Full Duplex Ranging via Preliminary Fine Ranging and Sounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Full Duplex DOCSIS systems face challenges in efficiently initializing new cable modems with minimal disruption to existing networks, as traditional ranging and sounding methods can cause spurious interference and prolonged registration times, leading to network downtime and reduced data rates.
Innovation Solution
A seven-step procedure for a cable modem controller that performs ranging-first full duplex operations, minimizing resource block assignment changes, by using fine ranging and sounding signals at optimized power levels, allowing for rapid registration and reduced interference, with the ability to identify interference groups and bits/symbols for full duplex operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ranging and sounding methods are used during CM registration in Full Duplex systems, then the CM can be initialized and registered in the network, but spurious interference is generated and registration time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing fine ranging operations before sounding operations during CM registration. The CMTS first executes upstream fine ranging to establish accurate timing and distance measurements, then proceeds with sounding. This sequencing ensures that ranging completes with minimal disruption to existing traffic before sounding begins, reducing spurious interference generation while maintaining reliable registration.
2Reliability
If traditional ranging and sounding methods are used during CM registration, then the CM can be initialized, but network downtime increases and data rates are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs fine ranging as a preliminary step before sounding during CM registration. By completing the time-critical ranging operation first with optimized resource allocation, the system establishes the CM's timing and distance parameters quickly, then proceeds with less time-sensitive sounding operations. This reduces overall registration time and minimizes network downtime while ensuring reliable initialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically allocates resource blocks (RBAs) during the registration process, transitioning from RBA mode 1 to mode 2 as needed. This dynamic resource management allows the system to optimize bandwidth allocation for ranging operations when they are most time-critical, then adjust resources for sounding and data transmission phases, minimizing impact on ongoing network traffic and reducing registration time.
3Productivity
If full duplex operation is implemented in the 108 MHz to 684 MHz band, then high-bandwidth data transfer is achieved, but interference management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 108 MHz to 684 MHz frequency band into multiple sub-bands for Full Duplex operation. Each sub-band can be independently managed with specific interference group assignments and resource block allocations. This segmentation allows the system to handle interference on a per-sub-band basis rather than across the entire spectrum, reducing management complexity while maintaining high overall bandwidth utilization for data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different interference group configurations and resource block modes to different sub-bands based on their specific interference characteristics and traffic requirements. Each sub-band can be optimized independently with appropriate RBA mode selections (mode 1 or mode 2) and IG assignments, allowing tailored interference management for each frequency segment while achieving high aggregate data transfer rates across the full band.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method perform fine ranging on a plurality of cable modems in a network and distribute results. A CMTS grants access to a full duplex ranging probe to the plurality of cable modems, and probe results are distributed to the plurality of cable modems. A receive modulation error ratio (RxMER) uploaded from respective of the plurality of cable modems, and the CMTS identifies an interference group (IG) and bits/symbol for the plurality of cable moderns in a given sub-band. Full duplex operation is then performed in the given sub-band with known IG and bits/symbol.