Distributed DOCSIS Channel Bonding for IP Video Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IP video delivery systems over DOCSIS 3.0 face challenges in efficiently allocating bandwidth across multiple devices, leading to potential packet loss and suboptimal utilization of available channels, especially as the demand for IP video services scales and channels are spread across various devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses multiple logical DOCSIS 3.0 bonding groups, each controlled by a separate CMTS or DIBA entity, with an instantaneous load balancing algorithm to dynamically allocate bandwidth across downstream channels on multiple devices, allowing for flexible sizing of bonding groups and efficient traffic forwarding between CMTS and edge devices using DEPI tunnels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple bonded channels are used for IP video delivery, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but device complexity increases due to coordination across multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bonding group management into multiple logical bonding groups, each controlled by a different device (CMTS or EQAM). This allows bandwidth capacity to be distributed across multiple devices while maintaining independent control planes, thereby reducing coordination complexity while preserving the aggregate bandwidth benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of control by allowing multiple devices to each maintain their own bonding group sequence numbers and control planes. Instead of a single centralized control plane, the system operates in a multi-dimensional control space where each device independently manages its portion of the bonded channels.
2Reliability
If instantaneous load balancing is implemented across a single bonding group, then packet loss is reduced, but adaptability decreases when channels are spread across multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates multiple logical bonding groups that can function independently yet collectively provide the same IP video delivery service. Each bonding group can be controlled by different devices (CMTS or EQAM), making the system universally adaptable to various deployment scenarios while maintaining reliable packet delivery through load balancing within each bonding group.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic allocation of bonding groups to different devices based on current network conditions and device capabilities. The system can dynamically determine which device controls which bonding group, allowing flexible adaptation to changing conditions while maintaining load balancing and reducing packet loss within each bonding group.
3Ease of operation
If CMTS controls all bonding groups, then control simplicity is improved, but resource utilization decreases when edge devices have available capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of CMTS and EQAM by allowing both devices to control bonding groups. Instead of one device controlling all bonding groups, the system combines the control capabilities of multiple devices, enabling each to utilize its available channel capacity while maintaining coordinated operation through the bonding group framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables edge devices (EQAM) to independently control bonding groups and make scheduling decisions for their own downstream channels. This self-service capability allows edge devices to autonomously utilize their available capacity without requiring centralized CMTS control, thereby improving overall channel utilization efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method receives IP packets on a first device for delivery as DOCSIS packets over a DOCSIS interface, each DOCSIS packet encapsulating IP data from the IP packets, and including a sequence number that the first device generates for a bonding group. The method delivers first DOCSIS packets to a DOCSIS device using first downstream channels on the first device that are associated with the bonding group. When the first downstream channels exceed a capacity, the method determines an available capacity of second downstream channels on a second device that are associated with the bonding group, identifies second DOCSIS packets that do not exceed the available capacity, and forwards the second DOCSIS packets to the second device, which delivers the second DOCSIS packets to the DOCSIS device using the second downstream channels.