Multi-Carrier Transmission With Adaptive Modulation for Mixed CPE Capabilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-carrier transmission systems, such as DOCSIS, are inefficient as they tailor data signals to the lowest common denominator of receiving devices, underutilizing higher performing devices and reducing system efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid multi-carrier transmission system that includes a control data portion for synchronization and a user data portion tailored to individual device capabilities, allowing for adaptive modulation orders based on device performance and network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the data signal is tailored to the lowest common denominator of receiving devices, then all CPE devices can receive the signal, but higher performing devices cannot utilize their capabilities and system efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission signal is divided into multiple subcarriers, each capable of carrying data at different modulation orders. This segmentation allows the system to transmit data at higher rates to capable devices while maintaining compatibility with lower-capability devices, thereby resolving the contradiction between universal compatibility and system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different subcarriers are assigned different modulation orders tailored to the capabilities of individual CPE devices. This local quality approach allows each device to receive data at the appropriate modulation level for its capabilities, maximizing system efficiency while ensuring all devices can receive the signal.
2Reliability
If a continuous signal is transmitted for all CPE devices, then synchronization and keep-alive are maintained, but data transmission efficiency is reduced due to lowest common denominator constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous signal is segmented into multiple subcarriers, with at least one subcarrier dedicated to control data for synchronization and keep-alive functions. Other subcarriers can carry user data at higher modulation orders, thereby maintaining synchronization reliability while improving data transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous signal structure is preserved for universal compatibility and synchronization purposes, while the multi-carrier approach enables additional data transmission capabilities. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain reliability while enhancing productivity.
3Productivity
If higher modulation orders are used for capable devices, then data transmission efficiency is maximized, but signal integrity may be compromised for devices with poorer reception conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system assigns different modulation orders to different subcarriers based on the capabilities and reception conditions of individual CPE devices. This local quality approach allows higher modulation orders to be used where signal integrity is maintained, while falling back to lower modulation orders for devices with poorer reception conditions, thereby balancing efficiency and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-carrier transmission system configured to enable variable modulation order reception is contemplated. The system may be configured to facilitate delivery of high-speed data (HSD) over frequency division duplexing (FDD) and/or time division duplexing (TDD) infrastructures to a plurality of receiving devices. Signaling used to facilitate delivery of the HSD may be selectively and dynamically modulated according to performance capabilities of the receiving devices for a given transmission interval.