Cable Modem Upstream Transmission Pre-processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In DOCSIS cable communication systems, upstream data communication is often bandwidth limited due to the prevalence of downstream data transmission, leading to inefficiencies in the use of available bandwidth for upstream data transfer.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a direct bursting processing mechanism where data is pre-processed and stored in a 'ready-to-go' format in memory before transmission permission is granted, allowing for immediate transmission once permission is allocated, thereby maximizing the use of allocated bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is processed on-the-fly during transmission, then transmission flexibility is maintained, but transmission efficiency deteriorates due to processing time consuming allocated bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing data into ready-to-go frames before transmission permission is granted. The cable modem prepares data frames in advance and stores them in memory, so that when transmission permission is received, the data is already formatted and ready for immediate transmission, eliminating processing time during the allocated transmission window.
2Productivity
If more bandwidth is allocated for downstream communication, then downstream transmission quality improves, but upstream bandwidth availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maximizes the utilization of limited upstream bandwidth by pre-preparing data frames in advance. This ensures that when upstream transmission permission is granted, the entire allocated bandwidth is used efficiently for data transfer rather than being wasted on processing delays, thereby optimizing the limited upstream capacity.
3Speed
If data frames are prepared during transmission window, then transmission simplicity is maintained, but transmission speed decreases due to processing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates data preparation into a preliminary phase before transmission permission is granted. The cable modem prepares and formats data frames in advance during periods when transmission permission is not active, then stores them in memory. When transmission permission is received, the system simply retrieves and transmits the pre-prepared frames, significantly increasing transmission speed while maintaining manageable complexity through clear separation of preparation and transmission phases.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for improved upstream data transmission. In an embodiment, a cable modem includes a transceiver configured for transmitting data upstream once permission is granted. In between times when permission to transmit is granted, however, the cable modem is configured to prepare as much data as possible for immediate upstream transmission once that very permission is granted. Thus, prior to permission being granted, the cable modem assembles (pre-processes) the data into transmit frames such that the data frames may be stored in a local memory coupled to the transceiver in a “ready-to-go” format. In this manner, the entire amount of time/bandwidth allocated to the cable modem in response to its request for upstream data transmission may be dedicated to actually transmitting data upstream as opposed to consuming time and bandwidth processing the data into data frames after upstream data transmission has been granted.