components shown in the drawings, and other devices as contemplated. For example, one or more processors (or processing elements) of the devices (e.g., processor 302, baseband processor, processor associated with communication circuitry (e.g., 330), etc., in various possibilities) may cause the devices to perform some or all of the method elements shown. The described method steps may be performed by one or more devices to orchestrate wired communication between a network controller and an endpoint device. For example, the network controller, the endpoint device, and / or one or more devices connected between the network controller and the endpoint device may be configured to simultaneously perform the described method steps to orchestrate wired communication between the network controller and the endpoint device.

[0062] In various implementations, some of the elements of the method shown may be executed in parallel, in an order different from that shown, replaced by elements of other methods, or omitted. Additional method elements may also be executed as needed. As shown, the method may operate as follows.

[0063] At 702, multiple channels are specified within a frequency range. Each of these channels comprises a separate frequency sub-band within the frequency range. As used herein, "channel" can be understood to refer to a specific range of frequencies used for a specific portion of uplink or downlink communication over a wired communication medium. For example, there may be a frequency range available for communication over a wired medium (e.g., a coaxial cable for a PLC), and multiple channels can be specified for the corresponding multiple frequency sub-bands within that range. As an example, a large portion of the spectrum up to 3 GHz (e.g., from 5 MHz to 3 GHz) can be used for wired communication (e.g., such as...). Figure 2 (as shown), and this frequency range can be divided into multiple frequency channels with equal bandwidth. Alternatively, a portion of the spectrum may already be reserved for other wired communications such as DOCSIS, and frequency ranges corresponding to multiple channels can be selected to avoid overlap with frequencies used for other wired communications (e.g., as shown). Figure 1 (As shown in the diagram). In other words, sub-bands for multiple channels are selected to avoid overlapping bandwidth used by the Wired Data Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS). Selecting sub-bands for multiple channels to avoid bandwidth overlap utilized by DOCSIS may involve selecting sub-bands for multiple channels that appear at frequencies higher than the highest frequency utilized by DOCSIS plus a guard interval. In some implementations, it can be determined that communication between the network controller and the endpoint device does not utilize DOCSIS. Based at least in part on the determination that communication between the network controller and the endpoint device does not utilize DOCSIS, sub-bands for multiple channels can be specified as the entire available bandwidth across the coaxial cable.

[0064] At 704, a first subset of the multiple channels is designated as uplink channels, and a second subset of the multiple channels is designated as downlink channels for communication with the endpoint device. For example, the first subset may include multiple channels, while the second subset may include multiple frequency channels that do not intersect with the first subset.

[0065] In some implementations, at least in part, a first subset of multiple channels is designated as uplink channels, and a second subset of multiple channels is designated as downlink channels, based on uplink and downlink channel demand. For example, it can be determined how much channel demand currently exists in the uplink and downlink directions, and first and second subsets of multiple channels can be designated to accommodate the current channel demand. For instance, if the endpoint device is currently performing a large amount of uplink traffic, a larger subset of channels can be designated as uplink channels to accommodate this large volume of traffic.

[0066] In some implementations, a first subset and a second subset of the multiple channels are specified by a device including a multi-parallel processor system. In these implementations, different processors among the multiple processors can operate different channels, and the processor allocation for operating both uplink and downlink communications can be dynamically modified to adapt to current channel requirements.

[0067] In some implementations, the allocation of a first subset of multiple channels as uplink channels and a second subset of multiple channels as downlink channels is further performed, at least in part, based on channel availability. For example, the allocation between uplink and downlink frequency resources can be shifted using channel availability that aligns with user demand. A first set of frame periods may experience downlink throughput exceeding uplink throughput requirements, while another set of frame periods may experience uplink demand exceeding downlink throughput requirements. The allocation of bandwidth may be disproportionate, taking into account differences in attenuation and / or incoming noise between different frequency bands. For example, higher frequency bands may result in greater attenuation, and these bands are often reserved for downlink communication because the network controller typically has greater transmission power than the endpoint devices, allowing the increased transmission power to compensate for the greater attenuation. For example, in scenarios where uplink and downlink communication requirements are comparable, if downlink communication is performed on a higher frequency band with greater attenuation than uplink communication, it may be necessary to allocate more than half of the available bandwidth to downlink communication. In some implementations, bandwidth allocation is specified as a dynamic system configuration, where the division between uplink and downlink is not predetermined but can be dynamically updated based on factors such as demand, attenuation, and / or noise levels.

[0068] In some implementations, one or more of the code rate and modulation scheme for one or more of a plurality of channels are selected based on the attenuation level associated with the frequency range of the respective channel. For example, higher frequency ranges typically experience greater attenuation levels, and the code rate and / or modulation scheme for communication on different channels can be modified to accommodate the variability of their respective attenuation levels. For example, a lower code rate and / or a more error-resistant modulation scheme can be selected for a channel in a frequency range with a larger attenuation level compared to a channel in a frequency range with a smaller attenuation level.

[0069] In some implementations, a new first subset of multiple channels can be dynamically reassigned as uplink channels, and / or a new second subset of multiple channels can be dynamically reassigned as downlink channels. In various implementations, reassignment can be performed dynamically based on current traffic conditions and / or the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) associated with communication between the network controller and the endpoint device. For example, if the endpoint device changes the current relative amounts of uplink and downlink traffic (e.g., if the endpoint device starts or terminates an application utilizing a large amount of uplink or downlink traffic), the first and second subsets can be dynamically reassigned to accommodate the new traffic allocation. Dynamic reassignment of the new first and second subsets can be performed periodically at predetermined intervals. Dynamic reassignment of the new first and second subsets can also be performed on a per-frame basis.

[0070] In some implementations, communication with the endpoint device can utilize virtual segments on a coaxial cable. Alternatively, according to various implementations, communication can be performed via a PLC, telephone-line-based twisted-pair copper wire, or another type of wired communication medium. The endpoint device can be a remote PHY device (RPD), a smart TV, a computer, a laptop, a smartphone, or other types of devices.

[0071] In some implementations, a third subset of multiple channels can be designated as an exclusion and / or guard band. For example, such as Figure 1-2 As shown, exclusion and / or guard bands can be specified between a subset of channels used for uplink traffic, a subset of channels used for downlink traffic, and / or a subset of frequencies used for other communications (e.g., DOCSIS). Exclusion and / or guard bands can be used to reduce, for example, interference between uplink and downlink traffic.

[0072] In some implementations, exclusion and / or guard bands can allow high-fidelity communication without using duplexers to avoid interference between channels. For example, duplexers are typically deployed as fixed-frequency devices that reduce interference between channels within a predetermined and fixed frequency range. While duplexers can be effective, they have limited flexibility and may not adapt to the dynamic allocation of frequency boundaries between uplink and downlink communications. To address these and other issues, in some implementations, exclusion and / or guard bands can be used to avoid or reduce interference between channels, and the location of the exclusion and / or guard bands can be dynamically adjusted to adapt to the dynamic allocation of frequency boundaries between uplink and downlink channels.

[0073] Subbands for multiple channels can be selected to extend to the upper band edge of the coaxial cable. Subbands for each of the multiple channels can be selected to increase channel utilization across the frequency range. For example, subbands can be selected to utilize most of the available frequency range of the communication medium.

[0074] At 706, communication between the network controller and the endpoint devices is performed using multiple channels. In various implementations, communication can be performed via coaxial cable, or it can be performed via a PLC, telephone-line-based twisted-pair copper wire, or another type of wired communication medium. Uplink communication may utilize a subset of the channels and can be directed by a first set of processing resources of a parallel processor system, while downlink communication may utilize a second subset of the channels and can be directed by a second set of processing resources of a parallel processor system. In some implementations, communication is performed by a VS repeater and may include receiving uplink and / or downlink communication, performing back-to-back analog-to-digital conversion, followed by digital-to-analog conversion (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 6 (As shown), uplink and / or downlink communication is then transmitted via a wired communication medium. Alternatively or additionally, communication can be performed by a network controller and / or endpoint devices, in which case, for each of the uplink and downlink communication, only one of digital-to-analog conversion or analog-to-digital conversion may be performed, such as... Figure 6 As shown.

[0075] In some embodiments, the wired communication device may further include a radio device coupled to one or more processors of the wired communication device. In these embodiments, the wired communication device may also be configured to host ancillary services, such as serving as a Wi-Fi hotspot, small cell base station, and / or mobile backhaul transceiver. Figure 5 As shown. Wired communication devices can utilize radio devices to host wireless auxiliary services, and these services can provide one or both of wired-to-wireless and wireless-to-wired communication interoperability. For example, a VS repeater device can receive uplink and / or downlink communications and can convert communications from a wired communication medium to a wireless communication medium corresponding to the auxiliary service. Alternatively or additionally, the VS repeater device can receive wireless communications via a wireless communication medium and can convert and transmit them according to the wired communication medium. This allows communications to be rerouted from a wired communication medium to a wireless communication medium and vice versa, and communications can be received from and transmitted to a remote wireless device, such as a user equipment (UE).

[0076] VS system parameters

[0077] This section provides an example set of system parameters for implementing the embodiments described herein. The specific parameters referenced are exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. For example, any of a variety of different parameters may be used, such as different modulation schemes and channel coding methods.

[0078] As an example, the channel bandwidth can be defined in 24MHz steps as follows:

[0079] B CH = m·24MHz, m = 1, 2, ..., 8

[0080] A 1MHz guard band can be included at the edge of any band, for example, providing 22MHz capacity in a 24MHz channel or 190MHz capacity in a 192MHz channel. The VS band start can be assigned based on the presence or absence of DOCSIS (and a guard interval, if applicable):

[0081]

[0082] B stop =3GHz

[0083] In some implementations, the frequency band start frequency B can be used. start Channel allocation, and when the allocation is close to the end frequency BB of the frequency band. stop At the same time, channel bandwidth can be adjusted to reduce unused spectrum. Frequency division multiplexing can be used for both uplink and downlink communication, adjusting resource allocation as needed to adapt to changes in bandwidth requirements. Time division multiplexing can be used to enable additional endpoints in point-to-multipoint arrangements. Full-duplex usage can be reserved to enable simultaneous US / DS transmissions in designated sub-bands as needed. Designated exclusion and guard bands can be put into dormancy as needed based on US / DS separation and the observed presence of incoming noise.

[0084] An example of the allocated OFDM parameters is shown below:

[0085] Δf = 25, 50 kHz

[0086]

[0087] N FFT = 8192,4096 samples

[0088] Alternatively, the protection interval can be adopted as follows:

[0089] N CP = 192,256,512,768,1024 samples

[0090] N WIN =0,64,128,192,256 samples: number of samples

[0091] Alternatively, modulation and coding for each channel can be allocated based on frequency and channel capacity:

[0092] Modulation: 256-QAM, 512-QAM, 1024-QAM, ...

[0093] Channel coding: LDPC, Polar

[0094] Block size: 16200 bits

[0095] Bitrate: 11 / 15, 12 / 15, 13 / 15

[0096] The frame period can be set throughout the entire symbol (including the guard interval), up to a maximum of The system parameter update rate can be determined, including channel allocation, OFDM parameters, guard interval, modulation and coding, and US / DS splitting based on each frame. Other numerological configurations can be used based on different parameter choices.

[0097] Parallel processor system

[0098] Figure 8 An exemplary parallel processor system, which may exist in a wired communication device according to some embodiments, is illustrated. In this embodiment, the processor system may include a plurality of distributed processors and memory, as shown in the figure, where rectangles are processing elements (also called functional units) and circles are memory, also called data memory routers. The processor system may be programmed to implement the methods described herein. For more information on exemplary processor system architectures that may be used in some embodiments, see U.S. Patent Nos. 7,415,594 and 8,880,866, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully and completely set forth herein. Another embodiment of the processor system is a programmable hardware element (PHE) as defined above. For example, a decoder may include a PHE, such as an FPGA, which may be configured to implement the methods described herein.

[0099] Embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in any of a variety of forms. For example, in some embodiments, the invention may be implemented as a computer-implemented method, a computer-readable memory medium, or a computer system. In other embodiments, the invention may be implemented using one or more custom-designed hardware devices, such as ASICs. In still other embodiments, the invention may be implemented using one or more programmable hardware elements, such as FPGAs.

[0100] In some implementations, a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium may be configured to store program instructions and / or data, wherein the program instructions, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method, such as any of the method implementations described herein, or any combination of the method implementations described herein, or any subset of any of the method implementations described herein, or any combination of such subsets.

[0101] In some embodiments, the computing device may be configured to include a processor (or a group of processors) and a memory medium, wherein the memory medium stores program instructions, and wherein the processor is configured to read from the memory medium and execute the program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable to perform any of the various method embodiments described herein (or any combination of method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets). The device may be implemented in any of a variety of forms.

[0102] While specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, even if only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. Unless otherwise stated, embodiments of the features provided in this disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The above description is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that will be apparent to those skilled in the art as to benefit from this disclosure.

[0103] The scope of this disclosure includes any feature or combination of features disclosed herein (explicitly or implicitly), or any generalization thereof, whether or not it alleviates any or all the problems addressed herein. Therefore, during the examination of this application (or an application claiming priority thereto), new claims may be made against any such combination of features. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features of dependent claims may be combined with features of independent claims, and features of corresponding independent claims may be combined in any suitable manner, not just the specific combinations listed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: The processor is configured to enable a virtual repeater station located between the endpoint device and the cable head end: Multiple channels within a specified frequency range are defined by a virtual repeater station, each of which includes a separate frequency sub-band within the frequency range, wherein the separate frequency sub-band is selected to occur at a frequency higher than the highest frequency utilized by the Data Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) plus a guard interval. The virtual repeater station designates a first subset of the plurality of channels as uplink channels and a second subset of the plurality of channels as downlink channels for use in virtual segmentation; as well as Communication between the network controller and the endpoint device is performed via the multiple channels using a coaxial cable. Based at least in part on uplink and downlink channel requirements, a first subset of the plurality of channels is designated as an uplink channel, and a second subset of the plurality of channels is designated as a downlink channel.

2. The apparatus as described in claim 1, The code rate and modulation scheme for one or more of the plurality of channels are selected based on the attenuation level associated with the frequency sub-band of the corresponding channel.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, Furthermore, the designation of a first subset of the plurality of channels as uplink channels and a second subset of the plurality of channels as downlink channels are performed, at least in part based on the availability of uplink and downlink channels.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, The sub-bands of the plurality of channels are selected to extend to the upper band edge of the coaxial cable.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, The sub-bands of the plurality of channels are selected to increase the channel utilization of the frequency range.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the virtual repeater station to: At least in part, based on one or more of the following, a new first subset of the plurality of channels is dynamically reassigned as uplink channels and a new second subset of the plurality of channels is reassigned as downlink channels: Current traffic situation; and The signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) associated with the communication between the network controller and the endpoint device.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, The dynamic reassignment of a new first subset and a new second subset is performed periodically at predetermined intervals.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, The dynamic reassignment of the new first subset and the new second subset is performed on a per-frame basis.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the virtual repeater station to: A third subset of the plurality of channels is designated as an exclusion and / or guard band.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions executable to cause a virtual repeater station located between an endpoint device and a cable head end: Multiple channels within a specified frequency range are defined by a virtual repeater station, each of which includes a separate frequency sub-band within the frequency range, wherein the separate frequency sub-band is selected to occur at a frequency higher than the highest frequency utilized by the Data Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) plus a guard interval. The virtual repeater station designates a first subset of the plurality of channels as uplink channels and a second subset of the plurality of channels as downlink channels for communication with the endpoint device. as well as Communication between the network controller and the endpoint device is performed by utilizing the multiple channels. Based at least in part on uplink and downlink channel requirements, a first subset of the plurality of channels is designated as an uplink channel, and a second subset of the plurality of channels is designated as a downlink channel.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in claim 10, The communication between the network controller and the endpoint device includes performing analog-to-digital conversion for the uplink and downlink channels, followed by digital-to-analog conversion.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 10, Furthermore, the designation of a first subset of the plurality of channels as uplink channels and a second subset of the plurality of channels as downlink channels are performed, at least in part based on the availability of uplink and downlink channels.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the program instructions are further executable to cause the virtual repeater station to: At least in part, based on one or more of the following, a new first subset of the plurality of channels is dynamically reassigned as uplink channels and a new second subset of the plurality of channels is reassigned as downlink channels: Current traffic situation; and The signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) associated with the communication between the network controller and the endpoint device.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, The dynamic reassignment of a new first subset and a new second subset is performed periodically at predetermined intervals.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, The dynamic reassignment of the new first subset and the new second subset is performed on a per-frame basis.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the program instructions are further executable to cause the virtual repeater station to: A third subset of the plurality of channels is designated as an exclusion and / or guard band.

17. A virtual repeater station, comprising: Non-transitory computer-readable storage media; One or more processors coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the virtual repeater station is located between the endpoint device and the cable head end, wherein the virtual repeater station is configured to: Multiple channels within a specified frequency range, wherein each of the multiple channels comprises a separate frequency sub-band within the frequency range, wherein the separate frequency sub-band is selected to occur at a frequency higher than the highest frequency utilized by the Data Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) plus a guard interval. A first subset of the plurality of channels is designated as uplink channels and a second subset of the plurality of channels is designated as downlink channels for use in virtual segmentation; as well as Communication between the network controller and the endpoint device is performed via the multiple channels using a coaxial cable. Based at least in part on uplink and downlink channel requirements, a first subset of the plurality of channels is designated as an uplink channel, and a second subset of the plurality of channels is designated as a downlink channel.

18. The virtual repeater station according to claim 17, The code rate and modulation scheme for one or more of the plurality of channels are selected based on the attenuation level associated with the frequency sub-band of the corresponding channel.

19. The virtual repeater station according to claim 17 further includes: A radio device coupled to one or more processors, wherein the virtual repeater station is further configured to: The radio device is used to host a wireless assisted service, wherein the wireless assisted service provides one or both of wired-to-wireless and wireless-to-wired communication interoperability.

20. The virtual repeater station according to claim 19, The wireless assistance service mentioned above includes one of the following: WiFi hotspot; Small cellular base stations; or Mobile return service.

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