Hybrid Network Rate Adaptation Sublayer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing data transfer between devices using different communication mediums with varying bandwidths, such as copper and fiber optic cables, due to differences in data rates, which existing technologies struggle to address effectively.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a hybrid communication network that uses both copper and fiber optic mediums with a rate adaptation sublayer to manage data flow by applying buffering and flow control techniques, allowing for asymmetric data rates and enabling communication using a layered protocol like Ethernet, with copper providing a redundant path and lower costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If fiber optic cables are used for high bandwidth communication, then transmission speed is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines fiber optic cables and copper lines into a hybrid communication network. The fiber optic portion provides high-speed downstream communication, while copper lines provide upstream communication and redundancy. This merging allows the system to achieve high transmission speeds where needed while reducing overall cost by using cheaper copper for less demanding directions and scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If copper lines are used for communication, then cost is reduced, but transmission speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidtransmission speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different communication media with different qualities to different directions and scenarios. Fiber optic cables with high transmission speed are used for downstream communication where high bandwidth is needed, while copper lines with lower cost and adequate speed are used for upstream communication. This local differentiation optimizes both cost and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If asymmetric data rates are implemented between different communication mediums, then cost-optimization is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-optimizationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rate adaptation sublayer as an intermediary between the physical layer and data link layer. This sublayer mediates the data flow between fiber optic and copper line interfaces with different data rates. It performs buffering, flow control, and rate adaptation functions, managing the complexity of asymmetric data rates while enabling cost-optimized hybrid network operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7809834B2Methods, systems, and computer program products for communicating using a hybrid physical network

Publication Date: 2010.10.05 ADTRAN NETWORKS SE

AI summary

Network communication is provided by communicatively coupling a first device with a second device using first and second communication mediums having different bandwidths associated therewith. A communication session is established between the first and the second device so as to transfer data between the first and second devices using the first and second communication mediums. Data is transferred over the first communication medium using a first data rate and data is transferred over the second communication medium using a second data rate that is different than the first data rate. The data is processed at one or both of the first and second devices to account for the difference between the first and second data rates.