Full-Duplex DOCSIS 3.1 Spectrum Management for Upstream Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cable network users experience issues such as congestion, speed losses, pricing spikes, and service interruptions due to limitations in current cable modem systems, particularly in upstream data transmission, which affect the overall user experience.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a full-duplex DOCSIS 3.1 network architecture that enables simultaneous upstream and downstream data transmission across the same spectrum, using techniques like orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and resource block allocation to manage interference and increase upstream capacity, while disabling sounding and resource block allocation in specific spectrum portions to simplify network architecture and reduce the need for amplifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If full-duplex DOCSIS 3.1 network architecture is implemented to enable simultaneous upstream and downstream data transmission, then upstream capacity increases significantly, but network complexity and interference management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupstream capacityVSAvoidnetwork complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spectrum is divided into multiple resource blocks that can be dynamically allocated for upstream or downstream transmission. This segmentation allows simultaneous full-duplex operation while managing interference through selective resource block assignment in different frequency segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network employs dynamic resource block allocation where the spectrum configuration can change over time based on traffic demands. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize upstream capacity while managing downstream requirements, resolving the contradiction between increased productivity and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If sounding and resource block allocation are disabled in specific spectrum portions, then network architecture is simplified and amplifier requirements are reduced, but spectrum utilization flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork architecture complexityVSAvoidspectrum utilization flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the spectrum are assigned different operational modes. Some frequency bands disable sounding and resource block allocation for simplified architecture, while other bands maintain full functionality for flexible utilization. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying simplification only where appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of disabling sounding and resource block allocation across the entire spectrum, the system applies this simplification partially to specific spectrum portions. This partial action achieves architecture simplification and reduced amplifier requirements while preserving spectrum utilization flexibility in other bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and resource block allocation are used to manage interference, then upstream capacity increases, but device complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupstream capacityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-service mechanisms where the network automatically performs resource block allocation and interference management without requiring complex external control. This reduces processing complexity while maintaining increased upstream capacity through efficient autonomous spectrum management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11239984B2Systems, methods, and apparatuses for static upstream spectrum in cable networks

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 COX COMMUNICATIONS INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to disabling sounding, resource-block allocation, and various full-duplex (FDX) capabilities in a particular portion of a spectrum used in FDX-enabled cable networks. The disclosure further describes using an upstream mode of communication in the particular portion of the spectrum originally designated for FDX communication. In another aspect, the disclosure can thereby facilitate an increase in upstream capacity on the cable network, for example, a fifteen-fold increase in the upstream capacity. In some embodiments, control messages can be transmitted from a controller node to devices on the network periodically, describing the usage of the FDX portion of the spectrum for upstream transmission. The control messages can include medium access control (MAC) management messages and/or tag-length-value (TLV) messages.