Digital Load-Sharing for CATV Upconverter Channel Redundancy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CATV upconversion systems lack dynamic channel reassignment, failover speed, and efficient aggregation of channel capacity, leading to data loss and service interruptions.

Innovation Solution

A digital load-sharing apparatus with a data bus connecting processing blocks for arbitrary channel distribution, enabling rapid and glitchless failover, mixing of QAM and CATV channels, and fine-grained channel mapping across multiple ports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If external RF switching is used to combine upconverted channel groups, then channel combination is achieved, but dynamic reassignment of channels to upconversion paths is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic channel reassignmentVSAvoidswitching complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical RF switching with digital signal processing. A digital switch fabric routes channel data between processing blocks and upconversion paths in the digital domain, eliminating the need for complex external RF switches while enabling dynamic reassignment through software control of the digital routing matrix.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic channel reassignment through a reconfigurable digital switch fabric that can dynamically alter routing paths based on real-time requirements. The system allows channels to be dynamically assigned to different upconversion paths using digital routing control, providing adaptability without mechanical switching complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If redundant upconversion modules are used for failover, then service redundancy is provided, but failover speed is slow causing data loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailover capabilityVSAvoidfailover time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by maintaining hot-standby processing blocks that are pre-configured and ready to immediately assume channel processing upon failure detection. The digital switch fabric is pre-configured with alternate routing paths, enabling instantaneous failover without the delays associated with traditional module switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical module switching with digital signal routing. When failover is required, the digital switch fabric electronically redirects channel data from the failed processing block to a standby processing block through the digital domain, achieving rapid failover without the mechanical switching delays and data loss inherent in traditional approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple upconversion paths are used, then transmission bandwidth needs are met, but aggregation of total channel capacity to one port is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel capacity aggregationVSAvoiddistribution architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements merging by providing digital output adders that combine the outputs of multiple upconversion paths. The digital switch fabric routes channel data from multiple processing blocks through the data bus to a single output port, where the adders sum the signals. This enables aggregation of total channel capacity from multiple upconversion paths to one output port while maintaining manageable architectural complexity through modular digital processing blocks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8717870B2Digital load-sharing to enhance the redundancy and flexibility of channel distribution in a multiple-channel multiple-port CATV upconverter/modulator

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 VECIMA NETWORKS INC

AI summary

A method of channel-to-port assignment is described where the distribution of channels is performed in the digital domain of the CATV/QAM upconverter/modulator. This channel distribution allows for the possibility of simple failover, power combining of multiple outputs, and a fine granularity of channel to port mapping, QAM or analog channel, in a multi-port device.