EPoC Coaxial Convergence Layer Scheduling Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for methods and systems to provide end-to-end fiber to coaxial upstream and downstream transmissions in Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) over Coaxial (EPoC) architecture, while maintaining Quality of Service (QOS) and Service Level Agreement (SLA) from Optical Line Terminal (OLT) to Coaxial Network Units (CNUs, with existing solutions experiencing higher delay and management overhead due to two-stage scheduling.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a coaxial convergence layer that decomposes and assembles data packets, protects transmissions from impairments, modulates data according to a coaxial physical layer, and interfaces with an electrical medium, along with a method that translates Multi-Point Control Protocol (MPCP) messages into Media Allocation Plans (MAP) for bandwidth allocation, supporting dynamic bit loading and adaptive timing adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two-stage scheduling is used to provide end-to-end fiber to coaxial transmissions, then bandwidth allocation and QOS management are achieved, but transmission delay and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical domain scheduling (MPCP) and coaxial domain scheduling (MAP) into a unified single-stage scheduling mechanism. The OLT directly generates coaxial MAP messages that are translated from MPCP gate messages, eliminating the intermediate buffering and re-scheduling stage. This integration reduces transmission delay while maintaining QOS management capabilities through the unified scheduling framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a scheduling translation mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the optical MPCP protocol and the coaxial MAP protocol. This translation layer converts MPCP gate messages into corresponding MAP messages with appropriate PRB allocations, enabling direct end-to-end scheduling without requiring a separate coaxial scheduling stage, thus reducing delay while preserving QOS control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two-stage scheduling is implemented for bandwidth allocation, then resource management is achieved, but management overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bandwidth allocation functions of both optical and coaxial domains into a single scheduling operation at the OLT. By integrating the scheduling translation mechanism, the system maintains adaptive bandwidth allocation capabilities while reducing management overhead through the elimination of separate scheduling processes and intermediate buffering operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The scheduling translation mechanism performs multiple functions simultaneously: it translates MPCP gate messages to MAP messages, allocates PRBs for coaxial transmissions, manages QOS parameters, and controls bandwidth distribution. This multi-functional approach reduces management overhead by consolidating what would otherwise require separate dedicated mechanisms for each scheduling stage.
3Ease of operation
If conventional EPON MAC layer transmission is used over coaxial network, then Ethernet frame transmission is achieved, but transmission impairments and timing synchronization issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission protocol into distinct layers: the EPON MAC layer handles Ethernet frame formatting and addressing, while the coaxial convergence layer handles physical transmission specifics including PRB allocation, timing synchronization, and impairment compensation. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize for its specific function, maintaining ease of Ethernet operation while ensuring reliable transmission over the coaxial medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The coaxial convergence layer acts as an intermediary between the EPON MAC layer and the physical coaxial transmission medium. It translates MAC layer data into coaxial-appropriate formats, applies timing adjustments, allocates PRBs, and compensates for transmission impairments, thereby preserving ease of Ethernet operation while ensuring reliable transmission quality over the coaxial network.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a data framer comprising a physical layer protocol stack comprising a coax convergence layer, a coax framing layer next to the convergence layer, wherein the coax framing layer is configured to decompose and assemble data packets in a coax network, a coax coding layer next to the coax frame layer, wherein the coax coding layer is configured to protect the coax transmissions from impairments, a coax modulation layer next to the coax coding layer, wherein the coax modulation layer is configured to modulate the data according to a coax physical layer (PHY), and a radio frequency layer next to the coax modulation layer and configured to interface to an electrical medium for a coaxial network.