EPOC MAC Layer Integration for Hybrid Fiber Coax Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) technologies are limited to pure optical fiber networks, preventing the full exploitation of packet processing capabilities, quality of service functions, and management features in hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) networks.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an EPON MAC layer with a coaxial media converter (CMC) enables end-to-end connectivity and unified provisioning and management across both fiber and coaxial networks, leveraging existing EPON capabilities in hybrid EPON-Ethernet Passive Optical Network Over Coax (EPOC) architectures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If EPON MAC layer functions are implemented only over pure optical fiber networks, then packet processing capabilities and quality of service functions can be provided, but the network cannot be extended to hybrid fiber coaxial architectures and requires separate management architectures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified EPON MAC layer that operates across both optical fiber and coaxial cable media through media converters. The MAC layer functions (packet processing, QoS, management) are made universal by translating physical layer differences while maintaining the same MAC protocol, allowing a single management architecture to control hybrid HFC networks without requiring separate fiber and coaxial management systems.
2Ease of operation
If separate management architectures are used for fiber and coaxial networks, then each network type can be managed independently, but unified provisioning and management across hybrid networks becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of fiber and coaxial networks into a single unified EPON MAC layer architecture. Media converters bridge the physical layer differences between optical fiber and coaxial cable, allowing the same MAC layer to manage both network types through a single control plane, thereby simplifying provisioning and eliminating the need for separate management systems.
3Reliability
If existing EPON capabilities are restricted to pure optical fiber networks, then the EPON MAC layer can provide packet processing and QoS functions, but the network cannot leverage existing coaxial infrastructure and requires new infrastructure deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces media converters as intermediary devices that translate between optical fiber signals and coaxial cable signals while maintaining EPON MAC layer functionality. These converters enable existing EPON packet processing and QoS capabilities to operate over hybrid fiber-coaxial networks, allowing operators to leverage existing coaxial infrastructure rather than deploying new all-fiber networks, thereby reducing infrastructure costs.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention exploit the existing capabilities of the Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) MAC layer, designed for fiber optics communications, to provide a low cost MAC layer with upper layer connectivity over a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network. In particular, embodiments allow for the EPON MAC to be used end-to-end (i.e., from an optical line terminal (OLT) to a coaxial network unit (CNU)) in a HFC network, thereby fully leveraging the packet processing capabilities, QoS functions, and management features of the EPON MAC. Furthermore, embodiments enable unified provisioning and management for both fiber and coaxial network units in a HFC network.