HFC Scheduling Packet Bandwidth Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network systems, the transmission of scheduling packets for uplink data allocation consumes significant bandwidth, leading to a reduction in downlink data transmission efficiency, especially when a large number of uplink transmission requests are received, as the existing methods require broadcasting scheduling packets on a fixed downlink channel.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust the quantity of information elements (IEs) in scheduling packets based on a control threshold, allowing for the allocation of resource allocation information to multiple uplink transmission requests within a single scheduling packet, thereby reducing the overall bandwidth required for scheduling packet transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the network device allocates transmission resources to multiple user equipments by including multiple information elements in scheduling packets, then the uplink resource allocation capability is improved, but the transmission bandwidth of scheduling packets increases, which reduces the downlink data transmission bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scheduling packet transmission into multiple periods. Information elements are distributed across different scheduling packet transmission periods rather than including all IEs in a single packet. This segmentation reduces the bandwidth occupation of individual scheduling packets while maintaining the capability to allocate resources to multiple user equipments across different time periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the quantity of information elements in scheduling packets based on system conditions. The network device dynamically determines whether to include IEs for current or future uplink periods based on current bandwidth conditions, making the scheduling packet content adaptive rather than fixed. This dynamic approach allows the system to balance uplink resource allocation needs with downlink data transmission requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the system provides a fixed total bandwidth for the downlink channel, then the channel stability is improved, but the bandwidth available for downlink data transmission is reduced when scheduling packets are transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic bandwidth allocation within the fixed total bandwidth framework. The network device dynamically adjusts the proportion of bandwidth allocated to scheduling packets versus downlink data based on system conditions. When uplink resource allocation needs are high, more bandwidth is temporarily allocated to scheduling packets; when downlink data transmission needs are high, less bandwidth is allocated to scheduling packets. This dynamic adjustment maintains overall channel stability while optimizing instantaneous transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic transmission of scheduling packets with different information element contents. Instead of continuously transmitting full scheduling packets, the system transmits scheduling packets periodically with selectively included IEs based on current needs. This periodic action with variable content reduces the average bandwidth occupation by scheduling packets while maintaining their essential function of resource allocation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the scheduling packet includes information elements for current and future uplink periods, then the forward compatibility is improved, but the transmission bandwidth of the scheduling packet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments information elements for different uplink periods into separate transmission groups. IEs for current uplink periods and future uplink periods are transmitted in different scheduling packet instances rather than bundled together. This segmentation maintains forward compatibility by providing future resource allocation information while reducing the bandwidth occupation of individual scheduling packets through temporal distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary transmission of scheduling packets with forward compatibility information. By transmitting IEs for future uplink periods in advance across different periods, the system prepares user equipments for upcoming resource allocations without requiring all future IEs to be transmitted simultaneously. This preliminary action approach maintains adaptability while managing bandwidth requirements over time.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a scheduling packet. The method is applied to an HFC network system. The method includes: determining, by a network device, a transmission bandwidth of a first scheduling packet, where the first scheduling packet includes an IE used to carry resource allocation information for a first uplink period, and the resource allocation information for the first uplink period is used to indicate a transmission resource to be used by user equipment to send uplink data in the first uplink period; determining a target quantity according to a first control threshold when the transmission bandwidth of the first scheduling packet is greater than or equal to the first control threshold, where the target quantity is less than or equal to a quantity of IEs included in the first scheduling packet; and generating a second scheduling packet according to the target quantity, where a quantity of IEs included in the second scheduling packet is less than the target quantity, the second scheduling packet includes an IE used to carry resource allocation information for a second uplink period, and the second uplink period follows the first uplink period. Therefore, downlink data transmission is less affected by a scheduling packet, downlink bandwidth usage is improved, and system performance is improved.