Adaptive Synchronous Media Access Protocol for HomePNA Networks

Solution Overview

Problem

Home Phoneline Networking Association (HomePNA) technologies, such as HPNA-2, fail to provide quality of service (QoS) guarantees for modem services like telephony, video, and audio, and lack interoperability with future generations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a shared media network environment with synchronous media access protocols, where nodes can use either synchronous or asynchronous protocols, and a master node manages network admission, bandwidth allocation, scheduling, and collision resolution to ensure QoS, while allowing interoperability with HPNA-2 nodes through encapsulation and special signaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If asynchronous priority-based protocol (HPNA-2) is used for media access, then ease of operation and interoperability are maintained, but quality of service guarantees and reliability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between asynchronous and synchronous media access modes based on QoS requirements. Asynchronous mode is used for legacy compatibility, while synchronous mode provides deterministic QoS guarantees for time-sensitive applications like telephony and video.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The protocol changes key parameters including media access timing, bandwidth allocation, and collision resolution mechanisms. Synchronous mode uses fixed time slots and predetermined transmission schedules, whereas asynchronous mode uses dynamic contention-based access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If synchronous media access protocol is implemented to provide QoS guarantees, then reliability and QoS are improved, but device complexity and protocol management increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network is segmented into a master node that performs complex scheduling and bandwidth management, and slave nodes that execute predetermined transmission schedules. This segmentation centralizes complexity in the master node while simplifying individual slave node implementations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The master node performs preliminary bandwidth allocation and collision-free scheduling before actual data transmission. Transmission opportunities are pre-assigned to nodes based on their QoS requirements, eliminating the need for complex real-time collision resolution during data transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If synchronous protocol with master node control is used, then bandwidth allocation and scheduling precision are improved, but loss of time for coordination and setup increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes continuous periodic transmission cycles where the master node broadcasts scheduling information and slave nodes execute transmissions without interruption. This continuous operation minimizes coordination overhead by maintaining persistent synchronization rather than establishing connections repeatedly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The master node periodically broadcasts medium access plans that allocate transmission opportunities for the entire cycle. Nodes synchronize to these periodic broadcasts and execute their predetermined transmissions, creating a rhythm that minimizes coordination overhead while maintaining precise bandwidth allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Adaptability or versatility

If dual mode operation (synchronous and asynchronous) is supported, then adaptability and interoperability are improved, but device complexity and protocol management increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The media access controller is designed with multi-functionality to operate in both synchronous and asynchronous modes. The same hardware infrastructure supports both HPNA-2 legacy nodes and new QoS-requiring nodes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware for each protocol type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The master node acts as an intermediary that translates between synchronous and asynchronous protocol requirements. It manages the coexistence of HPNA-2 nodes using asynchronous CSMA/CD and QoS nodes using synchronous scheduled access, mediating their interactions on the shared medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7724764B2Adaptive synchronous media access protocol for shared media networks

Publication Date: 2010.05.25

AI summary

In some embodiments of the present invention, asynchronous network nodes and synchronous network nodes coexist on a shared media network.