Cable Modem Merging for Shared Access Carrier Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DOCSIS compliant shared access carrier networks, such as hybrid fiber coaxial networks, are limited by the number of upstream time slots, restricting the number of cable modems that can register and communicate, which is inadequate for the growing demand for broadband access due to the rapid expansion of internet usage.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves reducing the number of upstream time slots needed by allowing cable modems to communicate directly with each other over a local area network (LAN), with a subset of cable modems serving as master devices, and optimizing the use of Service IDs (SIDs) to increase the number of connected devices without requiring hardware upgrades, thereby reducing collisions and resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of upstream time slots is increased to accommodate more cable modems, then the network capacity and number of connected devices increase, but the system complexity and resource management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cable modems into a single logical entity by allowing them to share a Service ID and communicate through a designated master modem. This merging approach enables multiple physical devices to access the network through a unified interface, effectively increasing network capacity without proportionally increasing system complexity. The master modem consolidates the communication burden, managing upstream slots for multiple slaved modems collectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single Service ID to serve multiple cable modems simultaneously. The Service ID, traditionally assigned to one modem, now functions as a shared identifier for a group of modems working together. This universal usage of Service IDs allows the system to accommodate more devices without requiring proportional increases in unique resource allocations, thereby reducing system complexity while expanding capacity.
2Productivity
If more upstream time slots are allocated to support growing internet usage, then broadband access capacity increases, but the available bandwidth for other services decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cable modems into a single logical communication entity that shares upstream time slots. By allowing multiple modems to be represented by one Service ID and coordinated through a master modem, the system achieves higher broadband access capacity without proportionally increasing upstream slot allocations. This consolidation maintains available bandwidth for other services while expanding effective network capacity.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of Service IDs is increased to accommodate more cable modems, then more devices can register with the network, but hardware upgrades are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes Service IDs universal by allowing a single Service ID to be shared among multiple cable modems. This multi-functional usage of Service IDs eliminates the need to create new Service IDs for additional modems, thereby accommodating more registered devices without requiring hardware upgrades to the CMTS or network infrastructure. The existing Service ID pool is充分利用ed through shared assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the Service ID resource by allowing its reuse across multiple modems. Instead of requiring unique Service IDs for each modem (which would necessitate hardware upgrades), the system copies the Service ID assignment to multiple devices, with coordination handled by the master-slave architecture. This virtual replication of Service ID usage expands device capacity without physical hardware changes.
4Ease of operation
If cable modems communicate through the CMTS using traditional upstream slots, then network management is simplified, but the number of collisions increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cable modems into a single logical entity that communicates with the CMTS through one representative interface. This consolidation reduces the number of independent upstream transmissions from multiple modems to a single coordinated transmission, thereby reducing collisions while maintaining simplified network management. The master modem handles all CMTS communications for the group, eliminating inter-modem conflicts on the shared medium.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting and receiving data over a shared access carrier network with a plurality of user devices is provided. The user devices each have a modem associated therewith and a network interface for communicating over a local network. The method begins by transmitting a query from each one of the user devices over the local network requesting remaining ones of the plurality of user devices to specify available resources pertaining to shared access carrier network connectivity capabilities of the modem associated therewith. A reply is received over the local network in response to the query from each of the remaining user devices. Based on the replies from each of the remaining user devices, at least one of the user devices is selected to serve as a master device that provides connectivity to the shared access carrier system through which the other of the plurality of user devices transmit and receive data.