Cable Network Bandwidth Allocation for LTE Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cable network communications systems face interference from LTE devices, leading to unreliable bandwidth usage, especially in frequency bands used for downstream signaling, which is undesirable due to increasing internet traffic demands.
Innovation Solution
Allocate channels subject to cellular network interference for communicating data using protocols that support retry mechanisms, such as TCP/IP, and protect these channels with higher levels of packet interleaving and error correction, while reserving other channels for broadcast video without retry mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If bandwidth in frequency bands subject to cellular interference (e.g., 700-860 MHz) is used for downstream signaling, then available bandwidth for internet traffic increases, but communication reliability deteriorates due to LTE device interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments downstream traffic into two categories: broadcast video traffic (without retry mechanism) and TCP/IP traffic (with retry mechanism). It further segments channels into interference-prone channels (700-860 MHz bands) and non-interference channels. This segmentation allows selective application of error correction and interleaving only where needed, maximizing bandwidth utilization while maintaining reliability for critical traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality levels of error correction and interleaving to different channels based on their interference characteristics. Channels in the 700-860 MHz bands receive higher levels of error correction coding and interleaving due to their susceptibility to LTE interference, while channels outside these bands receive standard protection levels. This local quality adjustment optimizes the balance between bandwidth efficiency and communication reliability.
2Reliability
If higher levels of error correction and interleaving are applied to interference-prone channels, then communication reliability improves, but processing complexity and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments error correction and interleaving processing to apply higher levels only to channels in the 700-860 MHz bands that are prone to LTE interference, while using standard processing levels for channels outside these bands. This selective approach maintains communication reliability for interference-prone channels without unnecessarily increasing processing complexity for all channels.
3Productivity
If channels subject to cellular interference are used for TCP/IP traffic with retry mechanisms, then bandwidth utilization improves, but transmission time increases due to error correction and interleaving processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments TCP/IP traffic handling based on channel type: for interference-prone channels (700-860 MHz), it applies higher error correction and interleaving which increases transmission time but ensures reliability; for non-interference channels, it uses standard processing with faster transmission. This segmentation optimizes overall bandwidth utilization by enabling productive use of previously unsuitable frequency bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts error correction and interleaving parameters based on detected LTE interference levels. When interference is detected on a channel, the system increases error correction and interleaving levels, accepting higher transmission time in exchange for maintained reliability. When interference is absent or low, the system reduces these parameters to minimize transmission time, thereby optimizing the trade-off between bandwidth utilization and transmission speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for using communications channels corresponding to frequency bands subject to cellular network, e.g., LTE, interference and/or other interference are described. The methods are well suited for use of cable networks where communications over a coax cable or via cable device may be subject to LTE interference. In various embodiments data traffic is classified based on whether the traffic corresponds to a protocol that supports a retry communications mechanism in the event of a communication error, the type of traffic data and/or the priority of the traffic data. In some embodiments data being communicated using a protocol which supports a retry mechanism are routed over channels subject to interference even if, in some cases, the packets correspond to data which has a higher priority or QoS requirements than packets, e.g., best effort packets, which are transmitted using a protocol that does not support a packet retry mechanism.